Feb. 2, 2001

CONTACT: Rob Meyers

NACOGDOCHES, Texas -- Stephen F. Austin State University athletic department officials today released the 2001 schedule for the Lumberjack football team. SFA will play six home and five road games in the 2001 season, all against Division I-AA opponents. The schedule features non-conference match-ups with teams from the Big Sky and Gateway Conferences as well as one I-AA independent. The Lumberjacks will also play six Southland Football League games. The schedule marks the first time since the 1989 season that SFA has faced an 11-game slate of all Division I opponents.

SFA opens the 2001 season September 1, at home, as they host the Vikings of Portland State, one of four first time opponents on the schedule this season. Portland State went 8-4 last season, losing in the first round of the I-AA playoffs. The Vikings featured one of the top passing offenses in all of college football last season, and used that offense to beat the University of Hawaii, in Honolulu, last year.

The following week, SFA goes on the road for the first time as they travel to another first time, and Big Sky opponent, Northern Arizona University. SFA and the Lumberjacks of Northern Arizona have met twice before on the basketball court, but have never squared off on the football field.

The `Jacks return home from that trip to take on Gateway Conference member Northern Iowa in Homer Bryce Stadium on September 15. The Panthers and `Jacks met last season in Cedar Falls with UNI taking a 37-30 decision from the `Jacks. Another first time Lumberjack opponent visits Homer Bryce Stadium the following week when I-AA independent Cal State - Northridge makes a September 22 appearance.

SFA closes out the non-conference portion of their schedule with a September 29 trip to Terre Haute, Indiana to take on Gateway Conference member Indiana State. The Sycamores are the fourth and final first time opponent on the schedule next season.

The `Jacks come right back the following week and open Southland Football League play on the road as they travel to Lake Charles to take on McNeese State on October 6. The `Jacks will then highlight homecoming activities for the Alumni Association the weekend on October 13, when they host Jacksonville State in a 2:00 p.m. kick-off, for the only home game for the month of October.

SFA closes out their schedule with trips to Sam Houston on October 20, an open date on October 27, and two straight home games against Nicholls State and Southwest Texas to start November.

The 2001 regular season comes to a close on November 17 in Natchitoches, as Northwestern State and SFA meet in the annual Battle For Chief Caddo at Northwestern's Turpin Stadium.

Stephen F. Austin State University
2001 Football Schedule

	SEPTEMBER

		1	PORTLAND STATE			7:00
			Homer Bryce Stadium
			Nacogdoches, Texas

		8	NORTHERN ARIZONA		7:05
			Walkup Sky Dome
			Flagstaff, Arizona

		15	NORTHERN IOWA			7:00
			Homer Bryce Stadium
			Nacogdoches, Texas

		22	CAL STATE - NORTHRIDGE	7:00
			Homer Bryce Stadium
			Nacogdoches, Texas

		29	INDIANA STATE			1:30
			Memorial Stadium
			Terre Haute, Indiana


	OCTOBER

	 	6	McNEESE STATE*			7:00
			Cowboy Stadium
			Lake Charles, Louisiana

		13	JACKSONVILLE STATE*		2:00
			Homer Bryce Stadium
			Nacogdoches, Texas

		20	SAM HOUSTON STATE*		TBA
			Bowers Stadium
			Huntsville, Texas


	NOVEMBER

		3	NICHOLLS STATE*			2:00
			Homer Bryce Stadium
			Nacogdoches, Texas

		10	SOUTHWEST TEXAS*		2:00
			Homer Bryce Stadium
			Nacogdoches, Texas

		17	NORTHWESTERN STATE*		TBA
			Turpin Stadium
		           Natchitoches, Louisiana