Rivers leads NW State to 33-17 win over Stephen F. Austin

Natchitoches, La. (AP) Stephen Rivers threw for 302 yards on 20-of-30 passing and Northwestern State had a strong second half to beat Stephen F. Austin 33-17

Natchitoches, La. (AP) Stephen Rivers threw for 302 yards on 20-of-30 passing and Northwestern State had a strong second half to beat Stephen F. Austin 33-17 in Southland Conference play on Saturday.

Ed Eagan caught eight passes for 75 yards and Daniel Taylor rushed for 64 yards and one touchdown for Northwestern State (4-7, 4-5), which closed out the season by winning four of its last six games.

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Zach Conque threw for 168 yards and one touchdown for Stephen F. Austin (4-7, 4-5), but suffered two interceptions. Leroy Armstrong grabbed one, returning it 18 yards for a score.

The Lumberjacks scored first when Conque hit Aaron Piper on a 40-yard strike. Northwestern State answered with 17 straight points to take a 17-14 lead at the break. The Demons added 10 more in the third to go into the fourth, leading 27-17.