NACOGDOCHES, Texas- The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (5-3, 3-2) defeated the Houston Christian Huskies (3-5, 1-2) by a final score of 55-6 on homecoming night.
Both team’s defenses stood tall to start the game, as each team punted twice on each of their first two offensive drives. The SFA defense would come up huge as Tim Muhammad recorded his first interception of his career, setting the Lumberjacks up at the HCU nine-yard line. SFA was unable to punch it in, but Chris Campos got the Lumberjacks on the board first after a 25-yard field goal put the ‘Jacks up 3-0 with 4:51 to go in the first quarter.
The Lumberjacks would collect their second turnover of the night as the Huskies fumbled the ball on the SFA 12-yard line. The Lumberjacks were unable to sustain the drive and punted the ball back to the Huskies.
SFA would score the game’s first touchdown as Sam Vidlak connected with Jordan Nabors for a 96-yard touchdown pass to extend the ‘Jacks lead 10-0. The 96-yard touchdown pass was the second longest in Lumberjacks history, only behind a 97-yard touchdown pass by Peyton Jones to Mikhael Ricks in 1997.
HCU would cut into the SFA lead with 7:06 remaining in the second quarter with a 37-yard field goal, 10-3.
The ‘Jacks would then strike again as Sam Vidlak found Calyton Wayland over the middle for a 53-yard touchdown to extend the lead, 17-3 with 5:42 left in the second quarter. The touchdown catch and run was Wayland’s first of his collegiate career.
The Huskies would mount a drive of their own and cut into the Lumberjacks lead with 1:49 remaining in the second quarter, 17-6. SFA would extend their lead right before the half as Sam Vidlak connected with Anthony Williams for a 23-yard touchdown pass. It was Vidlak’s 21st touchdown pass this season, putting him 10th all-time for touchdown passes in a season.
At the half, Sam Vidlak led the passing attack as he was 15-for-20 for 251 yards and three touchdowns. Jordan Nabors was the leading receiver with two catches for 99 yards and a touchdown. Jaylen Jenkins led the run game with 11 carries for 43 yards. Jermaine Brown and Trashawn Adams led the defense, each with seven tackles. Tim Muhammad had the first interception of his career in the first half, and Ed Bobino recovered a fumble.
The Lumberjacks received the second-half kick and mounted a nine-play 69-yard touchdown drive capped off as Sam Vidlak connected with Kylon Harris for his fourth passing touchdown of the night, and led 31-6.
SFA would strike again after the defense recorded a tackle for loss and back-to-back sacks to pin the Huskies at the four-yard line and force a punt. Trashawn Adams fielded the punt at the HCU 46 and returned it for a touchdown to extend the Lumberjack’s lead to 38-6. The Lumberjacks would find the endzone yet again as Sam Vidlak connected with Clayton Wayland for his fifth passing touchdown of the night to extend their lead to 45-6. The touchdown was Wayland’s second of the night. The touchdown was also Vidlak’s fifth passing, tying a career-high mark of five set against North American University in the first game of the season.
SFA would extend their lead thanks to a Chris Campos 30-yard field goal, leading 48-6. The Lumberjacks were not done scoring as Gavin Rutherford pulled the handoff and took it 10 yards to the house to extend the lead, 55-6 with 5:41 to go in the fourth quarter. The Lumberjack defense would stand tall after allowing two field goals and did not allow the Huskies to score again.
Player Highlights:
Sam Vidlak: 316 passing yards, five passing touchdowns (ties career high)
Jaylen Jenkins: 110 rushing yards
Jordan Nabors: 108 receiving yards (career high), 96-yard receiving touchdown (second longest in Lumberjacks history)
Clayton Wayland: two receiving touchdowns (first two touchdowns of collegiate career)
Jermaine Brown: eight tackles
Trashawn Adams: one punt return touchdown (first of his career)
Tim Muhammad: one interception (first of career)
Ed Bobino: one fumble recovery
The Lumberjacks will begin a two-game road stint next week as they travel to Nicholls on Saturday, November 2nd. Kickoff is set for 3:00 pm.
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By: Jackson Pickard, Graduate Assistant for Strategic Communications