ACU vs SFA: Quarterfinal Spot and Streak on the Line Saturday

The Abilene Christian Wildcats face Stephen F. Austin in a high-stakes FCS playoff rematch Saturday afternoon with a quarterfinal berth on the line. ACU defeated SFA 28-20 in their first meeting this season, but the Lumberjacks have transformed into one of the nation’s hottest teams since that loss.

Rematch Brings Contrasting Momentum into Nacogdoches

Both teams arrive Saturday with contrasting trajectories. ACU won five consecutive games to capture its second straight United Athletic Conference championship and defeat Lamar 38-20 in the first round. The Wildcats held Lamar to just 95 rushing yards, continuing a defensive trend that has held opponents under 100 rushing yards in four of their last five games.

Meanwhile, Stephen F. Austin has not lost since that September 6 defeat in Abilene, winning 10 straight games to clinch the Southland Conference title and earn the #7 seed in the 24-team playoff bracket. The Lumberjacks are hosting their first playoff game at Homer Bryce Stadium since 2010, representing a first quarterfinal appearance since 2009.

Head coach Colby Carthel has orchestrated a remarkable turnaround, earning Southland Conference Coach of the Year honors after leading SFA from a 3-8 start to 10-2 record to host a home playoff game.

Stone Earle Leads Wildcats Against Elite SFA Defense

ACU quarterback Stone Earle will be the key factor in Saturday’s clash. The senior from Fort Worth has thrown for 3,079 yards and 22 touchdowns this season while also contributing 361 rushing yards. In the teams’ first meeting, Earle threw for 239 yards and a rushing touchdown in the Wildcats’ comeback victory.

ACU’s receiving game centers on Javon Gipson, a redshirt senior who has delivered three consecutive 100-yard receiving performances—100 yards at Eastern Kentucky, a career-high 188 yards at Central Arkansas, and 164 yards against Lamar. Gipson is the first Wildcat to string together three straight 100-yard games since Taylor Gabriel in 2011.

The offensive challenge looms large. SFA’s defense allows just 15 points per game (3rd in FCS), 253 offensive yards (2nd), and only 78 rushing yards per contest (2nd). Most critically, the Lumberjack defense stops opponents on third down an impressive 70% of the time, while ACU converts on third down at 47%, setting up a critical battle in the trenches.

Close Contests Define This Rivalry Over 28 Games

SFA leads the all-time series 14-13, but nine of the last 13 meetings have been decided by one score, with ACU winning five of those nine tight contests. This will mark the fifth consecutive year the Wildcats have traveled to Nacogdoches to face the Lumberjacks, creating a familiar battlefield despite the high stakes.

In their September showdown, ACU rallied from a shocking 14-0 deficit, outscoring SFA 28-0 in the second and third quarters. The Wildcat defense forced three turnovers and converted two of them into defensive touchdowns—Kaghen Roach recovered a fumble in the end zone, and four plays later Chris Wright’s forced fumble recovery led to a Jordon Vaughn touchdown run.

Nine of Nacogdoches matchups have been one-score decisions, with ACU holding a slight 4-5 record in those close contests at Homer Bryce Stadium. The Wildcats can ill afford to overlook the dramatic environmental advantage the home team will enjoy.

ACU Seeks Historic Road Win While SFA Eyes First Quarterfinal Since 2009

An ACU victory would represent the Wildcats’ first road win over a Top 10 team in 15 years, dating back to their October 2, 2010 victory over #6 Texas A&M-Kingsville. It would also extend their winning streak to six games, matching their 2010 start before going on to an 11-1 season and national prominence.

For SFA, winning extends their historic run. A victory would send the Lumberjacks to their first FCS quarterfinal since 2009, a 16-year drought for one of the conference’s most successful programs. Coach Carthel’s dramatic turnaround from 3-8 to hosting a playoff game would reach a new level with a quarterfinal berth.

An ACU win would also give the Wildcats their first 10-win season since 2010, when they went 11-1 and claimed the NCAA Division II national championship. The program has never won multiple playoff games in a single season in the NCAA Division I era.

Can ACU’s High-Powered Offense Break Through SFA’s Elite Defense?

Saturday’s game ultimately comes down to whether Stone Earle and the Wildcat offense can generate consistent third-down conversions against the nation’s second-best third-down defense. Javon Gipson’s hot streak gives ACU a dangerous downfield weapon, but SFA’s secondary has been suffocating FCS offenses all season.

The Lumberjacks’ defensive dominance is real. They’ve allowed just 253 yards per game—second in FCS—while holding rushing attacks to 78 yards per contest. If ACU cannot establish balance between Earle’s passing and a ground game, SFA’s elite defense will stymie the Wildcats’ playoff run.

Conversely, ACU’s defense has completely transformed over the past month. Holding recent opponents to under 100 rushing yards four times in five games demonstrates championship-level defensive focus heading into Nacogdoches.

Sources

• Abilene Christian University Athletics – Game preview and playoff notes
• ESPN – Live coverage and official game information
• Sports Illustrated – FCS playoff analysis and predictions

Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.