Nelson again provides game-winner
10/12/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Wildcats knock off UCO, 22-20
Nelson's field goal gives ACU second straight win
ABILENE -- Abilene Christian placekicker Eben Nelson kicked a 36-yard field goal with 2:33 to play in the game, and the Wildcat defense snuffed out a last-second Central Oklahoma drive with an interception in Saturday's 22-20 ACU win over the Bronchos in a Lone Star Conference game at Shotwell Stadium.
The game-winning field goal was the second in as many weeks for Nelson, who last week kicked a 49-yard field goal with no time left in ACU's 20-19 win over Eastern New Mexico.
Nelson's field goal capped an eight-play, 47-yard drive that was keyed by a 19-yard pass from Colby Freeman to Dillon Cobb on third-and-21 from the Central Oklahoma 38-yard line. The pass play allowed the Wildcats to get into field goal range for their sophomore placekicker.
The win was the second straight for ACU, the first time since midway through the 1999 season that the Wildcats have won back-to-back games. The Wildcats are now 2-3 overall and 2-0 in the LSC, while UCO falls to 2-4 and 0-2.
ACU led 13-7 at halftime, thanks to a pair of touchdown passes from Freeman, first a 4-yarder to Doug Ginapp early in the second quarter, and then a 24-yarder to Roddy Alexander with less than two minutes to play in the first half.
The Bronchos, though, regained the lead in the third quarter, marching 91 yards on nine plays to score on a Dusty Borror's 22-yard run on a reverse. ACU regained the lead, however, when Freeman found freshman receiver Don Hooks over the middle, and he did the rest, weaving in and out of traffic to complete the 37-yard touchdown pass. Hooks was flagged for taunting after the score, and the ensuing penalty forced a miss from Nelson on the PAT, leaving ACU's lead at 19-14 with 13:58 left in the game.
The Bronchos answered quickly, moving 80 yards into a 30-mph wind to regain the lead, capping the drive on a 1-yard run by Erick Johnson with 10:05 to play. Freeman threw his second interception of the night on ACU's ensuing drive, but ACU's defense rose up and stopped the Bronchos on downs, turning the ball back over to ACU with 6:31 to play. Freeman then whipped the Wildcats down the field to Nelson's go-ahead field goal.
The Bronchos had one last chance, and they almost made the most of it, moving 36 yards on nine plays to the ACU 44-yard line. However, on fourth-and-9 from the ACU 44-yard line, Johnson was intercepted by Larry Conway at the ACU 9-yard line, and the Wildcats were able to run out the final 47 seconds to claim the win.
ACU running back Eric Polk led all rushers with 111 yards on 28 carries, while Freeman completed 18 of 28 passes for 272 yards and three touchdowns. Central Oklahoma was led by its all-America receiver, Dee Dee Carter, who caught 10 passes for 151 yards.
The Wildcats will be back in action Saturday at 2 p.m. when they host rival Angelo State in a Lone Star Conference South Division matchup during ACU Homecoming festivities at Shotwell Stadium.
Score by Quarter
1
2
3
4
Final
UCO
7
0
7
6
20
ACU
0
13
0
9
22
Scoring Summary
UCO -- Erick Johnson 1 run (A.J. Haglund kick)
ACU -- Doug Ginapp 4 pass from Colby Freeman (Eben Nelson kick)
ACU -- Roddy Alexander 24 pass from Freeman (Bryson Galloway run failed)
UCO -- Dusty Borror 22 run (A.J. Haglund kick)
ACU -- Don Hooks 37 pass from Freeman (kick failed)
UCO -- Johnson 1 run (Darien Hall run failed)
ACU -- Eben Nelson 36 field goal
Team Statistics
UCO
ACU
First Downs
22
21
Rushes-Yards
37-172
39-145
Passing Yards
266
272
Comp.-Att.-Int.
18-29-1
18-28-2
Total Offense
66-438
67-417
Punts-Avg.
1-52
2-34.5
Fumbles-Lost
0-0
1-0
Penalties-Yards
6-45
12-76
Time of Possession
27:25
32:35
Individual Statistics
Rushing
Central Oklahoma: Jason Phenix 25-107; Darien Hall 6-36; Dusty Borror 1-22; Erick Johnson 5-7.
Abilene Christian: Eric Polk 28-111; Charlie Williams 3-20; Colby Freeman 5-10; DaRay Sims 1-5; Team 2-(-1).
Passing
Central Oklahoma: Erick Johnson 18-29-1 266 yards.
Abilene Christian: Colby Freeman 18-28-2 272 yards, 3 TD.
Receiving
Central Oklahoma: Dee Dee Carter 10-151; Brandon Whiteley 3-48; Brent Ingram 2-47; Nick Bobeck 2-22; Jason Phenix 1-(-2)..
Abilene Christian: Dillon Cobb 4-50; Don Hooks 3-98, 1 TD; DaRay Sims 3-42; Roddy Alexander 2-36, 1 TD; Eric Polk 2-22; Tony Cunningham 2-15; Brett Unger 1-5; Doug Ginapp 1-4, 1 TD.
