Stephen F. Austin used a balanced running game, timely defensive pressure and a productive second half to gain control against Incarnate Word in a matchup carrying potential Southland Conference championship implications.
SFA struck first after Incarnate Word opened with three incomplete passes. Quarterback Sam Vidlak Rutherford helped move the Lumberjacks downfield before Jaylen Jenkins broke into the open field on a quick pass. The possession ended with a touchdown, and Carlos Alvarado's extra point gave SFA the early advantage.
Incarnate Word struggled to establish an offensive rhythm early. Quarterback Malachi Brown faced consistent pressure, and several passes were either off target or disrupted by the SFA defense. The Cardinals managed a field goal, but the Lumberjacks continued creating opportunities with a mixture of runs, option concepts and short passes.
SFA extended its lead when Rutherford directed another sustained drive. Tight end Kylon Ellison provided an important block near the goal line before JT Kitna finished the possession with a touchdown run. The score pushed the Lumberjacks' advantage to 13-3 before the extra point.
Incarnate Word gradually found some offensive consistency and added another field goal. The Cardinals later produced their best drive of the first half, with Brown making plays through the air and with his legs. He eventually connected on a quick slant for a touchdown, cutting SFA's advantage to one point with 5:44 remaining in the half.
SFA had an opportunity to add to its lead before halftime, but Alvarado missed a field-goal attempt.
The game remained competitive after the break. Incarnate Word moved deep into SFA territory and eventually added a field goal, while the Lumberjacks responded with another productive drive. Rutherford found receivers underneath before connecting with Preston Alford out of the backfield for a touchdown, allowing SFA to regain control.
The Lumberjacks began creating more separation as their running game became increasingly effective. Speedy Jones consistently found space, while Alford and Jenkins helped SFA control possession and keep the Cardinals' offense off the field.
Another SFA drive reached the red zone before Rutherford went to the back corner of the end zone for a touchdown, extending the Lumberjacks' advantage.
From there, SFA increasingly relied on its ground game and the clock. Jones and Alford handled repeated carries as the Lumberjacks worked to shorten the game and limit Incarnate Word's remaining possessions.
The Cardinals still produced one late explosive play. With less than a minute remaining, Brown completed a pass that turned into a long catch-and-run touchdown, giving UIW one final push. But earlier missed opportunities, including problems on two-point conversions, left the Cardinals with too much ground to recover.
For SFA, the difference was consistency. The Lumberjacks generated offense in several ways, pressured Brown and controlled enough of the second half on the ground to withstand Incarnate Word's late response in a game expected to carry significant weight in the conference race.
