Stakes remain high for FB Lions

SAGU hopes to spoil three homecomings

Team can achieve lofty goals in final 4 games

WAXAHACHIE, Texas  --  Saturday’s 41-0 blanking of Haskell University has energized the football team at Southwestern Assemblies of God University as they prepare for the stretch drive this season.

The Lions, at 2-4, have four games remaining. This Saturday, October 20, begins the first of three straight road games.

To win at each of the away sites, however, will require a special focus as the three teams have chosen SAGU as their homecoming opponent. That will likely serve as plenty of motivation for a Lions team still bent on making their mark with the best record in the young program’s history.

Should the team run the table and finish 6-4, they could earn a berth in the 32-team, National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) playoffs.

Even if they didn’t receive a bid as an independent, they would have a chance to play in the Victory Bowl on November 17.

The National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA), with members that range from the NAIA to Division 2 of the NCAA, selects the top two ranked teams (who are not in the playoffs in their respective associations) to meet in the Victory Bowl.

SAGU has suffered three setbacks at the wire, all by a touchdown or less, and in each they had the ball and a chance win in the closing minutes.

Even with the hard luck finishes, they have much to play for in the final month.

Here is a sneak peak at their schedule, which has the challenges of winning on the road as well as a few positive match-ups. (Opponents’ current record in parenthesis)

October 20  -  SAGU at Wayland Baptist University (1-5)

The 2:00pm game in Plainview, Texas (north of Lubbock), is homecoming for the host Pioneers, who are playing football for the first time since 1940.

Fans can view the game on-line by accessing the video livestream through CTVT – College TV Ticket at $7.99. Details and an access link will be posted on Friday.

Wayland’s most recent game was a 24-23 loss to Austin College (2-5). They play at Greg Sherwood Memorial Bulldog Stadium (artificial surface; capacity 8,000) in the High Plains, 364 miles northwest of Waxahachie.

October 27 - SAGU at Oklahoma Panhandle State Univ. (3-3)

The Lions will take on the Aggies (NCAA Division II) in Goodwell, Ok., and a 481 mi. trek from Southwestern. OPSU fell at Bacone College on Saturday, 40-7.

Southwestern is looking for their first win in the series, which has seen them lose the three times; 38-22 (2011), 35-31 (2010) and 50-48 (2009) in double overtime.

The Aggies play on natural grass at Carl Wooten Field.

November 3 - SAGU at Langston University (3-3)

A battle of the Lions will pit Southwestern against the Langston Lions at W.E. Anderson Stadium (cap. 30,000). The setting will probably include a packed crowd with a live band and a team SAGU has an 0-5 mark against since 2004.

Langston has won the past meetings; 41-13 (2011), 41-27 (2010) and 37-10 (2009).

The LU Lions, who held off Texas College, 14-7, on Saturday, are located in their namesake city (north of OKC), some 275 mi. due north of Waxahachie.

November 10 - Texas College (1-6) at SAGU

The Steers and SAGU will meet to end the regular season for the fourth consecutive season. The visitors have ruined each other’s Senior Day each time.

Dating back to 2004, Texas College leads the series 4-2, though the Lions have topped the 'Horns in two of the last three; 31-20 (2011), 13-27 (2010) and 28-20 (2009).

The home finale will be aired by SAGU Sports Live at Lumpkins Stadium (cap. 10,000) in a 2:00pm (CST) kickoff.

Contact: Mark “Link” Warde, SAGU Sports Information Director, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 469-658-2847.