NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Deep in the pines of East Texas, Stephen F. Austin hosted Abilene Christian in the second round of the FCS Playoffs. Win and advance, lose and the season is over. The stakes couldn’t have been higher at Homer Bryce Stadium.

With excitement permeating the air, ACU and SFA took the field to face each other for the second time this season. In that earlier contest, it was the Wildcats who came out on top in a 28-20 win in Abilene. 

While ACU looked to repeat the result from September, the Lumberjacks hoped to return the favor on their home turf. They did just that in a thrilling 41-34 instant classic to advance to the quarterfinals and a date with Montana State.

Fans who tuned into the rematch between the two Texas FCS programs witnessed an incredible game featuring several lead changes as Stephen F. Austin and Abilene Christian battled for the win.

In a first half that featured multiple huge momentum swings, Abilene Christian jumped out to an early 3-0 lead. After a disjointed opening drive for the Lumberjacks, QB Sam Vidlak led SFA’s offense down the field on two straight drives, resulting in touchdowns. The Jacks appeared on the cusp of breaking the game wide open with their defense wreaking havoc before a pass interference penalty in the second quarter allowed Abilene Christian to capitalize and notch a touchdown of their own. ACU would swiftly tack on another, taking a 17-14 lead over Stephen F. Austin.

With just over a minute left in the half and the Jacks reeling, Vidlak and company managed to drive into ACU territory for a field goal ahead of halftime. The Wildcats and Lumberjacks headed to the locker room with the score tied at 17-17.

The second half saw more punches traded to start as both Stephen F. Austin and Abilene Christian scored touchdowns on their first drives. SFA couldn’t keep the scoring going on their second drive of the half, but ACU was able to tack on a field goal and carried a 27-24 lead into the fourth quarter.

Stephen F. Austin regained the lead in the fourth quarter after a 10-yard run by Jerrell Wimbley to make the score 31-27. However, Abilene Christian would answer almost immediately with a 66-yard touchdown run by Jordon Vaughn for the 6th lead change of the game.

The lead changes would continue as Stephen F. Austin raced down the field and took the lead once more on a beautiful one-handed grab by Kylon Harris to make the score 38-34.

In a game that seemed like it would come down to whoever got the first stop, it was Stephen F. Austin who capitalized in a major way.

Charles Demmings made a diving interception with just over six minutes remaining in the contest to give the Lumberjacks a chance to put the game away. However, Stephen F. Austin wasn’t fully able to capitalize as the Wildcats limited them to just a field goal.

With just under two minutes left in the contest, Abilene Christian had the ball with a chance to tie it up. Once again, the Lumberjack defense stepped up. Stephen F. Austin forced an incompletion on 4th and 12 to secure the victory. From there, the Lumberjacks kneeled it out.