HCU Huskies (4-4, 3-2 SLC) at #2 Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (8-0, 5-0 SLC)
Saturday, Oct. 31 – 2 p.m.
Homer Bryce Stadium – Nacogdoches, Texas
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NACOGDOCHES, Texas – HCU football has another tough road test ahead as the Huskies face a ranked Southland Conference opponent on the road for the second-straight week, taking on the No. 2 Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks at Homer Bryce Stadium this Saturday at 2:00 p.m.
HCU (4-4, 3-2 SLC) is tied for third in the SLC standings with UIW with four games remaining in the regular season. The Lumberjacks (8-0, 4-0 SLC) are one of just three FCS programs without a loss this season and sit alone atop the SLC standings.
The Huskies were on the road last weekend against No. 15 Lamar, falling 35-10. HCU trailed just 14-10 at halftime after
Javon Bejarano's interception return for a touchdown made it a four-point game with just 27 seconds left before the intermission. The Cardinals then scored 21 unanswered points in the second half to pull away.
Bejarano has recorded a pick-six in three-straight games and just one team across the entire FCS has scored more defensive touchdowns than the HCU safety. In SLC play, his 18 points from touchdowns rank 12
th among all players in the conference.
As a team, the Huskies boast the top red zone defense in the SLC in conference play. HCU is allowing just a 62.5 percent success rate by opponents in the red zone with a pair of fumble recoveries and three turnovers on downs. Additionally, the Huskies have been among the league's most disciplined teams this season and own the lowest average penalty yards per game at 47.6.
SFA is coming off a home 45-24 win over Southeastern, out-scoring the Lions by a 24-7 margin over the final 20 minutes of gametime. As a team, the Lumberjacks racked up 279 yards rushing with Jaylen Jenkins accounting for 159 of those.
The Lumberjacks have been formidable on both sides of the ball this year, ranking third in the FCS in scoring offense (41.4 ppg) and fourth in scoring defense (14.4 ppg). Sophomore Makai Frisby leads the team with four interceptions and is part of a secondary that has an FCS-best 12 interceptions. SFA also ranks second nationally with 3.50 sacks per game.
Offensively, Gavin Rutherford has thrown 21 touchdowns with just six interceptions while totaling 1,874 yards through the air. Bugs Mortimer has hauled in seven of those touchdown passes and leads the team with 31 catches for 474 yards. Jenkins leads the running backs with 574 yards and four touchdowns.
HCU returns home for a Homecoming matchup against the McNeese Cowboys on Nov. 7 at 4:00 p.m. at Husky Stadium.
