Wildcats set to face perennial Southland power McNeese State

Gameday Central

LAKE CHARLES, La. – The ACU Wildcats step up in class in terms of opposition Saturday when they take on the nationally ranked Cowboys of McNeese State (#9 by The Sports
Network / #10 by FCS Coaches) in a key Southland Conference matchup.

Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. from Cowboy Stadium where McNeese State expects a capacity crowd (17,810) for Homecoming festitivites. The Wildcats enter the game at 4-3 overall and 2-1 in the Southland Conference, while the Cowboys are 3-2 and 1-1 in the league after falling last Saturday, 38-22, at Sam Houston State.

Local fans can listen to the game on 98.1 FM The Ticket or online at www.the98x.com. The game can be viewed online at ESPN3.

After an 0-2 start, the Wildcats have four of their last five games and carry a 2-1 Southland Conference record into their game against the Cowboys. The Wildcats are 2-1 on the road this season and are 6-8 on the road since head coach Ken Collums took over in 2012.

ACU will once again be without the services of starting outside linebacker Lynn Grady (groin) and defensive end Rob Boyd (concussion). Blake Rudd will start in place of Grady, while Cameron Briscoe will start in place of Boyd. Tight end Jonathan Parker will be back in the Wildcats' lineup Saturday after missing last week's game.

ACU carries the league's top-ranked passing offense (311.1 ypg), second-ranked total offense (477.9 ypg) and fourth-ranked scoring off ense (36.0 ppg) into the game against McNeese State. The Cowboys, meanwhile, lead the Southland in scoring defense (19.0 ppg) and passing defense (186.6 pyg) and are second in total defense (321.8 ypg).

The Wildcats are third in the league in turnover margin (plus-6) with 10 takeaways (four fumble recoveries and six interceptions) against just four turnovers (all interceptions). ACU has only fumbled the ball twice this season and hasn't lost either one. McNeese State, meanwhile, is fourth in the league in turnover margin at plus-4 with nine takeaways (four fumble recoveries and five interceptions) and only five turnovers (one fumble and four interceptions).

The Wildcats have lost three games this season by a total of 10 points (38-37 at Georgia State, 27-21 vs. Northern Arizona and 24-21 vs. Lamar).

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Players Mentioned

Rob Boyd

Cameron Briscoe

Lynn Grady

Jonathan Parker

Blake Rudd