Football Resumes Saturday when UNA Visits

Saturday, October 14

Abilene

3 p.m.

Abilene Christian

North Alabama

Photo by: Natalie Wright

10/10/2023 5:04:00 PM | Football

By: Ray Fink

ABILENE – After a week off, Abilene Christian returns to Wildcat Stadium on Saturday for its Homecoming Game against North Alabama at 3 p.m.

The Wildcats enter the game at 2-3 on the season and 0-1 in the United Athletic Conference.

North Alabama is 2-4 overall and 0-2 in the UAC. The Lions also are coming off of their bye week.

ACU Storylines

ON THE LINE: Tackles Reese Moore and Rafiti Ghirmai, guards Jacob Thielen and Alan Hatten and center Tay Yanta have provided the Wildcats with a solid offensive line, allowing just four sacks over four games this season. The Wildcats are 25th in the FCS in sacks allowed at 1.2 per game.

GOING DEEP: ACU quarterback Maverick McIvor averages 14.38 yards per completion this season, a mark that leads the WAC and ranks 13th in the FCS. He is 74 for 132 passing for 1,64 yards. He has nine touchdown passes against two interceptions this season. He is second in the league and 24th nationally with 8.06 yards per attempt.

BIG PLAY BLAYNE: Blayne Taylor averages 22.77 yards per reception for the Wildcats. He is seventh in the FCS and second in the Western Athletic Conference with that average. He leads the Cats with 13 receptions, 296 yards and four touchdown receptions.

WRECKING CREW: The Wildcat linebackers have been active this season. Darius Moore leads the team with 37 tackles, Cirby Coheley has a team-best 2.5 sacks to go with 4.5 tackles for loss and three quarterback hurries. Kenton Wilhoit has two sacks and three tackles for loss.

TURNOVER DUDE: Patrick Jolly has been a stealthy thief for the Wildcats. The cornerback has two interceptions, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery this season. He also has broken up three other passes for five passes defended.

MOFFETT SHOW: Elijah Moffett has been quick to the ball carriers this season. He is second on the team with 35 tackles, including a team-leading six tackles for loss.

History with North Alabama
UNA leads the series 1-0 with a 2011 win, 23-17, in Arlington.

Scouting the Lions

UNA is 2-4 overall and 0-2 in the UAC with a 52-31 loss at Tarleton State and a 32-22 home loss to Eastern Kentucky.
The Lions totaled 560 yards of offense last time out against EKU, including 425 yards of passing. This is the highest single-game passing total since 2019 when UNA set its FCS-era record against Gardner-Webb with 446 passing yards.
UNA has forced 14 turnovers in the first six weeks of the season, marking the best six-game start since 2017 with 17. They have eight interceptions, which ranks sixth in FCS, and six fumble recoveries, which is fifth.