Sept. 1, 2003

The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack football team climbed one notch in the latest Sports Network Top 25 poll released Monday, to number 23. SFa was idle in week one and will open the season next week at UL-Monroe. The Indians were 49-7 losers to LSU last Saturday.

SFA is one of four Southland Conference teams ranked in the top 25 with McNeese State Clamping down its hold on the top spot. The Cowboys collected 58 first place votes this week after a convincing win over Division II, Henderson State last Saturday in Lake Charles. Georgia Southern remains second in the poll this week with Montana jumping past Western Illinois into the third spot. Western Illinois is fourth with Western Kentucky, the 2002 national champions at number five.

Northwestern State comes in at number 18 this week with Nicholls State just behind at number 19. Both teams opened with impressive wins in the first week of the season.

SFA has been ranked at least one week each season under Mike Santiago but opens the year in the top 25 this season for the first time since 1998.

The 'Jacks take on UL-Monroe Saturday night in Monroe, La.. Game time is 7:00 p.m.