NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS – Big plays kept the University of the Incarnate Word football team from winning their first road game of the season on Saturday afternoon at Southland Conference rival Stephen F. Austin.
The Lumberjacks (3-5, 3-3) scored six touchdowns that were each over 25 yards and they were able to pull away from the Cardinals (4-4, 3-3) in the second half for the second straight year at Homer Bryce Stadium to win 55-21. UIW pulled to within 27-21 after returning the opening kickoff of the second half for a touchdown, but the 'Jacks scored the next 21 points to put the game away. Wide receiver Aaron Piper did a lot of damage to the Cardinals with six catches for 139 yards, including two touchdowns.
The Cardinals had chances to score on each of their first two drives of the game.
Kobie Douglas (Plano/Plano Senior HS) gave UIW the ball on the SFA 41-yard line after intercepting a Zach Conque pass on the first possession of the game. UIW drove to the 17-yard line before being stopped, but
Cody Seidel's (Keller/Fossil Ridge HS) 34-yard field goal attempt went wide left. On the next possession, the Cardinals moved the ball down to the SFA 23-yard line, but were stopped on fourth-and-2.
The Lumberjacks got on the board following the fourth down stop. After picking up a first down, Loren Easly raced 41 yards up the middle to make it 7-0 with 4:01 left in the first quarter.
The Cardinals responded with a 7-play, 77-yard scoring drive of their own.
Trent Brittain (Eastland/Eastland HS) opened the drive with a pair of first down completions and then he later picked up a first down with a quarterback sneak on fourth-and-1. On the next play, Brittain lofted a pass into the end zone that was hauled in by
Jordan Hicks (Arlington/Juan Seguin HS) over two defenders for a 36-yard score with 22 seconds left in the quarter.
Following the score, the Cardinals pulled off a perfect onside kick and came up with the recovery. Unfortunately, on the next play Patrick Martin picked off a Brittain pass. The 'Jacks responded by moving the ball 50 yards before the drive stalled in the Red Zone. Mason Juhl booted a 25-yard field goal to make the score 10-7 with 11:55 left in the second quarter.
A second UIW interception led to another SFA touchdown. Trevon Smith picked off a Brittain pass and returned it into Cardinals territory. Conque capped off a 7-play, 34-yard drive with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Judah Jones with 7:00 left in the second quarter.
SFA went up 24-7 late in the second quarter when Conque dropped off a screen pass to Aaron Piper who raced 66 yards up the middle for the touchdown with 3:54 left in the half.
The Cardinals cut into the lead before halftime.
Kody Edwards (Mesquite/Poteet HS) caught a short pass and spun away from two defenders to pick up a 40-yard gain l to the SFA 15-yard line.
Sean Flannel (Brazoria/West Columbia HS) lost a fumble while fighting to get into the end zone and the Lumberjacks recovered. On the next play, Conque fumbled the ball and
Quandre Washington (Katy/Morton Ranch HS) recovered at the 5-yard line. Flannel was able to redeem himself by taking the ball in from four yards out for his first career touchdown with 36 seconds left in the half.
SFA was able to get a field goal right before halftime to make it 27-14 at the break. Joshawa West returned the kickoff 41 yards to midfield and Juhl booted a career-long 48-yard field goal as time expired.
The second half started perfectly for the Cardinals as Edwards returned the opening kickoff a school-record 100 yards for a touchdown to make it a 27-21 game. The defense forced the Lumberjacks into a quick punt to give the ball back to UIW.
Unfortunately, the next time Edwards touched the ball did not go as well for the Cardinals. He caught a pass and spun away from a defender when the ball popped out of his hands into the hands of Tre Rosser who sprinted 47 yards for a touchdown for SFA to make it 34-21 with 10:30 left in the third quarter.
SFA made it a three score game on their next possession. The Conque-to-Piper connection turned into another touchdown. This one went for 26 yards and made it 41-21 with 6:07 left in the third quarter. A fourth touchdown pass by Conque to De'Quan Ruffin in the fourth quarter put the game out of reach.
The Cardinals committed five turnovers that led to 28 points for the Lumberjacks, including a fumble return and interception return for a touchdown. Overall, UIW finished with 281 yards of total offense and 14 first downs. Brittain finished the game 16-of-27 for 208 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions through the air and he added 25 yards rushing on eight carries. Flannel led the team with 16 carries for 37 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Edwards finished with five catches for 74 yards and 261 all-purpose yards. Hicks chipped in with three catches for 57 yards and a score while
Cole Wick (Hallettsville/Sacred Heart Catholic HS) added four grabs for 44 yards.
UIW set a school record with 266 kick return yards in the contest. Edwards had five returns for 186 yards while
Jamari Gilbert (Baytown/Lee HS) added four returns for 80 yards.
The Cardinals defense was led by
Myke Tavarres (Lake Oswego, OR/Lake Ridge HS) and
Josh Zellars (Baytown/Lee HS) who each recorded 10 tackles.
Troy Lara (San Antonio/Blinn JC) added five tackles and two tackles for losss.
Conque led the Lumberjacks on offense going 22-of-33 for 256 yards, four touchdowns and an interception and he added 35 yards on the ground. Easly led all players with 85 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. In addition to Piper's 139 yards and two touchdowns receiving, Ruffin added four catches for 60 yards and a score.
The SFA defense finished the game with three sacks, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Justin Owens led the team with 11 tackles while Allen Stewart added eight tackles, a sack and a pass breakup.
The Cardinals are back in action next Saturday at Southeastern Louisiana for a 6:07 p.m. kickoff. UIW is now 4-0 at home and 0-4 on the road this season.
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