FB: SFA-Texas A&M Game Notes
point of the squad heading into Saturday's season opener at Texas
A&M. (Photo by John Krueger)
#8 SFA 'Jacks (0-0) @ Texas A&M (0-0)
Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010 • 6 p.m.
Kyle Field (82,600) • College Station, Texas
Radio: Q107.7 KTBQ FM
The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack football team will begin the defense of its Southland Conference crown when it opens the 2010 season Saturday, Sept. 4, at Texas A&M. The Lumberjacks are coming off one of their best seasons in school history posting a 10-3 overall record, and winning a share of the Southland Conference title. Saturday's game is slated to begin at 6 p.m. from Kyle Field.
SFA vs. THE AGGIES: Despite the fact the two schools are only 120 miles apart, Saturday's meeting will be the first since the 1935 season. Texas A&M holds a 2-0 series lead against SFA.
SFA IN SEASON OPENERS: The Lumberjacks are 45-33-5 (.542) all-time in season openers, but have lost three of the last four including a 31-23 setback last season at SMU. The 'Jacks' last season-opening win came during the 2008 season over Langston (56-19). SFA's last season-opening win over an NCAA Division I school came during the 2003 season when SFA defeated Louisiana-Monroe, 23-21.
STEPPING UP: Saturday's game against the Aggies will mark the third consecutive season that SFA has stepped up to play and NCAA FBS school. The 'Jacks are 2-8 (.200) all-time against FBS opponents.
PRESEASON HYPE: The Lumberjacks enter the 2010 season ranked among the nation's top 10 in six of seven FCS preseason polls. SFA is ranked between 6th and 12th depending on the publication. Along with the preseason team rankings, several SFA players have garnered attention during the offseason. Several Lumberjack players have been named to preseason All-America squads including quarterback Jeremy Moses and linebacker Jabara Williams. Moses is a member of the Walter Payton Award Watch List, the FCS level's version of the Heisman, and Williams has been named to Buck Buchanan Award Watch list. The Buchanan Award is given annually to the top defensive player at the FCS level. SFA is only one of six schools in the country that has a player named to both award watch lists.
HOLY MOSES: Senior quarterback Jeremy Moses enters his final season as the school's all-time leading passer, and is on pace to become the conference's all-time leader in completions, passing yards, total offense and touchdown passes.
THE COACHES: J.C. Harper became the 18th head coach of the SFA Lumberjack football team in December 2006, following two seasons as the team's defensive coordinator. Harper was named the 2009 SLC Coach of the Year after guiding SFA to it's first conference crown in 10 years. The title came only two years following an 0-11 season. Harper is 14-22 (.389) in three seasons as a head coach. Mike Sherman is 10-15 (.400) in two seasons at Texas A&M. In just his second season with the Aggies, Sherman guided Texas A&M to an Independence Bowl berth. Prior to his return to College Station, Sherman spent 11 seasons in the NFL, including a six-year stretch as the head coach of the Green Bay Packers.