United Athletic Conference

 

Stephen F. Austin checked in at the top of the ASUN-WAC Power Ranking that was released on Oct. 24, posting a 0.8820 rating with a 4-0 record in countable games. Abilene Christian was second in the power ranking at 0.7163 with a 4-1 countable record. The ASUN-WAC Power Ranking is calculated by bracketologist Warren Nolan utilizing a measure similar to the NCAA RPI to determine the recipient of the automatic bid from the WAC and ASUN for the FCS Playoffs. Countable Games include any scheduled contests against FCS teams eligible for the FCS Championship, any team that is reclassifying to FCS and is in the reclassification process, or any FBS or FBS reclassifying teams. Tarleton, Utah Tech, Sam Houston and Jacksonville State are ineligible for the 2022 FCS Playoffs due to reclassification.

 

Stephen F. Austin won its third straight game to climb into a tie for the conference lead thanks to a 41-38 win on the road at Southern Utah on Oct. 22. The Lumberjacks and Thunderbirds combined for 1,061 yards of total offense (7.5 yards per play) and 45 first downs.

 

Xavier Gipson exploded for a season-high 256 yards receiving on 10 catches for SFA, logging two touchdowns in the first half. Gipson recorded 256 of the 298 passing yards on the day from Trae Self. Self tossed three touchdowns in the game and ran for a fourth score.

 

Justin Miller completed 22-of-34 passes for 297 yards and three touchdowns with no turnovers for Southern Utah, as Isaiah Wooden contributed six catches for 132 yards and a touchdown. Braedon Wissler ran for 155 yards on just 14 carries and scored a 27-yard touchdown for the Thunderbirds. Trent Whalen finished the game with 18 total tackles.

 

Sam Houston picked up a fourth consecutive victory, and its third straight by eight points or less, with an 18-13 triumph at Utah Tech on Oct. 22. The Bearkats held off a Trailblazer rally in the fourth quarter which saw the hosts score 10 unanswered points to draw within five points with more than six minutes to play. The Sam Houston defense limited Utah Tech to 262 yards from scrimmage, at an average of 3.6 yards per play.

 

Keegan Shoemaker hit 23-of-40 passing attempts for 278 yards and a touchdown in the Sam Houston win, running for an additional 70 yards on eight attempts. Cody Chrest registered 10 catches for 154 yards to lead the Bearkats, and Al’Vonte Woodard logged five grabs for 65 yards and a score in the victory.

 

Victor Gabalis threw for 193 yards and one touchdown for Utah Tech, with Joey Hobert finishing the game with seven catches for 55 yards and the score. Malaki Malaki registered 12 tackles and a 0.5 TFL for the Trailblazers.

 

Tarleton improved to 5-2 in the 2022 season with a 24-10 nonconference win against Southwest Baptist on Oct. 22. The Texans recorded four team sacks and forced two turnovers in the contest.

 

Derrel Kelly III gained 117 rushing yards on 18 carries (6.5 yards per carry) and scored three touchdowns on the ground for Tarleton. Kelley’s three scores on the ground equaled a conference high for the season.

 

Segun Ijiyera made seven tackles that included 2.0 sacks and 3.0 TFL in the Texans win. Donovan Banks added two tackles for loss and a full sack. 

 

As of the latest NCAA FCS football national statistics report that was released on Oct. 22, Southern Utah was the top team in the country with a 42.05 net punting yards average and ranked third with 17 turnovers gained and fifth with a 1.25 turnover margin. SFA has averaged 35.89 punt return yards per game to rank first in the nation and five blocked kicks checked the Lumberjacks in fourth overall.

 

Southern Utah’s Jake Gerardi remained the national punting leader with an average of 48.8 yards per boot. Sam Houston’s Seth Morgan has hit 2.20 field goals per game to rank first nationally, with SFA’s Chris Campos just behind in fourth (1.75 FG per game). SFA’s Xavier Gipson has logged 787 receiving yards to sit second nationally in the metric. Southern Utah’s Rodrick Ward has averaged 1.8 passes defended per game to lead FCS football, and teammates Justin Miller was fourth with 2,180 yards passing and Isaiah Wooden was fourth with 22.81 yards per reception.