Wildcats Play Home Finale on Saturday

Saturday, November 11

Abilene

2 p.m.

Abilene Christian

Tarleton

Photo by: Natalie Wright

11/7/2023 4:02:00 PM | Football

By: Ray Fink

ABILENE – Abilene Christian plays its final home football game of the season on Saturday, hosting Tarleton State at 2 p.m.

ACU will recognize seniors Trey Adams, Sema'j Davis, Anthony Egbo Jr., Rafiti Ghrimai, Denver Holman, Dustin Inness, Patrick Jolly, Waydale Jones, Reese Moore, Dax Neece, Kayode Oladele, Aaron Reynolds, Rece Stafford, Taelyn Williams and Kenton Wilhoit.

The game also is ACU's Salute to Service game, honoring military and first responders.

With two conference losses, ACU has a chance to gain a share of the regular season United Athletic Conference title, but not the playoff spot.

ACU Storylines

ALONE AT THE TOP: ACU kicker Kyle Ramsey is the lone FCS kicker who hasn't missed a field goal. Massey is first in field goal accuracy at 100 percent, hitting 12 of 12 this season. Among those are four 50-plus field goals and six others between 40-49 yards. Only two of his field goals have been inside 40 yards. He is the first ACU kicker to have four kicks of 50+ yards in a season.

GOOD HANDS: ACU ranks third in the FCS and leads the United Athletic Conference with only two fumbles lost this season. Both of those happened at Central Arkansas and only one came from the offense. No ACU running backs have lost a fumble this season.

NO FLY ZONE: Patrick Jolly is tied for the FCS lead with four interceptions this season. He also leads the UAC with 1.1 passes defended per game. In addition to his four picks, Jolly has six pass breakups.

WIN STATS: In their five wins this season, ACU only has five more yards total offense than their opponents and trails in time of possession. The Cats in those five wins have a 30-3 lead in points off of turnovers. The only turnovers in those five wins were two interceptions by passers other than Maverick McIvor. Winning Wildcats this season are 14-16 in the red zone with 10 touchdowns.

COVERUP: ACU this season ranks fifth among FCS schools and leads the conference in net punting, averaging 41.93 yards. Punter Grant Nickel averages 43.5 yards per punt, which is 10th in the FCS and second in the UAC. The coverage team allows 2.22 yards per return, which is fifth in the FCS and second in the league.

RECOVERY: ACU safety Elijah Moffett's two fumble recoveries this season have him tied for the lead in the United Athletic Conference and ninth in the FCS. Moffett also is second on the team with 63 tackles this season, including a team-leading 45 solos. He also leads ACU with seven tackles for loss this season.

MOORE TIME: Linebacker Darius Moore has established himself as ACU's leading tackler with 71 this season. He has 31 tackles and a team-high 40 assists.

History with Tarleton State
ACU leads 21-12-4

Date    Site     Score
Oct. 25, 1920            Abilene          T 0-0
Nov. 18, 1920           Stephenville W 13-0
Nov. 29, 1923           Stephenville L 7-3
Sept. 24, 1927          Stephenville T 6-6
Sept. 29, 1928          Stephenville L 12-6
Oct. 5, 1929 Abilene          W 19-0
Oct. 3, 1930 Stephenville W 18-0
Oct. 2, 1931 Stephenville W 13-0
Sept. 23, 1932          Stephenville T 6-6
Oct. 20, 1933            Stephenville W 19-0
Sept. 21, 1934          Stephenville T 6-6
1937 Stephenville L 7-6
Sept. 23, 1938          Stephenville W 21-6
Nov. 3, 1973 Stephenville W 49-7
Nov. 9, 1974 Abilene          W 56-14
Nov. 8, 1975 Stephenville W 35-21
Oct. 23, 1993            Abilene          W 57-15
Oct. 21, 1995            Abilene          W 38-18
Oct. 26, 1996            Stephenville W 20-10
Oct. 25, 1997            Abilene          W 23-17
Oct. 24, 1998            Stephenville L 33-31
Oct. 23, 1999            Abilene          L 14-9
Oct. 21, 2000            Stephenville L 15-13
Oct. 20, 2001            Abilene          L 52-7
Sept. 21, 2002          Stephenville L 12-9
Sept. 20, 2003          Abilene          L 41-7
Sept. 18, 2004          Stephenville W 31-14
Oct. 22, 2005            Stephenville W 18-7
Oct. 28, 2006            Abilene          L 37-36
Oct. 27, 2007            Stephenville W 70-63
Oct. 25, 2008            Abilene          W 37-17
Oct. 24, 2009            Stephenville L 13-6
Sept. 25, 2010          Abilene          W 65-3
Sept. 1, 2011            Stephenville W 27-24
Sept. 15, 2012          Arlington        W 34-31
Sept. 28, 2013          Frisco L 41-34 (2 OT)
Nov. 13, 2021           Abilene          W 29-3
Nov. 5, 2023 Abilene          W 28-23

Scouting Tarleton State

Tarleton State enters the game at 7-3 overall and 3-2 in the United Athletic Conference. This is the final game of the season for the Texans.
The Texans are coming off a blowout win over Stephen F. Austin and also toppled No. 18 Central Arkansas 25-23. A one-point loss to Southern Utah and a double-overtime loss at Eastern Kentucky have been their only losses.
TSU has the reigning UAC Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week in quarterback Victor Gabalis and linebacker Qua'Shawn Washington, an Abilene High graduate.
Gabalis is 149-275 passing this season with 11 interceptions, 18 touchdowns and 2234 yards passing.
Kayvon Britten leads the Texans with 974 rushing yards on 161 totes for a 6.0 rushing average.
Benjamin Omayebu has 54 receptions and 508 receiving yards and his teammate, Darius Cooper, has 578 yards on 26 catches for a 22.23 average.
Patrick Jones leads TSU with 67 tackles, including 46 solo efforts.