Box Score NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word football team traveled to Stephen F. Austin on Saturday night and lost 38-3 at Homer Bryce Stadium amidst a number of lightning delays and rainy weather.

A close game turned the way of the Lumberjacks thanks to a record-setting performance by running back Gus Johnson.  He scored four touchdowns and rushed for 252 yards in the contest.  He set the SFA school record for career rushing touchdowns and also had the most rushing touchdowns and rushing yards by a single player against the Cardinals (0-2). 

The Lumberjacks led just 14-3 after the Cardinals kicked a field goal midway through the third quarter, but two quick scores by SFA put the game out of reach.

"The rain had no effect on us except it made it kind of uncomfortable and we had to sit around for a long time," said UIW head coach Larry Kennan.  "We had a hard time tackling them and blocking them.  We didn't do either very well and they wore us down.  They have some really skilled offensive players and a solid defense that can run pretty well."

Despite a 70-minute lightning delay to the game, the Lumberjacks (1-1) came out rolling on offense.

After each team punted on their opening drives, SFA started their second drive in UIW territory at the 44-yard line.  The Jacks looked like they might be stopped when they didn't make a short third down conversion, but Zach Conque picked up the needed yardage on fourth down.  Two plays later, Gus Johnson went around right end for a 14-yard touchdown scamper at 5:19.

The Cardinals had a quick three-and-out and SFA regained possession at their own 44-yard line.  Johnson picked up six yards on first down and then went virtually untouched 49 yards for a touchdown on second down at 3:07.

UIW responded with a strong drive going 83 yards in 10 plays, but came away with no points.  Taylor Woods (Sugar Land/Fort Bend Austin HS) completed three passes to Casey Jennings (Fremont, CA/Washington HS) for 63 yards.  They drove all the way down to the 3-yard line and settled for a 21-yard field goal, but it was pushed wide right.

The game would go to halftime as neither team threatened to score the rest of the second quarter.  Jarrius James (Galveston/Ball HS) picked off his first career interception in the second quarter while Corey Lee (San Antonio/Madison HS) led the front seven with his third sack of the season and two tackles for loss.

Another lightning delay occurred at halftime extending it to a total of 67 minutes.

The Cardinals put their first points of the game on the board on their second drive of the third quarter.  They drove all the way down to the SFA 8-yard line before a holding penalty and sack pushed them all the way back to the 30-yard line.  Ramon Coto, Jr. (Houston/Westfield HS) drilled a 47-yard field goal with 8:17 left in the quarter.  The big play of the drive was a 52-yard bomb to Jennings who made an unbelievable catch by tipping the ball to himself.

The Cardinals quickly forced SFA into a punt, but were unable to take advantage.  The Jacks would make them pay by going back to Johnson.  He picked up 20 yards on the first play of the drive and then broke a 47-yard touchdown run on the next play to make it 21-3 with 4:54 left in the third quarter. 

On the ensuing kickoff, Jamari Gilbert (Baytown/Baytown Lee HS) went 60 yards and a facemask penalty put the ball at the SFA 17-yard line to start the drive.  UIW got down to the 1-foot line, but were stopped on fourth down.

Johnson continued his unbelievable night on the next drive.  He scored his fourth touchdown on a 6-yard scamper with 13:22 remaining in the game.  That capped a 96-yard, 11-play drive where he picked up 45 yards on the ground.  He set the SFA career rushing touchdowns record on the play.

The Lumberjacks tacked on another touchdown with 10:57 to play when Zach Conque connected with Marquis Mosley for a 16-yard scoring strike.

The Cardinals finished the night with 236 yards of offense and only 11 first downs.  They were limited to 42 yards rushing on 32 carries with Junior Sessions (Mesquite/Mesquite HS) leading the way with 36 yards on 12 carries.
           
In the passing game, Woods was 14-of-31 for 186 yards and an interception.  Jennings was his favorite target with five receptions for 122 yards.  It was his third career game with at least 100 yards receiving, tying a school record.  "Casey always plays hard and is one of the guys we know can make plays for us," said Kennan.  "He was our best offensive player last year and probably is this year.  We need more players like him."
           
On defense, Brandon Tanksley (Katy/Morton Ranch HS) led the Cardinals with 11 tackles while three other players had seven stops.  The Lumberjacks ran up 558 yards of total offense in the game with 373 coming on the ground.  Lee had the team's lone sack of the night.
           
The Cardinals did well on kick returns throughout the game.  Gilbert finished with four returns for 122 yards while Kody Edwards (Mesquite/Mesquite Poteet HS) added one return for 29 yards.
           
The Jacks averaged 7.9 yards per carry for the game.  In addition to Johnson's 252 yards, Conque added 44 yards on seven carries and Fred Ford had 35 yards on six carries.  Conque was 10-of-19 for 75 yards, a touchdown and an interception through the air.  Joe Minden went 9-of-10 for 93 yards passing.  Tyler Boyd was the top receiving target with six catches for 82 yards.
           
SFA's defense had two sacks and 10 tackles for loss.  Nick Bryant and Collin Garrett each had eight tackles and Garrett also added an interception.
           
The Cardinals head to No. 1 North Dakota State next week for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff in Fargo, ND.  The game will be shown on ESPN3 and ESPN's College Game Day will also be there for their weekly pregame show.
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