CollegeFootballDigestfrom CooperSearch

Northwestern State vs. Stephen F. Austin

Northwestern State and Stephen F. Austin have 23 meetings on file, the first in 1976; Stephen F. Austin leads the series 12–⁠11 in the games on file. Over the last 10 meetings it’s Stephen F. Austin 6–⁠4, and Stephen F. Austin has won the last 4. The winner takes home the Chief, played for since 1961. Stephen F. Austin has held it since the 2019 game.

Northwestern State wins
11
Stephen F. Austin wins
12
Ties
0
Earliest on file
1976
Longest streak
4 Northwestern State
Current streak
4 Stephen F. Austin
Last 10 meetings
Stephen F. Austin 6–⁠4
Most recent
2025

The series at a glance

’0’1’2’3’4’5’6’7’8’9W–L
1970s4–⁠0
2000s3–⁠3
2010s4–⁠6
2020s0–⁠3
Average margin
20.3 points; 3 decided by one score (8 or fewer)
At Northwestern State
7–⁠6 Northwestern State’s record at home
At Stephen F. Austin
6–⁠4 Stephen F. Austin’s record at home
Shutouts
2

Every meeting on file, as played. Ranks are the AP poll’s going in.

The Chief

Played for since
1961
Held by
Stephen F. Austin since the 2019 game
Games for it on file
23 Northwestern State 11, Stephen F. Austin 12

Who holds it comes from the games on file: the winner of the latest regular-season meeting since 1961 (bowl rematches aren’t played for it); a tie leaves it with the holder (the usual rule; the article doesn’t say). The rivalry’s article counts the games for it: Northwestern State leads, 32–⁠22–⁠1. From Wikipedia’s list of rivalry games and the rivalry’s article (CC BY-SA). More on the Chief.

Games that tell the story

  1. Northwestern State’s biggest win1976: Northwestern State 47, Stephen F. Austin 0by 47 points
  2. Stephen F. Austin’s biggest win2025: Stephen F. Austin 62, Northwestern State 14by 48 points
  3. Upset2019: Stephen F. Austin 32, Northwestern State 20Stephen F. Austin had a 31% chance, by our ratings before kickoff

Both programs through the years

End-of-season Elo ratings of Northwestern State and Stephen F. Austin, 1976 on13001500170019801990200020102020

Our Elo rating at the end of each season, a measure of how strong a team was, not a forecast; 1500 is an average FBS team.

Every game

Nov 19, 2026Northwestern State at Stephen F. Austin upcomingat Stephen F. Austin
Nov 20, 2025Stephen F. Austin 62, Northwestern State 14at Northwestern State
Oct 5, 2024Stephen F. Austin 59, Northwestern State 17at Stephen F. Austin
Sep 16, 2023Stephen F. Austin 41, Northwestern State 7at Northwestern State
Nov 21, 2019Stephen F. Austin 32, Northwestern State 20at Northwestern State
Nov 15, 2018Northwestern State 35, Stephen F. Austin 23at Stephen F. Austin
Nov 18, 2017Northwestern State 38, Stephen F. Austin 21at Northwestern State
Nov 19, 2016Stephen F. Austin 45, Northwestern State 31at Stephen F. Austin
Nov 21, 2015Northwestern State 33, Stephen F. Austin 17at Northwestern State
Nov 22, 2014Stephen F. Austin 27, Northwestern State 24at Stephen F. Austin
Nov 23, 2013Northwestern State 40, Stephen F. Austin 27at Northwestern State
Nov 17, 2012Stephen F. Austin 34, Northwestern State 17at Stephen F. Austin
Nov 19, 2011Stephen F. Austin 33, Northwestern State 0at Northwestern State
Nov 20, 2010Stephen F. Austin 36, Northwestern State 13at Stephen F. Austin
Nov 21, 2009Stephen F. Austin 19, Northwestern State 10at Northwestern State
Nov 17, 2007Northwestern State 31, Stephen F. Austin 12at Northwestern State
Nov 16, 2006Stephen F. Austin 20, Northwestern State 11at Stephen F. Austin
Nov 17, 2005Northwestern State 41, Stephen F. Austin 21at Northwestern State
Nov 20, 2004Northwestern State 37, Stephen F. Austin 16at Stephen F. Austin
Nov 22, 2003Stephen F. Austin 44, Northwestern State 14at Northwestern State
Sep 15, 1979Northwestern State 27, Stephen F. Austin 21at Northwestern State
Sep 16, 1978Northwestern State 21, Stephen F. Austin 14at Stephen F. Austin
Sep 24, 1977Northwestern State 20, Stephen F. Austin 6at Stephen F. Austin
Sep 18, 1976Northwestern State 47, Stephen F. Austin 0at Northwestern State

Every game is listed as played on the field.