Nacogdoches, TX – Stephen F. Austin football will face a particularly difficult stretch during its 2012 schedule, announced by the Southland Conference university on Tuesday.
The Lumberjacks, who won their final five games to finish with a 6-5 record this year, will open their 2012 slate on Thursday, Aug. 30 against Division II Southwestern Oklahoma.
In September, the schedule gets tougher. The Lumberjacks will play three straight road games against FBS member SMU (Sept. 8), 2011 Big Sky Conference co-champion Montana State (Sept. 15) and transitioning FCS member Texas State (Sept. 22). They will wrap up the month at home against 2011 FCS playoff qualifier Central Arkansas in their Southland Conference opener Sept. 29.
Next up is the annual Battle of the Piney Woods against 2011 FCS national finalist Sam Houston State Oct. 6 at Reliant Stadium in Houston.
SFA also will host Southland opponents Nicholls (Oct. 20), Lamar (Nov. 3) and Northwestern State (Nov. 17) and visit McNeese State (Oct. 27) and Southeastern Louisiana (Nov. 10).
"It is our goal to play a schedule that is nationally competitive every season, and the 2012 schedule is no different," SFA athletic director Robert Hill said.
2012 Stephen F. Austin Football Schedule
All Times ET
Aug. 30, vs. Southwestern Oklahoma, Nacogdoches, Texas, 7 p.m.
Sept. 8, at SMU, Dallas, TBA
Sept. 15, at Montana State, Bozeman, Mont., TBA
Sept. 22, at Texas State, San Marcos, Texas, TBA
Sept. 29, vs. Central Arkansas, Nacogdoches, Texas, 7 p.m.
Oct. 6, vs. Sam Houston State, Reliant Stadium, Houston, TBA
Oct. 20, vs. Nicholls, Nacogdoches, Texas, 3 p.m.
Oct. 27, at McNeese State, Lake Charles, La., 8 p.m.
Nov. 3, vs. Lamar, Nacogdoches, Texas, 7 p.m.
Nov. 10, at Southeastern Louisiana, Hammond, La., TBA
Nov. 17, vs. Northwestern State, Nacogdoches, Texas, 7 p.m.
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