TROY, Alabama- Stephen F. Austin opened their 2023 season with a 48-30 loss to the Troy Trojans in a non-conference game. It was their seventh meeting overall in the series and first since November 4th, 2000. The series dates back to the 1993 season when they faced off in the FCS playoffs.
The Trojans got things going quick in the first quarter. Troy drove down the field quickly and found the endzone. Gunnar Watson completed a 10-yard touchdown pass to Ethan Conner. The Trojans kept the pressure on the Lumberjacks as Reddy Steward intercepted Brian Maurer and returned it 45 yards to make the score 14-0 with 12:05 left in the first quarter.
SFA put points on the board following a Chris Campos 36-yard field goal. Troy’s offense kept on rolling through the first quarter as they drove down the field and found the endzone for the third time in the quarter. Gunnar Watson’s 16-yard pass to Jabre Barber extended the Trojans lead to 21-3 with 6:05 remaining in the first quarter.
The second quarter of the game was a completely different story for both teams. SFA’s defense began to hold their ground as they were able to hold the Troy offense to an early second quarter field goal that extended the lead for the Trojans 24-3. Jerrell Wimbley was running hard all night long, behind the dominant Lumberjack offensive line. Wimbley found the endzone on a 2-yard run for SFA’s first touchdown of the season. SFA cut the deficit to a 24-10 game with 8:47 left in the second half.
The Lumberjack defense held their ground once again as Tkai Lloyd delivered a huge hit causing a fumble that was recovered by Amad Murray and returned for a game changing touchdown. SFA pulled even closer after the scoop and score, pulling the Lumberjacks within a touchdown 24-17 with 7:38 remaining in the second quarter.
SFA’s defense kept the pressure on the Troy offense after Jermaine Brown forced Kimani Vidal to fumble and Luke Watson recovered the ball for the ‘Jacks. Chris Campos found his second field of the game on a 48-yard kick with :36 left in the half that closed the gap 24-20. Troy’s offense wasn’t done yet as they were able to drive down the field and score on a 19-yard pass from Gunnar Watson to Ethan Conner with :12 left in the half. SFA’s Lumberjacks trailed the Trojans 31-20 at the end of the first half.
The second half got started with the Lumberjacks receiving the ball. The Troy defense responded to the late drive by SFA and held the Lumberjacks scoreless on their opening drive. Troy found a bit more luck on their first drive of the second half as they were able to drive down for a Scott Taylor Renfroe 31-yard field goal. SFA trailed 34-20 with 7:37 remaining in the game. The Trojan defense finally stepped up and stopped the Lumberjacks on consecutive drives. Their offense took advantage as Gunnar Watson found Devonte Ross for a 13-yard touchdown with 2:13 in the third quarter, extending the Troy lead to 41-20.
Troy found themselves on the end of their first mistake of the half after they dropped a Lumberjack punt that was recovered by Chase Ruiz. Chris Campos capitalized on the field position with his third goal of the game. Campos hit a 49-yard field goal that made the score 41-23 with 13:59 in the fourth quarter. SFA kept up their strong defense after Triumphant Olatunji intercepted Gunnar Wilson with 10:12 left in the fourth quarter. Troy found the endzone for their last time on a 2-yard run by Jarris Williams that made the score 48-23 with 4:45 left in the fourth quarter. However, the Lumberjacks wouldn’t go down easy. Anthony Williams found the endzone on a 18-yard rushing touchdown with 2:52 in the fourth quarter. The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks fell to the Troy Trojans 48-30.
After his three field goal day Chris Campos is only three made field goals shy of SFA’s all-time made field goal record. The Lumberjacks will travel back to Nacogdoches, Texas where their next game will take place against Alcorn State University on September 9th at 6:00 p.m.
Final Lumberjack Stat Leaders:
| Rushing: Anthony Williams | 9 carries for 55 yards (6.1), 1 touchdown |
| Passing: Brian Maurer | 18/31 for 136 yards, 1 interception |
| Receiving: Lawton Rikel | 3 receptions for 40 yards |
| Brandon Lane | 7 tackles, .5 tackles for loss |
| Bruce Harmon | 6 tackles, 3 pass break ups |
| Triumphant Olatunji | 6 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 interception |
By: Jace Green, Assistant for Strategic Communications