Venue & Kickoff
Location: Wildcat Stadium, Abilene, Texas
Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM CT / 5:00 PM PT
Broadcast: ESPN+
Capacity: 12,000
Weather Forecast (Abilene, TX – Kickoff)
Conditions: Clear skies, warm evening
Temperature: ~83°F at kickoff, mid‑70s by game’s end
Wind: SSE at 5–7 mph
Precipitation: 0%
Impact: Minimal; ideal for offensive execution
Injury Report
Stephen F. Austin
No major injuries reported after Week 1 loss at Houston (27–0)
Abilene Christian
No significant injuries reported after Week 1 loss at Tulsa (35–7)
Team Records & Recent Form
SFA: Struggled offensively vs. Houston; QB Gunnar Rutherford 4/7, 53 yds, 1 INT; defense allowed 408 total yds.
ACU: QB Sema’J Earle 13/19, 140 yds, 1 INT vs. Tulsa; RB Jermiah Vaughn 50 rush yds; defense allowed 463 total yds.
Key Player Matchups
QB Gunnar Rutherford (SFA) vs. ACU Secondary
Rutherford: Needs to stretch the field; ACU allowed 8.2 YPA in opener.
RB Jerrell Jenkins (SFA) vs. LB D’Anthony Doyle (ACU)
Jenkins: Physical runner; Doyle: Defensive leader, sideline-to-sideline range.
WR Xavier Gipson Replacement Corps (SFA) vs. CBs Jermiah Tyler & Tyrese White (ACU)
SFA’s new WR group must win 1-on-1s; ACU corners are aggressive in press coverage.
QB Sema’J Earle (ACU) vs. SFA Pass Rush
Earle: Accurate short passer; SFA had 2 sacks vs. Houston.
RB Jermiah Vaughn (ACU) vs. SFA Front Seven
Vaughn: 3.3 YPC in opener; SFA allowed 4.7 YPC vs. Houston.
Series History
All-Time: Stephen F. Austin leads 14–11
Last Meeting: SFA 32–19 (Nov. 23, 2024, Nacogdoches)
Trend: SFA has won 8 of last 10 meetings since 2016
Largest SFA Win: 51–34 (1999)
Closest Game: 24–23 (1980)
Betting Trends
SFA: 5–5 ATS in last 10; UNDER in 8 of last 10
ACU: 4–8 ATS in last 12; OVER in 6 of last 12
Home team has won 4 of last 6 meetings
Game Outlook
This is a renewal of a long-standing Texas rivalry with early-season momentum on the line. SFA will look to rebound from a shutout loss by leaning on its defense and run game, while ACU aims to protect home turf with a balanced attack. Expect a physical, possession-driven contest where turnovers could swing the outcome.
Game Odds
Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks 53.5
Abilene Christian Wildcats – 3.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 5, 2025
