Rutherford tosses 3 TDs, and Stephen F. Austin beats McNeese 38-27

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LAKE CHARLES, La. (AP) — Gavin Rutherford threw for 302 yards and three touchdowns as Stephen F. Austin beat McNeese 38-27 on Saturday in the season and Southland Conference opener for both teams.

Rutherford completed 18 of 29 passes, with touchdowns to Bugs Mortimer, Clayton Wayland and Stetson Sarratt. Mortimer caught two passes for 72 yards, while Wayland had 45 yards receiving and Sarratt added 43.

Stephen F. Austin, which entered the game ranked No. 13 in the FCS Stats Perform Top 25, scored 24 unanswered points after falling behind 7-0. Jaylen Jenkins scored on a 1-yard run before the Lumberjacks returned a Jake Strong interception for a touchdown to take a 24-7 halftime lead.

Rutherford connected with Wayland for a 35-yard score early in the third quarter, then found Sarratt from 33 yards out late in the period to extend the lead to 38-13.

McNeese scored twice in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to 11, but that was all it mustered.

Omiri Wiggins rushed for 126 yards on 12 carries, including a 75-yard touchdown. Jenkins led Stephen F. Austin with 82 yards rushing and a touchdown on 19 carries. ___

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