NACOGDOCHES — Northwestern State put together its fair share of big plays to turn back the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks in the 2018 capper for both teams.

Northwestern State’s Myles Ward returned the second-half kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown, and the Demons rushed for 182 yards in turning back the Lumberjacks 35-23 at Homer Bryce Stadium on Thursday night.

SFA (2-8, 2-7) closed a frustrating season in typical fashion.

Twice the Lumberjacks failed to score while inside the Demons’ 5-yard line. Late in the game with NSU protecting a five-point lead, SFA roughed NSU’s kicker on a missed field goal attempt.

The penalty gave NSU a first down that resulted in a touchdown and a 35-23 lead with about five minutes to play.

The Lumberjacks were competitive, as they have been in most games this season. But, as the final game progressed, their execution didn’t come close to matching the Demons.

With SFA’s run game limited to just 103 yards, the offense was in the hands of senior quarterback Foster Sawyer, who threw for 325 yards, including a 71-yard scoring pass to Brownsboro’s Tamrick Pace that gave SFA a 10-7 lead in the first half.

Pace also threw for 49 yards on a trick play. Three receivers – Terian Goree (10-138 yards), Remi Simmons (10-97 yards) and Pace (8-128 yards) – had huge games in the defeat.

Both teams gained 477 yards. One big difference – SFA was 0-for-4 on fourth down tries.

Northwestern State stunned the Lumberjacks with the kickoff return, got 98 yards and a score from tailback Jared West and rode an efficient game from quarterback Shelton Eppler. He threw for 295 yards and two scores to Jaylon Watson, one for 20 yards and the other for 75 early in the fourth quarter that pushed NSU’s lead to 28-16.

SFA closed to 38-23 on a five-yard run by Dominic Williams with 8:44 left.

The Lumberjacks had NSU stopped on its next possession, only to have the roughing the kicker penalty give the Demons a first down that led to the clinching score.