The No. 10 seed Abilene Christian Wildcats (9-4), who advanced with a commanding 38-20 first-round playoff win over Lamar on November 29 (QB Stone Earle: 308 pass yards/4 TDs), travel to Nacogdoches for a Texas-sized showdown against the No. 7 seed Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (10-2), the Southland Conference champions who earned a first-round bye after clinching their first title since 2010 with a 26-15 victory over Lamar on November 22. At Homer Bryce Stadium, where the Lumberjacks have thrived with a 6-1 home record and outscored opponents by 18.2 points per game, this United Athletic Conference (UAC) vs. Southland Conference playoff tilt revives a heated Texas rivalry—SFA leads the all-time series 14-12, including a 32-19 regular-season win over ACU on November 23. The Wildcats’ dual-threat offense (405.8 total YPG, 33rd in FCS) led by Earle’s efficiency (72% completion, 28 TDs) meets the Jacks’ elite rushing defense (77.9 RYPG allowed, 2nd in FCS), setting up a “something’s gotta give” clash. With SFA’s opportunistic D forcing 1.5 turnovers per game and ACU’s road resilience (3-2 away), expect a defensive grinder in the East Texas chill—projected final: Stephen F. Austin 27-20, advancing behind Sam Vidlak’s poise and a swarming front that bottlenecks Earle’s scrambles.
Venue, Date, and Time
Venue: Homer Bryce Stadium, 1908 Wilson Dr, Nacogdoches, TX 75962. Capacity: 15,000 (FCS standard; expected sellout of 12,000+ for playoffs). This piney-woods fortress, the Lumberjacks’ home since 1986, features a fervent SFA faithful and natural grass surface that favors the Jacks’ physical run game—site of six straight home wins, including playoff upsets in 2009 and 2010.
Kickoff: 1:00 PM ET (12:00 PM CT / 10:00 AM PT).
Broadcast: ESPN+ (national streaming), FloFootball (FCS exclusive), SFA Sports Network (local radio). Pre-game axe-throwing tailgates and student sections will roar for this early kickoff, aligning with Southland playoff energy.
Weather Forecast
Nacogdoches-area weather on December 6, 2025, calls for crisp early-winter conditions, with highs around 52°F (11°C) and kickoff temps near 48°F (9°C)—slightly below historical averages (average high 58°F, low 37°F). Expect partly cloudy skies with a 30% chance of light showers (0.1 inches total precipitation), gentle winds (5-10 mph from the N), and no frost risk. The chill could favor a run-heavy game on the grass, with minimal delays; light jackets advised for fans. (Forecast based on long-range models; check Weather.com for updates.)
Team Records
| Team | Overall Record | Home/Away/Neutral Split | UAC/Southland Standings | Key Stats (PPG / Opp PPG / Rush YPG Allowed) |
| Abilene Christian Wildcats | 9-4 | 6-1 Home / 3-2 Away / 0-1 Neutral | 1st (7-1 UAC) | 29.2 / 24.1 / 142.5 |
| Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks | 10-2 | 6-1 Home / 4-1 Away / 0-0 Neutral | 1st (8-0 Southland) | 35.6 / 15.3 / 77.9 |
Abilene Christian ranks 39th in scoring offense but 47th in defense, while SFA’s 14th-ranked PPG meets the FCS’s 2nd-best rush D (77.9 RYPG), allowing just 253.7 total YPG (top-5).
Recent Team Forms
SFA’s conference dominance contrasts ACU’s late playoff surge after a midseason stumble.
Wildcats (5-1 in last 6): ACU dismantled Lamar 38-20 in their playoff opener on November 29 (Earle: 308 pass yards/4 TDs, Javon Gipson: 2 TDs), extending a four-game win streak that included a 49-28 clincher over Central Arkansas (November 22, Earle: 5 total TDs) and 31-28 upset of No. 2 Tarleton State (November 1). Losses: 35-7 at Tulsa (FBS, September 6) and 32-19 at SFA (November 23). Averaging 34.5 PPG with 405.8 total YPG (33rd in FCS) in the heater, but turnover issues (1.2 given/gm) persist—road form gritty (3-2, +2.8 margin).
Lumberjacks (7-0 in last 7): SFA locked the Southland title with a 26-15 win over Lamar on November 22 (Gavin Rutherford: 1 TD pass/1 rush TD), following a 41-17 rout of UT Rio Grande Valley (November 15, Sam Vidlak: 2 TD passes) and 34-7 over Nicholls (November 8, Jerrell Wimbley: 113 rush yards/3 TDs). Losses: Early 35-7 at Houston (FBS, August 30) and 28-20 at ACU (September 6). Averaging 36.4 PPG with 388 total YPG (38th FCS), their D has held foes to 15.3 PPG—home strong (6-1, +20.1 margin).
Conference vs. Conference
This UAC (Abilene Christian) vs. Southland (SFA) playoff matchup highlights stylistic clashes: UAC’s pass-oriented, high-variance games (avg. 54.2 combined PPG, top-10 pass offenses) vs. Southland’s physical, run-stifling defenses (avg. 48.8 combined PPG, top-5 rush D). Historically, Southland teams hold a 16-10 edge in FCS playoff meetings vs. UAC/WAC predecessors since 2010, with SFA 3-1 in such crossovers (wins over Incarnate Word 2019, Sam Houston 2021). ACU’s 1-0 in UAC playoffs (2024 win over Eastern Kentucky), but 0-1 vs. Southland (loss to SFA November 23). Expect a moderate total (proj. 49.0 points), favoring SFA’s ground control in a Texas rivalry rematch.
Injury Report
Both squads enter relatively healthy post-bye/first round; SFA monitors depth. Updates as of December 5, 2025 (FCS official report).
| Team | Player | Status | Injury Details | Impact |
| Wildcats | E.J. Wilson (RB) | PROBABLE | Ankle (limited vs. Lamar; full practice Dec. 3, 80% chance). | Change-of-pace back (105 yards/1 TD vs. Tarleton); Rovaughn Banks Jr. steps up if out. |
| Wildcats | Several OL (unnamed) | DAY-TO-DAY | Minor from Nov. 29 (per coach Patterson); rest aided. | Protection holds; Earle sacked 1.2/gm. |
| Lumberjacks | Bugs Mortimer (WR/PR) | PROBABLE | Hamstring (bye-week rehab; full Dec. 4, 90% chance). | Punt returner/slot (66-yard TD return vs. Nicholls); depth intact. |
| Lumberjacks | None major | All available | Clean slate; Vidlak/Wimbley lines full go. | Boosts confidence—D eyes 3rd straight under 20 pts allowed. |
Jacks’ health edges D; Wildcats’ tweaks test run game.
Key Player Matchups
SFA’s rush D vs. ACU’s balance spotlights; these could decide tempo.
Stone Earle (Wildcats QB) vs. SFA Secondary (Led by CB Devin Johnson): Earle’s dual-threat (72% comp, 28 TDs/5 INTs) challenges Johnson’s INTs (3); expect 250+ total yards if mobile—Earle eyes 2 TDs vs. SFA’s 50th-ranked pass D (220 PYPG allowed).
Rovaughn Banks Jr. (Wildcats RB) vs. SFA Front Seven (Anchored by LB Micah Jones): Banks’ vision (83 yards/2 TDs vs. SFA in September) tests Jones’ tackles (78); duel projects 90 rush yards for Banks, but SFA’s 2nd-ranked rush D caps at 70.
Sam Vidlak (Lumberjacks QB) vs. ACU LB (Unnamed): Vidlak’s efficiency (207 yards/3 TDs vs. UTRGV) exploits pressure; air battle favors SFA if protected (proj. 220+ yards).
Jerrell Wimbley (Lumberjacks RB) vs. Abilene Christian DL: Wimbley’s burst (113 yards/3 TDs vs. UTRGV) bullies gaps; ground duel tips over if lanes open (proj. 100+ yards).
Jacks’ D matchups control pace.
Series History
This Texas FCS rivalry dates to 1973, with SFA leading 14-12 overall (.538 win%): 26 meetings since ACU’s FCS transition in 2014. Recent: Jacks 32-19 on November 23, 2025 (Vidlak: 2 TD passes); Wildcats 28-20 on September 6, 2025 (Earle: 239 pass/1 rush TD). SFA’s wins: 35-32 OT in 2020 neutral-site. At Homer Bryce Stadium: Jacks 8-3. Trends: Overs in 7/10 recent (avg. 50.4 points); SFA covers 6-4 ATS last 10. Playoff meetings: None—first postseason clash.
Betting Trends
SFA’s home edge and rush D draw sharp money, but ACU’s September upset tempts dogs. Public: 55% on Jacks spread (58% handle on Wildcats). Trends: SFA 6-1 ATS last 7 home; ACU 5-2 ATS as underdogs >3 pts. Overs 5-2 in SFA’s last 7; ACU overs 4-3 road. Historical vs. similar: Southland favorites 9-5 SU in playoffs vs. UAC (covers 7-7 ATS); ACU 3-1 ATS last 4 as +3.5 dogs.
Historical Betting Results
In 26 meetings: SFA 14-12 SU (53.8%), 13-13 ATS (50%). Last 10: Jacks 6-4 SU, avg. margin 8.2 points (SFA 4-6 ATS). ACU 4-6 ATS as underdogs, but 6-4 O/U in losses. Playoff context: No direct, but Southland No. 7 seeds 12-8 SU in second round (55%), covering 10-10 ATS; UAC at-larges 6-14 SU but 9-11 ATS as dogs..
Game Odds
Abilene Christian Wildcats 48.5
Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks – 3.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, December 5, 2025
