Wildcats take stage in Cincinnati
10/23/2009 2:39:00 PM | Football
CINCINNATI, Ohio – The three former Abilene Christian University Wildcats currently in the NFL will take the same field Sunday in Cincinnati as the Bengals and running back Bernard Scott host the Chicago Bears and defensive back Danieal Manning and wide receiver Johnny Knox.
ACU president Dr. Royce Money and athletic director Jared Mosley, as well as other university representatives and alumni, will be at the game, which is set for a 3:15 p.m. (central time) kickoff from Paul Brown Stadium.
Manning joined the Bears in 2006 and started on their Super Bowl team. Last year, he led the NFL in kickoff return average. He's currently second on the Bears in tackles (32) with a forced fumble and fumble recovery.
Knox is among the leading contenders, if not the front-runner, for NFL Rookie of the Year through the first six games of the season. He's scored four touchdowns – three receiving and one on a 102-yard kickoff return against Detroit. Knox currently leads the NFL in kickoff return average among those with at least one return per game. He also leads all NFL rookies with four total touchdowns.
Scott has seen limited playing time on offense but is a mainstay of the Bengals kick return and coverage units. Through six games, Scott has rushed 10 times for 45 yards and has a 27.5 yard average on two kickoff returns.
All three played for ACU head coach Chris Thomsen, who has led the Wildcats to three consecutive postseason berths at the NCAA Division II level.
Manning played for Thomsen in his final season in 2005 before leaving early for the NFL; Scott and Knox, both junior college transfers, played for Thomsen in 2007-08 and helped the Wildcats produce some of the most prolific offensive numbers in NCAA history.
For example, Scott had seven touchdowns and more than 350 all-purpose yards and Knox 125 yards receiving and a touchdown in Abilene Christian's 93-68 victory over West Texas A&M in last year's second-round playoff game. Scott won the 2008 Harlon Hill Trophy as the best player in Division II.
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