2024 Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks football team

The 2024 Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks football team represents Stephen F. Austin State University as a member of the Southland Conference (SLC) during the 2024 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Lumberjacks are coached by sixth-year head coach Colby Carthel and play at Homer Bryce Stadium in Nacogdoches, Texas.

2024 Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks football
Conference	Southland Conference
Record	5–3 (3–2 SLC)
Head coach	Colby Carthel (6th season)
Offensive coordinator	Chris Ross (1st season)
Defensive coordinator	Mike Mutz (2nd season)
Home stadium	Homer Bryce Stadium
Seasons ← 2023 2025 →

2024 Southland Conference football standings

v t e	Conf							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
No. 9 Incarnate Word		3	–	0					6	–	2
Southeastern Louisiana		3	–	1					4	–	5
Lamar		2	–	1					5	–	3
Nicholls		2	–	1					4	–	4
Stephen F. Austin		3	–	2					5	–	3
Houston Christian		1	–	2					3	–	5
Texas A&M–Commerce*		1	–	2					1	–	7
McNeese		1	–	3					4	–	5
Northwestern State		0	–	4					0	–	9
* – Texas A&M–Commerce is ineligible for FCS postseason play due to transition from NCAA Division II. As of October 28, 2024 Rankings from STATS Poll

On May 29, 2024, Stephen F. Austin announced it would leave the United Athletic Conference (UAC) after accepting an invitation to join the Southland Conference as a full-time member effective July 1.^[1] Stephen F. Austin had previously left the Southland Conference in 2021 to join the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). The WAC and Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) officially merged their football leagues to form a football-only conference in 2022.

Preseason

Preseason poll

The Southland Conference released their preseason poll on July 22, 2024. The Lumberjacks were picked to finish fifth in the conference.^[2]

Predicted finish	Team	Votes (1st place)
1	Nicholls	119 (9)
2	Incarnate Word	113 (8)
3	Southeastern Louisiana	94
4	Lamar	88 (1)
5	Stephen F. Austin	72
6	McNeese	64
7	Houston Christian	41
8	Texas A&M–Commerce	37
9	Northwestern State	25

Preseason All–Southland Teams

The Southland Conference announced the 2024 preseason all-conference football team selections on July 22, 2024. SFA had a total of two players selected.^[3]

Offense 2nd Team Kylon Harris – Wide receiver, JR

Defense 2nd Team Jeremiah Walker – Defensive back, SR

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 29	7:00 pm	North American*	Homer Bryce Stadium Nacogdoches, TX	ESPN+	W 77–0	2,014
September 7	6:30 pm	at North Texas*	DATCU Stadium Denton, TX	ESPN+	L 20–35	23,510
September 14	7:00 pm	at McNeese	Cowboy Stadium Lake Charles, LA	ESPN+	L 24–28	8,223
September 21	7:00 pm	at Northern Colorado*	Homer Bryce Stadium Nacogdoches, TX	ESPN+	W 48–7	7,683
October 5	7:00 pm	Northwestern State	Homer Bryce Stadium Nacogdoches, TX (Chief Caddo)	ESPN+	W 59–17	5,793
October 12	3:00 pm	at No. 22 Lamar	Provost Umphrey Stadium Beaumont, TX	ESPN+	W 27–20	8,368
October 19	4:00 pm	at Southeastern Louisiana	Strawberry Stadium Hammond, LA	ESPN+	L 23–24	4,622
October 26	6:00 pm	Houston Christian	Homer Bryce Stadium Nacogdoches, TX	ESPN+	W 55–6	6,246
November 2	3:00 pm	at Nicholls	Manning Field at John L. Guidry Stadium Thibodaux, LA	ESPN+
November 9	3:30 pm	at Texas A&M–Commerce*	Ernest Hawkins Field at Memorial Stadium Commerce, TX	ESPN+
November 16	2:00 pm	Incarnate Word	Homer Bryce Stadium Nacogdoches, TX	ESPN+
November 23	2:00 pm	Abilene Christian*	Homer Bryce Stadium Nacogdoches, TX	ESPN+
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game All times are in Central time

Game summaries

North American

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Stallions	0	0	0	0	0
Lumberjacks	42	28	0	7	77

Game information

First quarter SFA – Kylon Harris 53-yard pass from Sam Vidlak (Chris Campos kick), 14:23. Lumberjacks 7–0. Drive: 3 plays, 77 yards, 0:33. SFA – Rohan Fluellen 47-yard pass from Sam Vidlak (Chris Campos kick), 12:12. Lumberjacks 14–0. Drive: 2 plays, 61 yards, 0:27. SFA – Jordan Nabors 61-yard pass from Sam Vidlak (Chris Campos kick), 8:52. Lumberjacks 21–0. Drive: 2 plays, 72 yards, 0:28. SFA – Chris Taylor 15-yard pass from Sam Vidlak (Chris Campos kick), 5:46. Lumberjacks 28–0. Drive: 3 plays, 55 yards, 0:53. SFA – Blaine Green 50-yard pass from Sam Vidlak (Chris Campos kick), 3:32. Lumberjacks 35–0. Drive: 2 plays, 56 yards, 0:31. SFA – Jaylen Jenkins 10-yard run (Chris Campos kick), 1:09. Lumberjacks 42–0. Drive: 5 plays, 55 yards, 1:22. Second quarter SFA – Gavin Rutherford 6-yard run (Chris Campos kick), 12:23. Lumberjacks 49–0. Drive: 7 plays, 68 yards, 2:10. SFA – Qualan Jones 28-yard run (Chris Campos kick), 9:00. Lumberjacks 56–0. Drive: 4 plays, 53 yards, 0:50. SFA – Ty Love 18-yard pass from Dalton McElyea (Chris Campos kick), 7:27. Lumberjacks 63–0. Drive: 1 play, 18 yards, 0:04. SFA – Jaylen Jenkins 2-yard run (Chris Campos kick), 0:51. Lumberjacks 70–0. Drive: 10 plays, 60 yards, 5:34. Third quarter No scoring plays Fourth quarter SFA – Dax Bridges 17-yard pass from Dalton McElyea (Chris Campos kick), 3:37. Lumberjacks 77–0. Drive: 8 plays, 60 yards, 5:03.

North American Stallions at Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks – Game summary

at Homer Bryce Stadium, Nacogdoches, Texas

• Date: August 31
• Game time: 7:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: Sunny
• Game attendance: 2,014
• Referee: Andre Coleman
• TV: ESPN+
• Box score, Recap

Statistics	NAU	SFA
First downs	3	32
Plays–yards	41–40	51–675
Rushes–yards	19–(-)5	36–385
Passing yards	45	383
Passing: comp–att–int	11–22–1	14–15–0
Time of possession	29:41	30:19

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
North American	Passing	Jesper Korkalanien	7/11, 36 yards
	Rushing	Jesper Korkalanien	1 rush, 6 yards
	Receiving	Jordan Green	3 receptions, 15 yards
Stephen F. Austin	Passing	Sam Vidlak	8/8, 288 yards, 5 TD
	Rushing	Qualan Jones	9 rushes, 121 yards, TD
	Receiving	Kylon Harris	4 receptions, 115 yards, TD

The Lumberjacks jumped out to a 77–0 lead at halftime, scoring touchdowns on eleven consecutive drives. The third and fourth quarters were shortened to five minutes each.^[4]

at North Texas

See also: 2024 North Texas Mean Green football team

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Lumberjacks	10	7	3	0	20
Mean Green	14	7	7	7	35

Game information

First quarter SFA – Chris Campos 40-yard field goal, 11:26. Lumberjacks 3–0. Drive: 4 plays, -12 yards, 2:00. UNT – D. T. Sheffield 51-yard pass from Chandler Morris (Kali Nguma kick), 9:51. Mean Green 7–3. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 1:35. UNT – D. T. Sheffield 2-yard pass from Chandler Morris (kali Nguma kick), 5:27. Mean Green 14–3. Drive: 10 plays, 81 yards, 3:23. SFA – Jermaine Brown 70-yard interception return (Chris Campos kick), 2:08. Mean Green 14–10. Second quarter SFA – Isaiah Davis 33-yard pass from Sam Vidlak (Chris Campos kick), 9:50. Lumberjacks 17–14. Drive: 6 plays, 62 yards, 2:10. UNT – D. T. Sheffield 28-yard pass from Chandler Morris (Kali Nguma kick), 0:15. Mean Green 21–17. Drive: 4 plays, 44 yards, 1:34. Third quarter UNT – Oscar Hammond 7-yard pass from Chandler Morris (Kali Nguma kick), 8:57. Mean Green 28–17. Drive: 10 plays, 74 yards, 4:04. SFA – Chris Campos 21-yard field goal, 6:47. Mean Green 28–20. Drive: 5 plays, 31 yards, 1:11. Fourth quarter UNT – Damashja Harris 80-yard run (Kali Nguma kick), 14:16. Mean Green 35–20. Drive: 3 plays, 90 yards, 1:06.

Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks at North Texas Mean Green – Game summary

at DATCU Stadium, Denton, Texas

• Date: September 7
• Game time: 6:30 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 83 °F (28 °C) • Wind: W 12mph
• Game attendance: 23,510
• Referee: Reid Jackson
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Peter Sousa and Doc Holliday
• Box score, Recap

Statistics	SFA	UNT
First downs	14	25
Plays–yards	70–248	77–504
Rushes–yards	31–67	33–182
Passing yards	181	322
Passing: comp–att–int	20–39–1	26–44–3
Time of possession	26:08	33:52

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Stephen F. Austin	Passing	Sam Vidlak	20/39, 181 yards, TD, INT
	Rushing	Jaylen Jenkins	12 rushes, 44 yards
	Receiving	Kylon Harris	9 receptions, 74 yards
North Texas	Passing	Chandler Morris	26/44, 322 yards, 4 TD, 3 INT
	Rushing	Damashja Harris	10 rushes, 142 yards, TD
	Receiving	D. T. Sheffield	6 receptions, 74 yards, 3 TD

at McNeese

See also: 2024 McNeese Cowboys football team

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Stephen F. Austin	0	10	14	0	24
McNeese	0	7	7	14	28

Game information

First quarter No scoring plays Second quarter (5:22) SFA – Chris Campos 31-yard field goal (Drive: 14 plays, 61 yards, 5:43; Stephen F. Austin 3–0) (3:04) SFA – Anthony Williams 33-yard pass from Sam Vidlak, Chris Campos kick (Drive: 1 play, 33 yards, 0:08; Stephen F. Austin 10–0) (0:00) MCN – Jihad Marks 54-yard pass from Clifton McDowell, Tyler Larco kick (Drive: 1 play, 54 yards, 0:03; Stephen F. Austin 10–7) Third quarter (11:30) SFA – Blaine Green 24-yard pass from Sam Vidlak, Chris Campos kick (Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 3:30; Stephen F. Austin 17–7) (9:08) MCN – Jessie Campbell 23-yard pass from Clifton McDowell, Tyler Larco kick (Drive: 5 plays, 84 yards, 2:16; Stephen F. Austin 17–14) (4:37) SFA – Isaiah Davis 61-yard pass from Sam Vidlak, Chris Campos kick (Drive: 5 plays, 85 yards, 2:18; Stephen F. Austin 24–14) Fourth quarter (8:03) MCN – Clifton McDowell 6-yard run, Tyler Larco kick (Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 5:00; Stephen F. Austin 24–21) (0:31) MCN – Clifton McDowell 11-yard run, Tyler Larco kick (Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 4:14; McNeese 28–24)

Game Three – Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks vs McNeese Cowboys – Game summary

at Cowboy Stadium, Lake Charles, Louisiana

• Date: Saturday September 14, 2024
• Game time: 7:00 p.m.
• Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 87 °F (31 °C) • Wind: SW at 9 miles per hour (14 km/h)
• Game attendance: 8,223
• Referee: James Brookhart
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Jeff Palermo (play-by-play) and Chaston Tavares (analyst)
• Box score, Recap

Statistics	SFA	MCN
First downs	24	19
Total yards	453	449
Rushing yards	212	136
Passing yards	241	313
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	18–28–1	18–29–0
Time of possession	29:51	30:09

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Stephen F. Austin	Passing	Sam Vidlak	18/28, 241 yards, 3 TD, INT
	Rushing	Qualan Jones	27 carries, 155 yards
	Receiving	Isaiah Davis	3 receptions, 87 yards, TD
McNeese	Passing	Clifton McDowell	18/29, 313 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	Coleby Hamm	8 carries, 45 yards
	Receiving	Jer'Michael Carter	5 receptions, 67 yards

Northern Colorado

See also: 2024 Northern Colorado Bears football team

Quarter	1	2	Total
Stephen F. Austin			0
Northern Colorado			0

Game information
First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter

Game Four – Northern Colorado Bears

at Homer Bryce Stadium, Nacogdoches, Texas

• Date: September 21
• Game time: TBA
• Game weather: Wind: • Weather: • Temp:
• TV: ESPN+

Statistics	UNC	SFA
First downs
Plays–yards	–	–
Rushes–yards	–	–
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int	– –	– –
Time of possession	:	:

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
UNC	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
SFA	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Northwestern State

See also: 2024 Northwestern State Demons football team

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Northwestern State	0	3	7	7	17
Stephen F. Austin	24	14	7	14	59

Game information

First Quarter SFA – Blaine Green 6-yard pass from Sam Vidlak (Chris Campos kick), 12:52. Lumberjacks 7–0. Drive: 3 plays, 12 yards, 1:10. SFA – Kylon Harris 7-yard pass from Sam Vidlak (Chris Campos kick), 6:15. Lumberjacks 14–0. Drive: 10 plays, 86 yards, 4:23. SFA – Chris Campos 36-yard field goal, 3:33. Lumberjacks 17–0. Drive: 5 plays, 16 yards, 1:09. SFA – Qualan Jones 1-yard run (Chris Campos kick), 2:31. Lumberjacks 24–0. Drive: 3 plays, 20 yards, 0:50. Second Quarter SFA – Qualan Jones 52-yard run (Chris Campos kick), 14:52. Lumberjacks 31–0. Drive: 4 plays, 78 yards, 0:56. NWST – Reed Honshtein 24-yard field goal, 10:25. Lumberjacks 31–3. Drive: 9 plays, 68 yards, 4:27. SFA – Jordan Nabors 29-yard pass from Sam Vidlak (Chris Campos kick), 9:04. Lumberjacks 38–3. Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 1:14. Third Quarter SFA – Kylon Harris 9-yard pass from Sam Vidlak (Chris Campos kick), 12:07. Lumberjacks 45–3. Drive: 8 plays, 84 yards, 2:47. NWST – Myles Kitt-Denton 74-yard pass from J. T. Fayard (Reed Honshtein kick), 10:28. Lumberjacks 45–10. Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 1:39. Fourth Quarter NWST – Matthew Broad 3-yard run (Reed Honshtein kick), 14:57. Lumberjacks 45–17. Drive: 3 plays, 67 yards, 0:58. SFA – Tyjuan Atkins 25-yard pass from Gavin Rutherford (Chris Campos kick), 10:40. Lumberjacks 52–17. Drive: 3 plays, 88 yards, 1:22. SFA – Kaidan Turner 58-yard fumble return (Chris Campos kick), 6:17. Lumberjacks 59–17.

Game Five – Northwestern State Demons at Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks

at Homer Bryce Stadium, Nacogdoches, Texas

• Date: October 5
• Game time: 7:00 p.m.
• Game weather: Wind: • Weather: Sunny • Temp: 86 °F (30 °C)
• Game attendance: 5,793
• Referee: Gary Leeper
• TV: ESPN+

Statistics	NWST	SFA
First downs	13	24
Plays–yards	61–379	70–623
Rushes–yards	29–49	34–256
Passing yards	330	367
Passing: comp–att–int	19–32–3	27–36–0
Time of possession	30:23	29:37

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
NWST	Passing	J. T. Fayard	18/29, 322 yards, TD, 3 INT
	Rushing	Zay Davis	9 carries, 55 yards
	Receiving	Kenard King	3 receptions, 83 yards
SFA	Passing	Sam Vidlak	23/29, 307 yards, 4 TD
	Rushing	Jaylen Jenkins	10 carries, 113 yards
	Receiving	Blaine Green	4 receptions, 100 yards, TD

@ No. 22 Lamar

See also: 2024 Lamar Cardinals football team

Quarter	1	2	Total
Stephen F. Austin			0
No. 22 Lamar			0

Game information
First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter

Game Six – No. 22 Lamar Cardinals

at Provost Umphrey Stadium, Beaumont, Texas

• Date: October 12
• Game time: 3:00 pm
• Game weather: Wind: • Weather: • Temp:
• TV: ESPN+

Statistics	SFA	LU
First downs
Plays–yards	–	–
Rushes–yards	–	–
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int	– –	– –
Time of possession	:	:

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
SFA	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
LU	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

@ Southeastern Louisiana

See also: 2024 Southeastern Louisiana Lions football team

Quarter	1	2	Total
Stephen F. Austin			0
Southeastern Louisiana			0

Game information
First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter

Game Seven – Southeastern Louisiana Lions

at Strawberry Stadium, Hammond, Louisiana

• Date: October 19
• Game time: 4:00 pm
• Game weather: Wind: • Weather: • Temp:
• TV: ESPN+

Statistics	SFA	SLU
First downs
Plays–yards	–	–
Rushes–yards	–	–
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int	– –	– –
Time of possession	:	:

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
SFA	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
SLU	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Houston Christian

See also: 2024 Houston Christian Huskies football team

Quarter	1	2	Total
Houston Christian			0
Stephen F. Austin			0

Game information
First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter

Game Eight – Houston Christian Huskies

at Homer Bryce Stadium, Nacogdoches, Texas

• Date: October 26
• Game time: 6:00 p.m.
• Game weather: Wind: • Weather: • Temp:
• TV: ESPN+

Statistics	HCU	SFA
First downs
Plays–yards	–	–
Rushes–yards	–	–
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int	– –	– –
Time of possession	:	:

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
HCU	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
SFA	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

@ Nicholls

See also: 2024 Nicholls Colonels football team

Quarter	1	2	Total
Stephen F. Austin			0
Nicholls			0

Game information
First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter

Game Nine – @ Nicholls Colonels

at Manning Field at John L. Guidry Stadium, Thibodaux, Louisiana

• Date: November 2
• Game time: TBA
• Game weather: Wind: • Weather: • Temp:
• TV: ESPN+

Statistics	SFA	NICH
First downs
Plays–yards	–	–
Rushes–yards	–	–
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int	– –	– –
Time of possession	:	:

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
SFA	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
NICH	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

@ Texas A&M–Commerce

See also: 2024 Texas A&M–Commerce Lions football team

Quarter	1	2	Total
Stephen F. Austin			0
Texas A&M–Commerce			0

Game information
First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter

Game Ten – @ Texas A&M–Commerce Lions

at Ernest Hawkins Field at Memorial Stadium, Commerce, Texas

• Date: November 9
• Game time: 3:30 pm
• Game weather: Wind: • Weather: • Temp:
• TV: ESPN+

Statistics	SFA	TAMU–C
First downs
Plays–yards	–	–
Rushes–yards	–	–
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int	– –	– –
Time of possession	:	:

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
SFA	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
TAMU–C	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Incarnate Word

See also: 2024 Incarnate Word Cardinals football team

Quarter	1	2	Total
Incarnate Word			0
Stephen F. Austin			0

Game information
First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter

Game Eleven – Incarnate Word Cardinals

at Homer Bryce Stadium, Nacogdoches, Texas

• Date: November 16
• Game time: TBA
• Game weather: Wind: • Weather: • Temp:
• TV: ESPN+

Statistics	UIW	SFA
First downs
Plays–yards	–	–
Rushes–yards	–	–
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int	– –	– –
Time of possession	:	:

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
UIW	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
SFA	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Abilene Christian

See also: 2024 Abilene Christian Wildcats football team

Quarter	1	2	Total
Abilene Christian			0
Stephen F. Austin			0

Game information
First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter

Game Twelve – Abilene Christian Wildcats

at Homer Bryce Stadium, Nacogdoches, Texas

• Date: November 23
• Game time: TBA
• Game weather: Wind: • Weather: • Temp:
• TV: ESPN+

Statistics	ACU	SFA
First downs
Plays–yards	–	–
Rushes–yards	–	–
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int	– –	– –
Time of possession	:	:

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
ACU	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
SFA	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

^[5][6][7]

References

1. "SFA Accepts Bid to Southland Conference for 2024-25 Season". May 29, 2024.
2. "Southland Conference Announces 2024 Football Preseason Poll and All-Conference Team". www.southland.org. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
3. Pickard, Jackson (July 22, 2024). "Two Lumberjacks Named to Preseason SLC All-Conference Team". sfajacks.com. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
4. Olson, Max (August 30, 2024). "Stephen F. Austin beats NAIA North American 77-0 in opener". ESPN. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
5. "Stephen F. Austin 2024 football schedule". FBSchedules. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
6. "SFA Lumberjacks Announces 2024 Football Schedule Tickets on Sale Now". Stephen F. Austin, Department of Athletics. May 30, 2024. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
7. "Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks". ESPN Enterprises Inc. Retrieved June 13, 2024.