Sawyer throws game-winning TD with 2 seconds left as SE Louisiana tops Stephen F. Austin 24-23

Oct 20, 2024, 02:37 am

HAMMOND, La. -- — Eli Sawyer hit Darius Lewis with a 3-yard touchdown with two seconds left and Southeast Louisiana pulled out a 24-23 win over Stephen F. Austin Saturday night to maintain the top spot in the Southland Conference.

SE Louisiana (4-4) has won three straight games to start the conference season.

Antonio Martin Jr. ran 10 yards for a first-quarter touchdown and Sawyer nosed in from the 1 to give the Lions a 14-7 lead at intermission. Riley Callaghan kicked a 32-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter to take a 14-10 lead, but Gavin Rutherford's 2-yard touchdown put the Lumberjacks in front 20-17 and Chris Campos extended it to 23-17 with a 40-yard field goal with 1:56 left.

Southeast Louisiana started its game-winning, 75-yard drive by stalling at its own 27-yard line before Sawyer hit Errol Rogers for 17 yards on fourth-and-8 to get new life. Sawyer and Lewis connected on five passes in the final drive, including a 19-yard completion to set up a first down at the SFA 9 with 15 seconds left. Sawyer found Cade Collier for 6 yards before hitting Lewis for the TD.

Sam Vidlak was 29-of-38 passing for 244 yards and a touchdown to lead Stephen F. Austin (4-3, 2-2).

Sawyer finished 24 of 35 for 234 yards and a touchdown for SE Louisiana. Martin finished with 21 carries for 87 yards and Lewis caught 11 passes for 96 yards, including 46 yards in the final drive.

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