Rutherford, Stephen F. Austin beat Incarnate Word 28-26 for 16th straight regular-season win

Stephen F. Austin's Gavin Rutherford completed three touchdown passes to lead his team to a 28-26 victory over Incarnate Word, marking the Lumberjacks' 16th consecutive regular-season win and their 11th in a row within the Southland Conference. Ranked No. 7 by Stats Perform, Stephen F. Austin began the season with a school-record seven-straight victories.

Incarnate Word, which clinched the Southland title on November 16, 2024, by defeating the Lumberjacks 27-20, has not secured a conference win since that match. Emmett Brown completed 27 of 52 passes for 373 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions for Incarnate Word (2-3, 1-1). Jeremiah Young recorded a career-high three sacks.

Brown secured the final score with a 53-yard touchdown pass to Jacob Emmers with 22 seconds left. Following a penalty on an offensive pass interference, Brown's subsequent pass to Jayden Hibbler fell incomplete, allowing the Lumberjacks to maintain their lead. David Rasor scored the only touchdown for Incarnate Word with a 1-yard run on a 10-play, 70-yard drive, which narrowed the gap to 14-20 in the third quarter.

Rutherford connected with Preston Alford for a 8-yard touchdown catch-and-run, and hit Clayton Wayland for an 8-yard touchdown on the opening play of the fourth quarter, extending the score to 28-20. Field-goal attempts from 29, 56 (blocked by Young), and 43 yards all went wide for Lumberjacks kicker Carlos Alvarado, the latter attempt coming with 48 seconds remaining.

Sophomore Makai Frisby, a transfer from Norfolk State, recorded his fourth interception of the season for the Lumberjacks.