The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks defeated East Texas A&M University 44‑7 in their Southland Conference opener, moving to a 2‑0 start while the Lions dropped to 0‑2 and endured their first home loss of the season.
Ranked 11th in the AFCA FCS poll and 13th in the Stats Perform poll, the Lumberjacks used a balanced attack that outgained the opposition by 247 yards, a performance that underscored their early-season momentum.
Game Highlights
Key moments came early, as quarterback Eric Rodriguez connected with Andrez Lewis for a 21‑yard touchdown that knotted the score in the first quarter, and running back JT Kitna powered in a 1‑yard rush shortly thereafter.
The second quarter saw the Lumberjacks pull away with 17 points, highlighted by a touchdown from Gavin Rutherford and a 23‑yard field goal by Carlos Jenkins, extending the lead to double digits.
East Texas A&M responded in the second half with scores from Jaylen Jenkins and Cannon Lemberg, and two field goals were added by a teammate, but four turnovers and a total of seven miscues across two games hampered their comeback effort.
Statistically, the Lions amassed 434 yards on 77 plays, far surpassing the Lumberjacks' 187 yards, yet the turnover differential—four for SFA versus seven for the Lions—proved decisive.
Defensively, Wesley York, Jr. led the Lions with 12 tackles, and Tramar Gilbert contributed seven, but the Lumberjacks' offense remained relentless throughout the contest.