Game Notes

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The Southeastern Louisiana University football team begins its final stretch of the season as it plays a pair of games in five days, beginning on Saturday against Stephen F. Austin in a Southland Conference game at Homer Bryce Stadium.

Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. The game can be heard in the Hammond area on KSLU-FM (90.9), in the New Orleans area on WGSO-AM (990) and on the internet at www.LionSports.net.

Southeastern (2-7, 1-4 Southland) begins its final stretch where it faces No. 7-ranked SFA (7-2, 4-1 Southland) before traveling to face arch-rival Nicholls State in the annual River Bell Classic on Thursday in a regionally-televised contest. The Lions look to snap a four-game losing streak after opening Southland Conference play with a 49-24 win over Texas State on Oct. 9.

The Lions enter Saturday's game with the 18th-ranked passing offense among schools in the Football Championship Subdivision, averaging 250 yards per game. Senior quarterback Tyler Beatty, who is tied for sixth in school history in completions (164), seventh in attempts (317) and eighth in yards (1,953), has thrown 12 touchdowns on the season and is ranked No. 41 nationally in total offense (211.6 yards per game).

Simmie Yarborough has paced Southeastern with 46 receptions and is nine catches from passing former Lion Felton Huggins (162 receptions from 2003-05) as the school's all-time leader. Yarborough, who already passed Huggins for the school record for career receiving touchdowns, is third in school history with 1,853 yards.

University of Texas transfer Brandon Collins (41 receptions, 690 yards, four TDs), has produced a school-record three consecutive 100-yard receiving games for the Lions while Kory Theodore (28 receptions, 488 yards, three TDs) and Andre Cryer (24 receptions, 206 yards) are next. On the ground, Sam Fairley (412 yards, one TD) leads Southeastern with former Springfield product Zeke Jones (345 yards, seven TDs) next.

Defensively, Mark Newbill has recorded 108 tackles – his third consecutive year with 100 or more tackles – and is tied for sixth nationally in stops. Tommy Connors (83 tackles, 10 for loss, three interceptions) is next in tackles for Southeastern with Curtis Strong (53 tackles, four interceptions), Nathan Clophus (48 tackles, six tackles for loss, five sacks) and Ryan Godare (47 tackles) next.

Freshman Seth Sebastian has converted on 8 of 12 field goals for the Lions, including seven straight while going 24-for-25 in extra point attempts for Southeastern. Beau Mothe has averaged 38.4 yards per punt overall for the Lions while Ron Walker has averaged 20.1 yards per kick return.