#17 ACU takes on Eastern Kentucky for Homecoming

#21/17 ACU (4-3, 3-1) vs. Eastern Kentucky (3-3, 1-1)
Abilene, TX | Anthony Field at Wildcat Stadium
Saturday, Oct. 19 at 3:00 p.m.

GAME LINKS

• Watch on ESPN+ | Listen on 106.3 The Raider | Live Stats | Keith Patterson Press Conference | ACU Game Notes (PDF)

ABILENE - The no. 17 ACU Wildcats try to bounce back from a disappointing loss, and also extend a Homecoming winning streak when they host Eastern Kentucky on Saturday afternoon at Wildcat Stadium.

ACU dropped a 47-34 decision against North Alabama last week, sending the Wildcats to 4-3 overall and 3-1 in the United Athletic Conference. The Cats erased a 13-0 early deficit and led 27-20 at halftime, but could not slow down the Lions' talented quarterback T.J. Smith in the fourth quarter.

After the game Maverick McIvor jumped up to become the FCS leader in passing yards for the season with 2,231, which is 45 yards ahead of second place. Over the past few weeks McIvor has steadily climbed the ACU career leaderboard and is now in 7th place in passing yards, 5th place in passing TD, and 7th in completions.

Nehemiah Martinez I continued to showcase his talents by snagged 13 passes - which is the 3rd  highest single-game reception mark in ACU history.

Martinez enters this Saturday's match-up 2nd in the FCS in receiving yards for the season at 704, and is tied for 3rd with eight receiving touchdowns.

Eastern Kentucky is a team that will likely not beat itself. The Colonels enter Saturday's game as the 2nd best rushing defense in the UAC, and they have also only thrown two interceptions this season. Their offense has only been keeping drives going. They comfort 44% of their 3rd down chances this season.

ACU and EKU have played once before -- a 30-15 Colonels victory in Richmond, Ky. in 2021.

The Wildcats have won five straight Homecoming games dating back to the 2018 season (there was no Homecoming during the 2020 season). Winning on Saturday would extend that run to six in-a-row and make it the second longest Homecoming win streak in program history.

Fans can watch the game on the ESPN+ streaming platform (requires paid subscription), and listen to the radio call on 106.3 The Raider.






GIVE ME FIVE!

• ACU appeared in both the FCS Coaches Poll  (#21) and the Stats Perform Top 25 (#17) for the fifth straight week.
• Earlier this season the Wildcats cracked the FCS rankings for the first time since the transition to Division I in 2013.
• Before this season, ACU had not been nationally ranked since the 2012 season -- which was the Wildcats' last in Division II.

LAST TIME OUT

• Sam Hicks (99 yards) and Isaiah Johnson (91 yards) barely missed hitting the 100-yd rushing mark. ACU last had two players run for 100 yards in the same game since 2022 vs. Western New Mexico.
• It was ACU's first loss when forcing a turnover in 2024. Before the UNA game, ACU was 4-0 when getting at least one takeaway.

BLOCK PARTY

• ACU has blocked three total kicks this season, which is 4th most in the FCS.
• Kaghen Roach has recorded blocks in back-to-back games. He blocked a PAT at North Alabama, and a FG vs. Central Arkansas.
• Elijah Moffett blocked a FG vs. West Georgia in week 2.

NFL VETS JOIN ACU HALL OF FAME

• Two of the greatest players in ACU football history are part of ACU's 2024 Hall of Fame class which will be inducted on Friday night.
• WR Taylor Gabriel (2010-2013) and RB Daryl Richardson (2009-2011) were stars when the Wildcats had some of their most successful seasons in Division II.
• ACU made the NCAA playoffs in 2009, 2010 and 2011, and won the Lone Star Conference championship in 2010.
• Gabriel finished his ACU career 4th in catches, 2nd in receiving yards and tied for 2nd in receiving TD. He played 6 seasons in the NFL with the Falcons, Browns and Bears.
• Richardson is in the top 8 in ACU history in rushing yards, carries, rushing TD and career points. He was a 7th round draft pick by the Rams in 2012 and played 6 seasons with 7 different teams.

AN ACU WIN WOULD...

• Push ACU to a 4-1 conference record, which would break its tie for second place with North Alabama (3-1) and propel the Wildcats to second place by themselves. UNA and first-place Tarleton (3-0) are both on bye weeks.
• Improve ACU's home record to 3-1 this season, and 22-15 at Wildcat Stadium. Coach Keith Patterson's number one team goal is to go undefeated at home.
• Make Keith Patterson 10-4 at home vs. FCS teams, and 6-2 in home conference games, as ACU's head coach.