ABILENE – The 19th-ranked ACU?Wildcats return to Shotwell Stadium coming off their biggest loss in a decade, and they find their oldest rival awaiting them.
Saturday's game marks the 68th renewal of the series between ACU?and Texas A&M-Commerce (formerly East Texas State), a series that dates back to 1922, ACU's fourth season of intercollegiate football. The Wildcats hold a 38-27-1 lead in the all-time series and have won three straight over the Lions.
Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at Shotwell Stadium. The game can be heard locally on 92.5 FM.
The last time the teams played was Sept. 12, 2009, at the Harvey Martin Classic at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. ACU?walked out of the historic stadium with a 20-14 overtime win over the Lions in a game that was played in a heavy rain.
The Wildcats won the game when
Drew Cuffee picked off a pass on the first play of overtime and returned it 85 yards for a touchdown to end the contest.
This week the Wildcats are seeking redemption after last week's 70-28 loss at Midwestern State knocked them out of first place in the Lone Star Conference and, barring an upset of MSU in the next three weeks, ended their chances of repeating as LSC?champions.
The loss to the Mustangs represents the Wildcats' largest margin of defeat in Thomsen's seven-year tenure as the head coach, and the biggest overall since a 65-16 loss at Central Arkansas in the 2001 season-opener.
Last Saturday's loss dropped ACU?10 spots in the American Football Coaches' Association national poll (to No. 19 in this week's rankings), but, more important, has the Wildcats at No. 5 in the NCAA?Division II?Super Region Four rankings, which were released Monday.
Only two regional rankings will be released:?this week's and on Sunday, Nov. 13, when the six teams from the region that earn playoff berths will be announced. If the Wildcats can win their final three games – today against Texas A&M-Commerce, next Saturday (Nov. 5) at Texas A&M-Kingsville and Nov. 12 at home against Incarnate Word – they will likely earn their sixth straight playoff berth.
ACU junior quarterback Mitchell Gale leads the LSC?in passing yards per game (332.6), touchdown passes (17), passing yards (2,328) and total offense (341.1 yards).
Sophomore wide receiver
Taylor Gabriel has become Gale's most reliable pass-catcher with 42 receptions for 604 yards and six touchdowns. He ranks second in the LSC in yards per game at 86.3.
The Lions are struggling, bringing an 0-7 record with them into Saturday's game. They have given up at least 39 points in five of their seven games and have been outscored an average of 39-21.
J.J. Harp – the former starting quarterback at Eastern New Mexico – is now the starter at Commerce, and he enters today's game having completed 98 of 161 passes for 969 yards and five touchdown passes to go along with six interceptions.
Marcus Graham leads the running game with 222 yards and two touchdowns on 64 carries, while Taylor Fore has 45 catches for 448 yards and two touchdowns.
Offensively, the Lions average just 316 yards per game, while the defense is allowing 424 yards per game.
