SFA travels to Bozeman for their first FCS Quarterfinal game since 2009

NACOGDOCHES, Texas (KTRE) - The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks received a sendoff from fans Thursday morning before departing for their FCS playoff quarterfinal game against the Montana State Bobcats.

The Purple Haze and other SFA supporters gathered at Homer Bryce Stadium to show their support for the team ahead of Friday night’s game.

“Yeah, it’s awesome. We got some such great fans and, uh, support here and the students and faculty and just see everybody shows up. It kind of gets me. Fired up. A little emotional, but, uh, we’re, we’re fired up and ready to go,” said coach Colby Carthel.

The Lumberjacks will face Montana State at 8 p.m. Friday at Bobcat Stadium. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.

SFA plans to bring more than 500 supporters to the game, including half of the Lumberjack marching band.

“We’re gonna have some great support up there. I think we’re gonna be over 500 strong. Taking the lumberjack marching band with us. So, uh, half band will travel and, uh, got a bunch of fans and everybody else. So, uh, we’re gonna have a great showing and, uh, hopefully you have a great showing on the field as well,” Carthel said.

Carthel acknowledged the challenging environment his team will face playing on the road.

“Give ‘em, give ‘em something to cheer about. It’s gonna be a hostile environment. We’re the, we’re the bad guys. We’re the villains coming in, uh, the lions den, but we’ll, uh, we’ve had a great week of practice and, and I’m looking forward to the game tomorrow night,” he said.

The ‘Jacks will hit the field at Bobcat Stadium Friday night to try and punch their ticket back to the FCS semifinals against Montana State, with first kick being set for 8:00 p.m. on ESPN.