#7 SFA Earns First-Round Bye, Awaits Lamar–ACU Winner on FCS Selection Sunday

NACOGDOCHES (TXAN 24) — Stephen F. Austin is in a prime spot heading into the FCS playoffs. Slotted at No. 7 nationally, the Lumberjacks earned a first-round bye and will move straight into Round 2, where they’ll face the winner of Lamar and No. 10 Abilene Christian.

For SFA, the bye comes at the perfect time. It gives the ’Jacks a chance to reset, get healthy, and sharpen the details before hosting one of two familiar in-state rivals. Lamar brings a physical, run-heavy identity, while ACU enters with the higher ranking and one of the more balanced offenses in the field.

No matter who advances, Week 2 sets up a Texas showdown with major stakes. A win there would send SFA to the quarterfinals for the first time in over a decade — and the buzz in Nacogdoches is already building.

Bracket details and kickoff time for Round 2 will be announced later today on Selection Sunday.