Gavin Rutherford threw for 302 yards and three touchdowns as Stephen F. Austin beat McNeese 38-27 on Saturday in the season and Southland Conference opener for both teams. Rutherford completed 18 of 29 passes, with touchdowns to Bugs Mortimer, Clayton Wayland and Stetson Sarratt. Mortimer caught two passes for 72 yards, while Wayland had 45 yards receiving and Sarratt added 43. Stephen F. Austin, which entered the game ranked No. 13 in the FCS Stats Perform Top 25, scored 24 unanswered points after falling behind 7-0. Jaylen Jenkins scored on a 1-yard run before the Lumberjacks returned a Jaks Strong interception for a touchdown to take a 24-7 halftime lead.
Rutherford tosses 3 TDs, and Stephen F. Austin beats McNeese 38-27
