GET HYPED!
THE DETAILS
Abilene Christian (5-6, 4-5 Southland) at Mississippi State (4-6, 2-5 SEC)
Date: Saturday, Nov. 23
Kickoff: 6:39 p.m. CT
TV / Web:
SEC Network Alternate [Mark Neely (play-by-play), Hutson Mason (analyst) and Jerry Punch (sideline)]
Radio:
98.1 FM - The Ticket [
Grant Boone (play-by-play), Jim Reese (analyst)]
Real-Time Stats
BOAST NOTES (from Southeastern Louisiana Game)
- Sophomore quarterback Sema'J Davis led the Wildcats in rushing (33) and passing yards (195).His 195 passing yards tied his personal single-game high. He has passed for three touchdowns this season and run for four. He currently ranks seventh in the Southland Conference with 590 yards rushing.
- Senior running back Tracy James was kept out of the end zone for the first time all season. He ran the ball nine times for 29 yards, which was enough to eclipse 800 rushing yards for the first time in his career. James continues to lead the Southland with 10.4 points per game and 19 total touchdowns.
- Junior quarterback Luke Anthony passed Clint Longley for seventh place on the Wildcats' career passing yards list with 6,065. He needs 10 attempts to reach 1,000 for his career.
- With 89 receiving yards, senior wide receiver Josh Fink moved ahead of Johnny Knox for seventh on the school's all-time yardage list with 2,283 yards.
- Sophomore WR Kobe Clark caught six passes for 104 yards, lifting his season reception total to 76. He needs six more catches to catch Ronnie Vinson's single-season school record of 82 set in 1969. Clark has two 100-yard games this season and has 1,048 career receiving yards.
- Jeremiah Chambers surpassed 100 tackles in a single season for the second time in his career after registering nine vs. Southeastern La. (eight solo, 3 TFL). Chambers ranks first in the Southland with 6.2 solo tackles per game and second with 1.8 tackles for loss per game. He needs 11 tackles vs. Mississippi State to tie last season's total of 113.
- Adonis Davis' forced fumble and recovery were the third of his career. He has two recoveries this season.
ABILENE -- The FCS-based Abilene Christian Wildcats of the Southland Conference and FBS Power Five Mississippi State Bulldogs of the SEC each have much to play for when the two schools meet for the first time on the gridiron Saturday at Davis Wade Stadium.
For the Wildcats they're looking to finish at .500 with a 6-6 record after back-to-back home losses to Sam Houston State and Southeastern Louisiana dropped them from the FCS playoff picture. The Bulldogs also are trying to get to .500 and need to win their last two games vs. ACU and Ole Miss on Thanksgiving Day to be bowl eligible at 6-6. Mississippi State has lost five of its last six games heading into its homecoming game vs. the Wildcats.
Another reason why this game is so important for the Wildcats? Exposure.
Even though ACU has its own place on ESPN+ and has played a number of FBS schools since 2014, this is its first time being featured on the SEC Network, which has assigned the ESPN College Football broadcast team of Mark Neely (play-by-play), Hutson Mason (analyst) and Jerry Punch (sideline) to call the action from Starkville.
Kickoff is at 6:39 p.m.
"This is an amazing feeling," said defensive lineman
Corey Smith. "Just be able to play an SEC team on the SEC Network, and put our name on the map ... it's the best feeling in the world to know that my last game of my senior season will be in a vibrant stadium against some of the best and biggest opponents in the country."
Sophomore wide receive
Kobe Clark echoed many of Smith's sentiments.
"It's very exciting to get this opportunity to play an SEC school," he said. "This is something I've always dreamed about, and I think we'll be alright if we go in with a positive mindset, keep our energy up and just play our game. We want to play hard for our senior class, while showcasing our talents to a bigger audience. We can compete with the bigger schools."
For head coach
Adam Dorrel he's been telling the team all week in practice to keep have fun especially as its the last week together for this 2019 edition Wildcat Football. He also wants them to play fast and physical, tackle well, get off blocks, execute on special teams and finish with a positive turnover margin, with the end goal making the SportsCenter highlight reel. But he's also keenly aware of the many challenges presented by the Bulldogs..
"That's a good football program, obviously being based in the SEC," he said. "Their overall defense is solid. The defensive line is extremely talented. They're very athletic across the back end, and the linebackers run really well ... Offensively, they have a big playmakers at receiver. Their quarterback has a lot of moxie, and offensive line is very physical. They're also very dynamic on special teams, as far as formations and new things they're doing there ... just a real good team.
"We have to play real good. We can't turn the football over and have to get some help on special teams -- a touchdown or something like that. The big thing for us is to eliminate turnovers against a high caliber team like the Bulldogs."
