NACOGDOCHES, Texas- The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (6-5, 4-3) fell to the University of Incarnate Word Cardinals (9-2, 6-0) in their last Southland Conference (SLC) game of the season at Homer Bryce Stadium. The Lumberjacks finish with a 4-3 overall record in SLC play.
UIW received the opening kickoff at the 25-yard line. SFA safety Jaheim Mullen intercepted the Cardinals on the fourth play of the game to set up the offense inside UIW territory. SFA would strike first thanks to a Chris Campos 30-yard field goal, to take a 3-0. Early lead. The Cardinals would respond with 5:50 left in the first quarter kicking a 22-yard field goal of their own knotting the game at 3-3.
The Lumberjacks would retake the lead with 47 seconds to go in the first quarter as Chris Campos banged home his second field goal of the game with a 23-yarder to take a 6-3 lead. The defense would force a Cardinals three and out. The UIW punt would be mishandled by SFA for a fumble and recovered by UIW setting the Cardinals up at the SFA 18-yard line. The defense held the Cardinals to a field goal tying the game at 6-6 in the second quarter.
The Cardinals would score the first touchdown of the game with 4:52 left in the second quarter to take a 13-6 lead. Chris Campos would kick his third field goal of the game with five seconds remaining. UIW lead 13-9 at the half.
Gavin Rutherford led the Lumberjacks’ passing attack in the first half going 8-for-16 and 80 yards passing. Jerrell Wimbley led the receivers with three catches for 65 yards. Gavin Rutherford led the rushing attack for the Lumberjacks with eight carries for 33 yards. Aaron Austin was the leader on defense with three total tackles. Victor Idusuyi totaled three total tackles and one sack at the half. Jaheim Mullen also collected an interception.
After a UIW interception, the Cardinals would drive down the field and extend their lead with a touchdown, 20-9. Chris Campos would strike again with a 36-yard field goal to cut into the UIW lead, 20-12. Trashawn Adams would intercept a Zach Calzada pass at the SFA 30-yard line, but the Cardinals defense would come up with a stop to force an SFA punt.
UIW would extend their lead again with a touchdown to take a 27-12 lead. SFA would not go away quietly as the Lumberjacks would mount a five play, 79-yard drive capped off by a Gavin Rutherford touchdown pass to Kylon Harris over the middle. It was Gavin’s first touchdown pass on the day. SFA would execute a two-point conversion, on a Gavin Rutherford run from three yards out. UIW still held the lead 27-20 with 6:56 remaining in the fourth quarter.
The Cardinals would drive the ball down to the SFA six-yard line, but UIW would throw their third interception of the game to Jermaine Brown who returned it to the UIW 45-yard line but fumbled the ball back to UIW as he was tackled. UIW would take back over possession at their 43-yard line. The Lumberjacks defense would stand tall again and UIW would punt the ball back to SFA with 1:53 left on the clock and a chance to tie the game. The offense was unable to find the end zone and UIW would win 27-20 over the Lumberjacks.
Player Highlights
Gavin Rutherford: 47 yards rushing (Career High)
Gavin Rutherford: 209 yards passing (Career High)
Kylon Harris: 79 yards receiving on six catches
Victor Idusuyi: 7 tackles, 3 tackles for loss (11 yards)
Chris Campos: 4 field goals (30, 23, 31, 36)
The Lumberjacks play their final 2024 regular season game of the 2024 in a non-conference game against Abilene Christian University. Kickoff is set for 2:00 P.M. CT.
By: Jackson Pickard, Graduate Assistant for Strategic Communications