You probably didn’t have the Houston Cougars and the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks on your "must-watch" rivalry bingo card. Honestly, most people didn't. For decades, these two Texas schools existed in completely different orbits, one climbing the ranks of the Power Four and the other becoming a staple of the FCS. But when they finally met up again on August 28, 2025, at TDECU Stadium, it wasn't just another lopsided paycheck game. It was weird. It was historic. And for SFA fans, it was a reminder of a time when they actually held the keys to the series.
Before that 2025 kickoff, the all-time record was legitimately in favor of the Lumberjacks. Yeah, you read that right. SFA led the series 2-1. They hadn’t played in 77 years—since 1948—back when both schools were grinding it out in the Lone Star Conference.
The 2025 Rebirth: What Actually Happened
The Cougars eventually took care of business with a 27-0 shutout victory, evening the series at 2-2. But the final score hides a lot of the "first-game-of-the-season" ugliness that made the night interesting. Houston’s new quarterback, Conner Weigman—the highly touted transfer from Texas A&M—made his debut under center. He didn’t light the world on fire with 500 yards, but he was efficient. 159 yards. Three touchdowns. No picks.
He found Tanner Koziol for an 11-yard strike to open the scoring, and later hooked up with J’Marion Burnette on a 39-yard swing pass that showed off the kind of speed Houston fans have been begging for. Still, the offense felt a little clunky. Head coach Willie Fritz actually gave his offensive line a "C" grade after the game. When you have a 6-foot-9 tackle like Dalton Merryman and still struggle to pick up a yard on 3rd and 1, people notice.
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SFA, led by coach Colby Carthel, didn't just roll over. Their defense was scrappy, forcing five punts and recording 8.0 tackles for loss. But their offense just couldn't breathe. They were held to 144 total yards. Imagine being Sam Vidlak, the SFA quarterback who threw for 27 touchdowns the year before, and being held to just 52 yards. It was a long night in the Houston humidity for the guys from Nacogdoches.
A History That Feels Like Ancient Folklore
To understand why uh vs sfa football is even a talking point, you have to look at the 1940s. It’s basically prehistory in football terms.
- 1946: Houston won 16-7.
- 1947: SFA punched back with a 25-14 win.
- 1948: SFA won again, 21-13.
Then... nothing. For nearly eight decades. The Cougars went off to the Southwest Conference, then the C-USA, the American, and finally the Big 12. SFA stayed true to its roots, eventually becoming a powerhouse in the Southland Conference.
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The 2025 game was the first time they played as members of different subdivisions (FBS vs. FCS). It's a classic "David vs. Goliath" setup that Texas football thrives on. People in Nacogdoches still talk about those 1940s wins like they happened yesterday, and honestly, having a winning record against a Big 12 school for 77 years is a legendary flex.
Defensive Masterclass or Offensive Rust?
The biggest takeaway from the most recent matchup was the Houston defense. Under coordinator Austin Armstrong, they looked terrifying. They only allowed seven first downs the entire game. Ethan Sanchez, the kicker who transferred from Old Dominion, was perfect, hitting from 40 and 43 yards.
But if you’re a Houston fan, you’re looking at that 27-0 score and wondering why it wasn't 50-0. The Cougars were 3-of-3 in the red zone, which is great, but they lacked the "killer instinct" to blow the doors off a team they were favored to beat by 22.5 points.
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On the other side, SFA showed they belong in the conversation for the FCS playoffs. Linebacker Jaydon Southard was a monster, racking up 11 tackles. If they can play that level of defense against Southland opponents like Abilene Christian or McNeese, they’re going to be a problem.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If these two schools schedule each other again—which, let's be real, they probably will for the "all-Texas" appeal—here is what you need to keep in mind:
- Watch the O-Line Metrics: Houston has the size, but the chemistry in Fritz’s system takes time. Early-season games against FCS opponents are often closer than the spread suggests because of "Week 1 jitters."
- The "Paycheck Game" Factor: SFA is 49-45-5 all-time in season openers. They are historically prepared for the first week of the season. Don't assume an FBS blowout is a lock.
- Recruiting Ties: Both coaches, Fritz and Carthel, recruit the same Texas high schools. There is a lot of "I know that guy" energy on the field, which leads to more physical, chippy play than a standard out-of-state matchup.
The series is now tied. The "Lumberjack Lead" is officially dead, but the 2025 game proved that this matchup has more teeth than your average FBS-FCS blowout. It’s a battle for Texas pride, and for a few hours on a Thursday night in August, Nacogdoches and Houston were the center of the football world.
Next Steps for the 2026 Season:
Keep an eye on SFA's progression in the Southland Conference. They used the Houston game as a litmus test, and their defensive performance suggests they could be a top-10 FCS program by the time the playoffs roll around. For Houston, the focus shifts to Big 12 play. If the offense doesn't find its rhythm behind that massive offensive line, the 27 points they put up against SFA might be their high-water mark for a while.