SOUTHLAND

Bears can’t stop back

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Stephen F. Austin sophomore running back Gus Johnson rushed for a career-high 215 yards and scored four touchdowns as the Lumberjacks beat Central Arkansas 42-37 on Saturday night at Homer Bryce Stadium.

The Lumberjacks totaled 467 yards of offense and held the Bears’ offense in check for most of the night. Stephen F. Austin quarterback Brady Attaway completed 22 of 43 passes for 296 yards and 2 touchdowns.

UCA (3-2, 1-1 Southland Conference) finished with just 217 yards of offense, including 16 total yards in the second quarter. The teams had a combined 13 fumbles, with 8 lost, and 3 interceptions. Most of Stephen F. Austin’s stumblescame in the first quarter and UCA took advantage. The Bears then turned it over four times in the fourth quarter but still had a shot at victory in the final minutes.

With his team trailing 42-37 after forcing punter NickBruno out of the end zone for a safety, quarterback Wynrick Smothers was sacked on the final play of the game.

Stephen F. Austin outscored UCA 20-0 in the quarter to take a 35-21 halftime lead.

UCA got a 15-yard touchdown pass from Smothers to tight end Chase Dixon for the only points in the third quarter. Stephen F. Austin then pushed its lead to 42-28 on Johnson’s fourth rushing touchdown with 12:03 left.

UCA redshirt freshman defensive end Jonathan Woodard, who forced two fumbles and recovered three, returned his final one 72 yards for a touchdown to pull the Bears within 42-35 with 4:29 left.

Smothers completed 14 of 33 passes for 115 yards and 2 touchdowns.

SWAC

TENNESSEE STATE 40, ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF 13

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee State (5-0) used a 28-0 run in the second half to defeat Arkansas-Pine Bluff (3-2).

Tyler Strickland kicked a 29-yard field goal to give UAPB a 3-0 lead. On the Golden Lions’ next drive, Ben Anderson threw a 55-yard touchdown pass to Ladarius Eckwood to make it 10-0 with 6:03 left in the first quarter.

Eckwood finished with a game-high 5 catches for 117 yards and 1 touchdown.

THURSDAY’S GAME Sam Houston St. 50, Texas Southern 6 SATURDAY’S GAMES SE Louisiana 31, Lamar 21 Stephen F. Austin 42, Cent. Ark. 37 McNeese State 30, NW State 22SATURDAY’S GAMES Alabama State 54, Alcorn State 14 Southern 21, Florida A&M 14 Jackson State 34, Prairie View A&M 13 Tennessee State 40, UAPB 13 Alabama A&M 38, Grambling 17

Sports, Pages 26 on 09/30/2012

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