GET HYPED!
THE DETAILS
Abilene Christian (5-5, 4-4 Southland) vs. No. 23 Southeastern Louisiana (6-3, 5-2 Southland)
Date: Saturday, Nov. 16
Kickoff: 1:05 p.m.
GameDay Program (.pdf) and on
issuu.com
TV / Web:
ESPN+
Radio:
98.1 FM - The Ticket
Real-Time Stats
SENIOR DAY
The majority of ACU senior class began their Wildcat careers in 2016, giving them the unique distinction of having played full seasons in both Shotwell and Wildcat Stadium.
As freshmen, this class was part of the team that won ACU's final game at Shotwell Stadium, and as sophomores they were victorious in their Wildcat Stadium debut. Then, as juniors last season they helped lead the program to its first winning Southland Conference season.
More importantly, this class sparked change in the classroom as evident by this summer's Most Improved APR award from the FCS ADA and last semester's 3.01 team grade-point average. Overall, 12 majors are represented by the 21 members of this year's senior day class.
ABILENE -- The Southeastern Louisiana Lions employ a two-quarterback system much like the Wildcats, and in recent weeks their offense has exploited opposing defenses from Houston Baptist, Stephen F. Austin and No. 6 Central Arkansas by posting respective point totals of 52, 47 and 34.
These eye-popping performances have propelled SLU back into the STATS and AFCA FCS Top 25 polls and into a four-way tie for first place in the Southland Conference at 5-2 along with UCA, Sam Houston State and Nicholls.
ACU's loss to the Bearkats last weekend dropped them to 4-4 so the Wildcats will need a win Saturday to clinch their second-consecutive winning season in the Southland Conference
But it won't be easy against these Lions. Southeastern ranks among the national FCS leaders in total offense (480.0 ypg, 5th), scoring offense (37.9 ppg, 9th) and passing offense (333.9 ypg, 4th). It's also worth knowing the Lion quarterback tandem of Cole Kelley (50-for-62, 649 yards, 9 TD) and Chason Virgil (195-for-292, 15 TD) have combined for the nation's best completion percentage (69.2).
SLU's defense, meanwhile, is allowing 24.8 points and 392.7 yards per game, and enters its regular season road finale ranked near the top of FCS in sacks (29, 5th) and tackles for loss (79, 6th).
"They're a real good team," said head coach
Adam Dorrel. "They have a real good and experienced head coach (Frank Scelfo), and he's had to come in there and make some changes but they've been close to the top ever since. Then he brought in former McNeese head coach Lance Guidry who is one of the best defensive minds in the country, which gives them a real good recipe for success. Their kids are playing hard and very fundamentally sound."
ACU's 48-27 victory last season over the Lions in Hammond evened the all-time series at 3-3, and snapped a two-game series losing streak. It also featured 1,062 yards of total offense -- 612 of it courtesy of the Wildcats, who dropped their two previous meetings vs. SLU by scores of 31-19 and 56-21.
Luke Anthony threw for 295 yards and three touchdowns on 29-of-37 passing, while the duo of
Billy McCrary (14 carries, 222 yards, one touchdown) and
Tracy James (18-88-2 TD) led a ACU ground attack that finished with 317 yards.
"It was a show," recalled senior cornerback
Adonis Davis. "I know we put up a lot of rushing yards (on them) last year, and defensively we seemed liked we were on the field more than anything. But it was fun coming out with that 'dub.'
