Arizona Christian Firestorm blazes into Wildcat Stadium Saturday

Needing Tickets?

Don't miss any of the action, buy your ACU football season tickets today by visiting ACUSports.com/Tickets or calling 325-674-CATS (2287)


 

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New to Wildcat Stadium?

Whether Saturday marks your first or 11th trip to Wildcat Stadium, there are more than a few things you should be aware of. Find all the answers in this handy 2019 Wildcat Football Fan Guide. Here's what else to look forward to Saturday.

Wildcat Country Tailgating

• Join us before the game for Wildcat Country Tailgating, starting at 3 p.m. on the Campus Mall. Come set up a tent, bring your own food and enjoy time with friends and family before the game. Click here to learn more about tailgating, including the process for loading in and out of the area, what you can and can't bring, and more.

Opening Game and Skydiving

• Gates open for our opening game against Arizona Christian at 4:30 p.m. with kickoff at 6 p.m. This year we have a special event before the game, weather permitting – a special skydive team, including ACU faculty member Larry Henderson, will deliver the game ball! Don't miss this special opening presentation – make sure to be in the stadium by 5:30 p.m.

Rally Cats

• Kids 12 and under are invited to join the Rally Cats kids club! Members get an exclusive T-shirt and wristband, one free general admission ticket (per sport) on Rally Cats Day and the opportunity to participate in the on-field/on-court fan tunnel at football and basketball games. 

  At Saturday's game, all children 12 and under are invited to help form the fan tunnel. Meet us at the marketing table 20 minutes before kickoff to participate.

  Rally Cats membership is just $10 per child – learn more and sign up today!
   

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Can't make it to Saturday's Game?

Watch or listen via these links
Game: Arizona Christian (0-1) at Abilene Christian (0-1)
Date: Saturday, Aug. 31
Kickoff: 6:05 p.m.
TV: ESPN+
Radio: 98.1 FM - The Ticket
Real-Time Stats 
 

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ABILENE - There's nothing but respect for Arizona Christian within the confines of Wildcat Stadium.

Although the Abilene Christian coaching staff and student-athletes don't know the Firestorm in great detail as they would a Southland Conference rival, they recognize Arizona Christian's status as underdogs and expect a harsh battle throughout all four quarters.

"We're not going to be light on them (Arizona Christian)," said senior running back Tracy James, who led the Wildcats in all-purpose yards (153) last Saturday at North Texas. Our mentality vs. them will be similar to how we are vs. North Texas or Central Arkansas."

"Like Tracy said, we can't take them lightly," added James' backfield teammate senior Billy McCrary. "They have a whole new team with DI athletes, and we have to treat them the same as North Texas."

Third-year head coach Adam Dorrel took time during last Saturday's postgame huddle to mention the challenge Arizona Christian presents, and a day earlier he reminded the Wildcats of how it felt to be down at halftime in their 2018 home opener vs. DII Angelo State -- ACU's most recent non-DI opponent.

"No matter who we're playing (FBS or NAIA), we're going to keep our process consistent. There are some high DII / FCS-type talents on these NAIA teams, lots of transfers coming up from the Arizona and California junior colleges. Their (Arizona Christian) head coach is respected, he signed more than 90 players in February in a very good recruiting area, and with so many new guys on their team it's going to be a head scratcher for us as we try to figure out who is who in warmups."

Arizona Christian added its football program the same year (2014) Abilene Christian became full-fledged members of the Southland Conference, and has only known one losing season. The Firestorm won back-to-back conference titles in the Central States Football League Championships from 2015-16, and posted an 8-3 mark during their first year in the Sooner Athletic Conference.

They are 0-1 this season after losing their 2019 lid-lifter to Montana State - Northern, 20-14, but are still receiving votes in the most recent NAIA poll.

The Wildcats appear to be the Firestorm's most high-profile opponent to date. In years past they've played DII Western New Mexico, Davenport, Simon Fraser and Texas - Permian Basin in addition to DIII Whittier College, George Fox, and Sul Ross. They beat the Lobos 42-20 in the 2018 season opener.