ACU at Central Arkansas: Match-Up Keys

ABILENE – When Abilene Christian plays its first United Athletic Conference road game on Saturday at Central Arkansas in Conway, it will be facing a strong running game.
 
ShunDerrick Powell leads the FCS with 11.39 yards per carry and is third nationally with 376 yards rushing in three games. He had 218 yards on 18 carries at North Dakota last week and rushed three times for 87 yards against Texas College. The 5-9, 180-pound junior is a huge part of the Bears' scoring offense, which leads the UAC with 38 points per game. He is a preseason All-American.
 
ACU's defense has allowed big rushing plays in every game this season (at least one run of 20 yards or more in each game) but has otherwise been stingy. The defense allows 4.5 yards per carry and apart from the three most explosive rushes from each game, that average shrinks to 3.8 yards per rush. The key on defense this week for the Wildcats is to clamp down on big rushing plays. Opponents are averaging more than six tackles for loss against the UCA offensive line.
 
Offensively, the Wildcats need to finish drives. Central Arkansas has allowed opponent points in every trip to the red zone this season and opponents convert third downs at a 39.5 percent rate. The Wildcats need to maintain their season-long ball security numbers (no fumbles, two interceptions in three games). The Cats will face a test with preseason All-America defensive linemen David Walker and Logan Jessup. Safety TaMaurion Wilson is a preseason All-America selection as well.
 
If it comes down to special teams, ACU has been great on punts, punt coverage, field goals and kickoffs. The key may come down to ACU's ability to get to punts. The Wildcats have blocked one punt and deflected another in three games this season and Central Arkansas has had two kicks blocked this year.