While disappointed with a 28-7 loss to Texas State Saturday, SFA coach J.C. Harper said the Lumberjacks can still reach its goals by winning the last three games of the regular season.

"We still control our destiny," the third-year coach said. "If we win out, we're guaranteed at least a share of the title."

But winning out will contist of some challenges.

SFA's final three games consist of Saturday's 6 p.m. home date against Nicholls State and road games to end the regular season against Southeastern Louisiana (Nov. 14) and Northwestern State (Nov. 21).

The middle game could be the big one.

Southeastern Louisiana (5-3), a 25-21 winner over Central Arkansas Saturday, is one of four league teams tied atop the SLC standings with one loss. SLU, SFA, McNeese and Texas State are all 3-1.

This week's opponent, Nicholls State, is 1-7 overall and 0-4 in the SLC.

The Colonels have battled injuries and youth throughout the season, but are starting to play better late in the campaign. They lost to McNeese State 38-17 Saturday.

"We're trying to overcome a lot of obstacles this season," Nicholls coach Jay Thomas said. "We're missing some players in our secondary and just have a young team.

"When it rains, it pours."

While the Colonels run the triple option on offense, they have some weapons at wide receiver this season.

Senior Anton Robinson has 20 catches for 299 yards. Junior Donovan Tate has 10 catches for 100 yards.

The Colonels received a big rushing game from senior fullback Marlin Meeks against McNeese State Saturday. Meeks rushed for 143 yards on 25 carries with one touchdown.

Meeks is the team's top rusher with 404 yards on 83 carries.

The Lumberjacks have won three of the last four in the series with Nicholls, including a 50-39 decision over the Colonels last season in Thiboduax, La.

"I've said all along that Nicholls State is going to win a league game," Harper said. "They always play us tough. It won't be any different this game. They are going to give us everything they've got."

Here are the remaining schedules of the four SLC teams that are tied atop the standings with 3-1 marks.

SFA: Nicholls State, Nov. 7; at Southeastern La., Nov. 14; at Northwestern State, Nov. 21.

SLU: at Northwestern, Nov. 7; SFA, Nov. 14; Nicholls, Nov. 19.

McNeese: Sam Houston, Nov. 7; at Texas State, Nov. 14; Central Arkansas, Nov. 21.

Texas State: at Central Arkansas, Nov. 7; McNeese, Nov. 14; Sam Houston, Nov. 21.

Southland Conference

Football Standings

Team SLC All

SFA 3-1 6-2

McNeese 3-1 6-2

SLU 3-1 5-3

Texas St. 3-1 5-3

C. Ark. 2-2 5-3

Sam Hous. 2-2 4-4

Nicholls 0-4 1-7

NSU 0-4 0-8

Saturday's results

Texas State 28, SFA 7

McNeese 38, Nicholls 17

SLU 25, UCA 21

Sam Houston 34, NSU 30

This week's schedule

Nicholls at SFA, 6 p.m.

Texas State at UCA, 6 p.m.

SLU at NSU, 2 p.m.

Sam Houston at McNeese, 7 p.m.