Stephen F. Austin beats Lamar 26-15, wins 9th straight and clinches share of Southland title

NACOGDOCHES, Texas -- , Gavin Rutherford and Jerrell Wimbley each had touchdown runs, and Stephen F. Austin jumped out early and beat Lamar 26-15 on Saturday night to clinch at least a share of the Southland Conference title. It was the ninth straight win for the FCS 17th-ranked Lumberjacks (9-2, 7-0), who have a one-game lead over Southeastern Louisiana (8-3, 6-1) in the conference and will conclude their regular season on the road against Northwestern State (0-7, 1-10). Wimbley's 13-yard touchdown run gave the Lumberjacks a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter. Rutherford's 9-yard TD run stretched the lead to 23-7 midway through the third. Wimbley had 19 carries for 65 yards rushing. Rutherford was 17-of-31 passing for 140 yards and he added 75 yards on the ground on 13 carries. Carlos Alvarado made field goals from 43 and 20 yards, and his 33-yarder made it 26-7 with 8:36 remaining.