Football Boast Notes from El Paso

Looking Back at UTEP

• Abilene Christian lost its season opener at UTEP, 17-13, on Sept. 19. It was the first meeting between the two schools since 1959.

• The game was remarkbly even from a statistical perspective. Below is a quick comparison:

• The Wildcats’ defense set several game records vs. an FBS opponent (since 2013), including fewest all-purpose yards (317) and attempts (51), lowest average gain per play (5.0) and per rush (2.9), fewest passing yards (195) and total offense yards gained (293). UTEP’s 317 all-purpose yards were the fourth-fewest allowed by the Wildcats since jumping into the DI ranks in 2013, ahead of only 2017 Houston Baptist (243), 2019 Arizona Christian (235) and 2014 Incarnate Word (224).

• Freshman Jermiah Dobbins scored his first collegiate touchdown on only his second touch of the first quarter at the 9:03 mark.

• For the second straight game vs. an FBS opponent, the Wildcats have had three players post a single run of 10 or more yards. Tyrese White (10), Jermiah Dobbins (11) and Peyton Mansell (12) accomplished this feat vs UTEP, while White (13), Sema’J Davis (10) and Kobe Clark (10) did so last November at Mississippi State.

• Receivers Remington Lutz (35), L.J. McConnell and Taelyn Williams (49) each had at least one reception of 35 yards or more. They are the first Wildcat trio to catch a deep pass (35+ yards) since Sept. 27, 2014 when Cade Stone (39), Demarcus Thompson (36) and Jonathan Epps (59) all did similarly at Houston Baptist.

• Jordan Brooks-Wess’ 27-yard punt return was the longest by a Wildcat since Justin Miller’s 33-yarder vs. Houston Baptist on Sept. 17, 2016.

• Byron Robinson’s team best seven tackles were a career single-game high.

• The all-time series between the Wildcats and Miners is tied at 3-3.

• Five of the six games have been played in El Paso. ACU also won a 20-13 game during the 1951 season in Midland, Texas.

Looking Ahead to Army

• Abilene Christian’s game at West Point is its first vs. Army and second vs. a service academy. The Wildcats dropped their 2016 season opener at Air Force, 37-21.  

• Army is ACU’s first FBS opponent from the east coast, and one of two on this year’s schedule along with Virginia (Nov. 21). This is ACU’s first game in The Empire State as the Wildcats’ most recent appearance in the northeast was a 1995 game at New Haven (L, 7-33).  

• According to research by former ACU sports information director and professor emeritus Dr. Charlie Marler, sprinter James Segrest was the first Wildcat athlete to set foot on the grounds of West Point. When he was on the USA team that ran against Russia in Moscow in 1958, he and the team gathered at West Point, were quartered there and worked out there in July 1958.

ICYMI

• Senior offensive lineman Kade Parmelly was recognized as the FCS Player of the Week for Sept. 15. The league’s twitter page revealed three clues about Parmelly pertaining to his academic awards, on field-performance and community service before showcasing his introductory video. Parmelly completed his undergraduate degree (kinesiology) in just three years. He also is a Dean’s List Award recipient and a two-time Southland Football All-Academic Team member.