Southeastern Heads to No. 6/7 UCA for Southland Game of the Week

Southeastern Louisiana (5-3, 4-2 SLC) at No. 6/7 Central Arkansas (7-2, 5-1 SLC)
Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019 | 3 p.m. | Conway, Ark. | Estes Stadium (10,000)
Series History: UCA leads 9-3
Last Meeting: Central Arkansas 33, Southeastern Louisiana 25 (Sept. 15, 2018 – Hammond, La.)
Television: ESPN+ (Announcers: John Liddle, Shea Walker and Lainie Fritz)
Radio: Southeastern Sports Radio Network (KSLU 90.9, Kajun 107.1, The Highway 104.7, The Boss 103.7 FM/1400 AM WFPR — Announcers: Robbie Rhodes and Kemmler Chapple

HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana football team faces a tough road test on Saturday, facing No. 6/7 Central Arkansas at 3 p.m. in Estes Stadium on the UCA campus.

The Southland Game of the Week between the Lions (5-3, 4-2 Southland) and the host Bears (7-2, 5-1 Southland) will be televised on ESPN+ and can be heard on the Southeastern Sports Radio Network (KSLU-FM (90.9), Kajun 107.1 FM, The Highway 104.7 FM and The Boss 103.7 FM/1400 AM WFPR), online at www.LionSports.net/listenlive and via the Lions Game Day and TuneIn Radio apps.

UCA enters the week alone atop the Southland Conference standings. However, SLU is one of three teams – along with Sam Houston State and Nicholls – just a game back in the standings at 4-2 in league play.

“We’re facing a very good, deep, well-coached football team on Saturday,” Southeastern head coach Frank Scelfo said. “But we’re pleased to be heading into these final three games in control of our destiny. Both of these teams play hard for 60 minutes and we’re expecting a great game in Conway.”

The Lions head to Conway on a two-game winning streak after defeating Stephen F. Austin, 47-30, last Saturday. SLU rushed for a season-high 222 yards on the way to the victory over the Lumberjacks.

Southeastern ranks among the national FCS leaders in total offense (478.8 yards per game, 6th), scoring offense (38.4 ppg, 8th) and passing offense (333.5 ypg, 3rd). Chason Virgil (2,292 yards, 15 TD, 9 INT) and Cole Kelley (376 yards, 8 TD, 0 INT) split time under center for the Lions.

15 different receivers have caught passes from the Lion quarterback duo. The quintet of CJ Turner (44 catches, 499 yards, 4 TD), Devonte Williams (37-305-2 TD), Austin Mitchell (30-609-7 TD), Bransen Schwebel (30-328-3 TD) and Javon Conner (26-281-2 TD) have been the top targets for Virgil and Kelley.

Williams also leads SLU on the ground with 332 yards, as he, Kelley and Taron Jones each share the team lead with four touchdowns apiece.

Opponents are averaging 409.1 yards and 27.9 points per contest against the Lions. Alexis Ramos leads the team with 53 tackles, followed by Tre’ Spann (41), Donniel Ward-Magee (40), Xavier Lewis (40), Trae Drake (40) and Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund (40).

Southeastern continues to rank among the national leaders in tackles for loss (72, 6th) and sacks (27, 7th). The trio of Adeyemi-Berglund (14.0 TFL, 7.0 sacks), Josh Carr Jr. (12.0 TFL, 5.5 sacks) and Ronald Cherry III (9.0 TFL, 4.0 sacks) fuel the SLU pass rush.

Ferlando Jordan has a school record three interception returns for a touchdown this season, while Xavier Lewis has two picks. Carr Jr. leads the team with eight pass breakups from his defensive end position.

On special teams, Austin Dunlap is second in the Southland with a 43.6 punting average, while Bryce Broussard (6-7 FG, 37-40 PAT) has been accurate in his debut season.

The No. 9/10 Bears carry a four-game win streak into Saturday’s contest. Last Saturday, UCA was too much for Lamar in a 45-17 road victory.

The Central Arkansas-SLU clash will feature two of the nation’s most prolific passing offenses, as UCA ranks fifth in the FCS with 327.9 passing yards per game. Breylin Smith (2,848 yards, 24 TD, 8 INT) is fourth in passing yards and seventh in passing touchdowns in the FCS national rankings, leading a UCA offense that is averaging 399.6 yards and 29.4 points per game.

The trio of Lujuan Winningham (50 catches, 814 yards, 8 TD), Carlos Blackman (40-319-4 TD) and Tyler Hudson (38-687-8 TD) are Smith’s favorite targets. Blackman (484 yards, 5 TD) is also the Bears’ top rusher.

Opponents are averaging 425.1 yards and 27.3 points per game versus the Bears. Juan Jackson (45 tackles), Nathan Grant (9.0 TFL) and Robert Rochell (4 INT, 8 PBU) are among the UCA defensive leaders.

The Lions are 3-9 all-time versus Central Arkansas. UCA has won the last four meetings between the two schools, including a 33-25 victory last season in Hammond.

Up Next
Southeastern will close out its regular season road schedule next Saturday, facing Abliene Christian at 1 p.m. in Abilene, Texas. The game will be televised on ESPN+ and can be heard on the Southeastern Sports Radio Network (KSLU-FM (90.9), Kajun 107.1 FM, The Highway 104.7 FM and The Boss 103.7 FM/1400 AM WFPR), online at www.LionSports.net/listenlive and via the Lions Game Day and TuneIn Radio apps.

TICKETS
For ticket information, please contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net/tickets. The Lions’ remaining home schedule will see SLU welcome Southland Conference foe Nicholls (Nov. 21).

2019 PROMOTIONS
For full details on promotions surrounding the Southeastern Louisiana football team’s 2019 home schedule visit www.LionSports.net/FootballPromos.

INSIDE SOUTHEASTERN FOOTBALL WITH FRANK SCELFO
Inside Southeastern Football With Frank Scelfo will air every Monday through Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. at Tope La Catering (113 East Thomas Street) in downtown Hammond. Hosted by Scelfo, the Lions’ second-year head coach, and Allen Waddell, the hour-long show will air on the Southeastern Sports Radio Network (KSLU-FM (90.9), Kajun 107.1 FM, The Highway 104.7 FM and The Boss 103.7 FM/1400 AM WFPR). Fans can also listen live at www.LionSports.net/listenlive and via the Lions Game Day and TuneIn Radio apps. A live video stream of the show will be available at www.youtube.com/sluathletics.

SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Football, follow @LionUpFootball and @Coach_Scelfo on Twitter, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.

TOUCHDOWN CLUB/S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the football program are encouraged to join the Touchdown Club. Lion football alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.

All membership fees and donations to both the Touchdown Club and S Club (football) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern football program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.

CLEAR BAG POLICY
Southeastern Athletics instituted a clear bag policy for all ticketed events, effective with the start of the 2018 football season. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/clear.