Photo by: Brinley Price
2019 ACU Football: Year In Review
3/30/2020 8:34:00 AM | Football
ABILENE -- On the eve of what was supposed to be the final week of spring practice, I decided go back through the record book, news clippings and videos from this past football season to create an awards summary in addition to picking out my personal top-five moments from 2019.
Even though the final record wasn't what anyone expected, there were still countless highlights to revisit, and I'll always be blessed by my memories as a first-year football sports information director.
I loved seeing wide receiver Kobe Clark set the school's single-season all-time record in receptions (87) a few months after being presented with a full scholarship in fall camp, and how on more than one occasion the Wildcats had three Abilene-raised men (Slayde Anderson, Jon Crisp, Kade Parmelly) playing shoulder-to-shoulder along the offensive line. Running back Tracy James and linebacker Jeremiah Chambers cemented their status as ACU legends with First Team All-Southland Conference senior campaigns, and it was awesome to witness the emergence of quarterback Sema'J Davis (1,009 yards total offense) and cornerback Ryan Stapp, who led the team with three interceptions (55 yards) as a freshman.
Lastly, I considered it an honor to be welcomed into meals and huddles and hear from coaches who practice what they preached. Not every practice was perfect, and not every game was a victory, but Coach Dorrel and his staff always made it a point to accentuate the positive, lift spirits, revisit goals, preach the importance of individual accountability, recognize the contributions of the scout team players, and always close in prayer.
I believe this message of consistency and responsibility led to spiritual growth and another +3.00 term GPA (Fall 2019) with 75 student-athletes making it to the Southland Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll. A tip of the cap goes to all who made the Honor Roll and ACU Dean's List, in particular senior wide receiver Josh Fink and junior linebacker Jack Gibbens. Fink earlier this month was awarded a $10,000 postgraduate scholarship from the NCAA, while Gibbens earned the distinction of First Team Academic All-America.
1. Defense denies SFA on Homecoming (video | recap)
2. Tracy James' Immaculate Reception 2.0 vs. McNeese (video | recap)
3. Ryan Stapp goes the distance (sort of) at Lamar (video)
4. Blair Zepeda's 51-yard field goal at Central Arkansas (video | recap)
5. Braelon Hill makes SportsCenter Highlight Reel at Mississippi State
Simple Ratings System: 67th (of 126 teams)
Southland Conference Standing: 6th (of 11 teams)
Scoring Offense: 28.0 points per game (54th / 5th)
Passing Offense: 243.8 yards per game (40th / 8th)
Scoring Defense: 28.6 points per game (69th / 5th)
Passing Defense: 264.8 yards per game (111th / 7th)
Rushing Defense: 138.5 yards per game (33rd / 4th)
Scoring: Tracy James (10.0 points per game / 6th FCS)
Solo Tackles: Jeremiah Chambers (5.8 per game / 9th FCS)
Fumbles Recovered: Jeremiah Chambers (3 / 3rd FCS)
Total Touchdowns: Tracy James (20 TD / 5th FCS)
Scoring: Tracy James (10.0 points per game / 6th FCS)
Solo Tackles: Jeremiah Chambers (5.8 per game / 9th FCS)
Tackles For Loss: Jeremiah Chambers (1.7 TFL per game / 5th FCS / 2nd Southland)
Fumbles Recovered: Jeremiah Chambers (3 / 3rd FCS)
Team Game
Individual Career
Individual Season
Individual Game
Jeremiah Chambers
STATS Perform Second Team FCS All-America
Jeremiah Chambers
HERO Sports Third Team FCS All-America
Jeremiah Chambers
HERO Sports Freshman All-America Honorable Mention
Ryan Stapp
STATS Perform Second Team FCS Preseason All-America
Jeremiah Chambers
All-Southland Conference (5)
Cole Burgess (Third Team)
Jeremiah Chambers (First Team)
Adonis Davis (Second Team)
Kameron Hill (Third Team)
Tracy James (First Team)
Southland Conference Player of the Week (1)
Josh Fink (Oct. 14)
Southland Preseason All-Conference (5)
Jeremiah Chambers (First Team)
Josh Fink (Second Team)
Billy McCrary (First Team)
Bolu Onifade (Second Team)
Kade Parmelly (Second Team)
Josh Fink
CoSIDA Academic All-America (2)
Josh Fink (Second Team)
Jack Gibbens (First Team)
CoSIDA Academic All-District 7 (4)
Luke Anthony
Josh Fink
Jack Gibbens
Kade Parmelly
FCS ADA Academic All-Stars (2)
Luke Anthony
Josh Fink
Southland Conference All-Academic (5)
Luke Anthony
Adonis Davis
Josh Fink
Jack Gibbens
Kade Parmelly
Southland Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll: 75 with 13 student-athletes with a 4.0 Fall 2019 Term GPA
2019 Fall Term GPA: 3.01
Even though the final record wasn't what anyone expected, there were still countless highlights to revisit, and I'll always be blessed by my memories as a first-year football sports information director.
I loved seeing wide receiver Kobe Clark set the school's single-season all-time record in receptions (87) a few months after being presented with a full scholarship in fall camp, and how on more than one occasion the Wildcats had three Abilene-raised men (Slayde Anderson, Jon Crisp, Kade Parmelly) playing shoulder-to-shoulder along the offensive line. Running back Tracy James and linebacker Jeremiah Chambers cemented their status as ACU legends with First Team All-Southland Conference senior campaigns, and it was awesome to witness the emergence of quarterback Sema'J Davis (1,009 yards total offense) and cornerback Ryan Stapp, who led the team with three interceptions (55 yards) as a freshman.
Lastly, I considered it an honor to be welcomed into meals and huddles and hear from coaches who practice what they preached. Not every practice was perfect, and not every game was a victory, but Coach Dorrel and his staff always made it a point to accentuate the positive, lift spirits, revisit goals, preach the importance of individual accountability, recognize the contributions of the scout team players, and always close in prayer.
I believe this message of consistency and responsibility led to spiritual growth and another +3.00 term GPA (Fall 2019) with 75 student-athletes making it to the Southland Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll. A tip of the cap goes to all who made the Honor Roll and ACU Dean's List, in particular senior wide receiver Josh Fink and junior linebacker Jack Gibbens. Fink earlier this month was awarded a $10,000 postgraduate scholarship from the NCAA, while Gibbens earned the distinction of First Team Academic All-America.
Top-Five Moments from 2019
(submit your favorite memories in the Facebook or Twitter comments section)1. Defense denies SFA on Homecoming (video | recap)
- "It was awesome. We knew that we needed to get a stop and at least force them to a field goal. Thankfully he (kicker Storm Ruiz) actually missed the last field goal. It was really close on that first overtime drive, he (running back Da'Leon Ward) actually almost scored but we pushed him right out on the 1-yard line, and then we just tied down knowing that they weren't going to run the ball on us. That's the mindset we've installed for the last two years and we executed really well." - Jeremiah Chambers
2. Tracy James' Immaculate Reception 2.0 vs. McNeese (video | recap)
- "That play is always just luck. When you're put in those predicaments, you need the right person to make that play. Luckily I was the one at that time ... I feel like I blacked out, it's just a natural thing that happens, but once I turned around I knew the ball was out and I believe the defensive end was bobbling it and so I just grabbed it and ran for my life (to the 1-yard line)." - Tracy James
3. Ryan Stapp goes the distance (sort of) at Lamar (video)
- "I just turned my head around and saw the ball in the air, so just by instinct I went up to get it. Once I did, all I could think of was to try to find my way to the endzone. Everyone on our defense, as soon as I caught that ball, they just started blocking for me right away. None of the guys gave up, they all blocked all the way down the field so that definitely helped me out a lot.
"I didn't think about swatting it down, my instinct was to take the ball from anyone else in the area … I've returned kicks all my life, and so this (interception) was somewhat similar to that, being able to find the open gaps and where my guys are. I'm guess I'm pretty good at following my blockers. I'm always looking for them and base that off of where I need to go." - Ryan Stapp
4. Blair Zepeda's 51-yard field goal at Central Arkansas (video | recap)
- Zepeda made three field goals at 14th-ranked Central Arkansas, including a 51-yard near the start of the fourth quarter that gave ACU a 20-17 advantage. He became the first Wildcat to make a 50+yard field goal since Nov. 12, 2011 when Morgan Lineberry made one from 54 yards out at Incarnate Word.
- "He's had to come back from a significant injury and he kicked really well in practice all week and kicked well tonight. He's a young guy ... I'm super proud of him for coming back from the injury that he came off of, and it's a testament to his character." - Adam Dorrel
5. Braelon Hill makes SportsCenter Highlight Reel at Mississippi State
- In the leadup to ACU's SEC Network+ game at Mississippi State, head coach Adam Dorrel told his team to make SportsCenter in a positive fashion, and Braelon Hill did just that albeit from the sideline while getting stretched out.
Stretching on the sideline and still made the grab.
— ESPN (@espn) November 24, 2019
Light work 🖐 pic.twitter.com/aIvddjdN85
2019 ACU Football Summary
Final Record: 5-7 (4-5 Southland)Simple Ratings System: 67th (of 126 teams)
Southland Conference Standing: 6th (of 11 teams)
FCS / Southland Rankings
Total Offense: 412.7 yards per game (37th / 5th)Scoring Offense: 28.0 points per game (54th / 5th)
Passing Offense: 243.8 yards per game (40th / 8th)
- 4th Down Conversion Pct.: 0.640 (10th / 1st)
- First Downs Offense: 276 (21st / 5th)
Scoring Defense: 28.6 points per game (69th / 5th)
Passing Defense: 264.8 yards per game (111th / 7th)
Rushing Defense: 138.5 yards per game (33rd / 4th)
- Fumbles Recovered: 14 (6th / 2nd)
- Team Sacks: 3.00 per game (10th / 3rd)
- Team Tackles for Loss: 8.1 per game (11th / 4th)
Southland Conference Leaders
Total Touchdowns: Tracy James (20 / 5th FCS)Scoring: Tracy James (10.0 points per game / 6th FCS)
Solo Tackles: Jeremiah Chambers (5.8 per game / 9th FCS)
Fumbles Recovered: Jeremiah Chambers (3 / 3rd FCS)
Top-10 FCS Leaders
Receptions Per Game: Kobe Clark (7.3 rpg / 6th FCS / 3rd Southland)Total Touchdowns: Tracy James (20 TD / 5th FCS)
Scoring: Tracy James (10.0 points per game / 6th FCS)
Solo Tackles: Jeremiah Chambers (5.8 per game / 9th FCS)
Tackles For Loss: Jeremiah Chambers (1.7 TFL per game / 5th FCS / 2nd Southland)
Fumbles Recovered: Jeremiah Chambers (3 / 3rd FCS)
ACU Record Book Additions
Team Season- DI Era
- 2,027 Rushing Yards
- 448 Rushing Attempts
- 19 Field Goals Attempted (T1st)
- 1 Kick Return Touchdown (T1st)
- 4 Fumble Returns
- 383 Assisted Tackles
- 96.0 Tackles for Loss
- 36.0 Quarterback Sacks
- 18 Fumbles Forced
- 14 Fumbles Recovered (T1st)
- 42 Quarterback Hurries
- 85 Opponent Punt Return Yards (5.0 yards per return)
Team Game
- DI Era
- 425 Net Yards Rushing vs. Arizona Christian (Sept. 7, 2019)
- 703 Most Total Offensive Yards Gained vs. Arizona Christian (Sept. 7, 2019)
- 102 Tackles at Lamar (Oct. 5, 2019)
- 14.0 Tackles for Loss vs. Sam Houston State (Nov. 9, 2019)
Individual Career
- All-Time (Ranking)
- Rushing Yards: 2,451 yards, Tracy James (5th)
- Rushing Attempts: 532, Tracy James (4th)
- Rushing Touchdowns: 26, Tracy James (6th)
- Pass Attempts: 1,028, Luke Anthony (6th)
- Pass Completions: 659, Luke Anthony (3rd)
- Passing Yards: 6,320, Luke Anthony (7th)
- Passing Touchdowns: 51, Luke Anthony (5th)
- Pass Receptions Yards: 2,323, Josh Fink (7th)
- Pass Receptions: 188, Josh Fink (3rd)
- All-Purpose Yards: 3,430, Tracy James (8th)
- Total Points Scored: 224, Tracy James (8th)
- Touchdowns Scored: 37, Tracy James (4th)
- Total Tackles: 293, Jeremiah Chambers (10th)
- DI Era
- Touchdowns Responsible For: 54, Luke Anthony
- Punt Yards: 8,108, Simon Laryea
- Punt Attempts: 206, Simon Laryea
- Interceptions: 7, Adonis Davis (T1st)
- Fumble Returns: 2, Jeremiah Chambers
- Passes Defended: 33, Adonis Davis
- QB Hurries: 16, Temisan Kuyatsemi
Individual Season
- All-Time
- Most Passes Caught: 87, Kobe Clark
- DI Era
- Rushing Touchdowns: 14, Tracy James (T1st / T6th All-Time)
- Receptions Per Game: 7.25, Kobe Clark
- Points Scored: 120, Tracy James (4th All-Time)
- Touchdowns Scored: 20, Tracy James (4th All-Time)
- Fumbles Recovered: 3, Jeremiah Chambers
- Fumble Returns: 2, Jeremiah Chambers
- Tackles For Loss: 20.5 Jeremiah Chambers
- QB Hurries: 11, Bright Ihegworo (T1st)
Individual Game
- DI Era
- Most Field Goals Made: 3, Blair Zepeda (T1st)
Athletic Awards
Phil Steele Second Team FCS Postseason All-AmericaJeremiah Chambers
STATS Perform Second Team FCS All-America
Jeremiah Chambers
HERO Sports Third Team FCS All-America
Jeremiah Chambers
HERO Sports Freshman All-America Honorable Mention
Ryan Stapp
STATS Perform Second Team FCS Preseason All-America
Jeremiah Chambers
All-Southland Conference (5)
Cole Burgess (Third Team)
Jeremiah Chambers (First Team)
Adonis Davis (Second Team)
Kameron Hill (Third Team)
Tracy James (First Team)
Southland Conference Player of the Week (1)
Josh Fink (Oct. 14)
Southland Preseason All-Conference (5)
Jeremiah Chambers (First Team)
Josh Fink (Second Team)
Billy McCrary (First Team)
Bolu Onifade (Second Team)
Kade Parmelly (Second Team)
Academic Awards
NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship (1)Josh Fink
CoSIDA Academic All-America (2)
Josh Fink (Second Team)
Jack Gibbens (First Team)
CoSIDA Academic All-District 7 (4)
Luke Anthony
Josh Fink
Jack Gibbens
Kade Parmelly
FCS ADA Academic All-Stars (2)
Luke Anthony
Josh Fink
Southland Conference All-Academic (5)
Luke Anthony
Adonis Davis
Josh Fink
Jack Gibbens
Kade Parmelly
Southland Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll: 75 with 13 student-athletes with a 4.0 Fall 2019 Term GPA
2019 Fall Term GPA: 3.01
Players Mentioned
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PK
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