Nov. 19, 2009

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack football team (8-2/5-1 SLC) returns to action Saturday when it travels to Natchitoches, La., to take on rival Northwestern State. The Lumberjacks, winners of two straight, and eight of their last nine games, enter Saturday's contest looking to win at least a share of the Southland Conference title. The Demons (0-10/0-6 SLC) enter the contest still searching for their first win of the season. The game is slated to begin at 2 p.m. from Turpin Stadium.

The Lumberjacks are 20-42-3 (.331) all-time against Northwestern State. The `Jacks have dropped two straight, and six of the last eight meetings between the two teams. SFA is 7-10-1 (.417) in Natchitoches, La., dating back to 1971. The Lumberjacks dropped a 34-24 decision last season in Nacogdoches.

SFA needs only to win its regular-season finale to win at least a share of its first Southland Conference title since 1999. The Lumberjacks need to beat Northwestern State, and hope that Central Arkansas can defeat McNeese State for the 'Jacks to win their first outright title since 1989.

History may be on SFA's side as it enters the final week of the 2009 regular season. The Lumberjacks have won two SLC titles in program history with the first coming in 1989, following with their second 10 years later. SFA needs a win Saturday to lock up its third league title.

The Lumberjacks' 41-points against Southeastern Louisiana marked the fourth time this season that SFA has scored at least 40 points in a game in 2009.

The `Jacks victory in Hammond, La., gave them eight for the season and five in the league play, which is the most wins since the 1999 SLC Championship season.

J.C. Harper became the 18th head coach of the SFA Lumberjack football team in December, 2006. Harper spent two seasons as the defensive coordinator before taking over as head coach. He is 12-21 (.364) during his time at SFA. Northwestern State head coach Bradley Dale Peveto is in his first season in Natchitoches, La., after 10 seasons as an assistant coach with Northwestern State. Peveto is 0-10 in his first season with the Demons.