ABILENE - After hoisting the United Athletic Conference championship trophy on Saturday night, the ACU football team has been honored with another award.
The Wildcats have been named the Stats Perform FCS National Team of the Week.
ACU defeated Tarleton State, 35-31, to earn the program's first conference title since moving to the Division I level in 2013. The win also means the Wildcats will play in the FCS Playoffs for the first time in school history.
College Football Hall of Famer Gary Reasons with Stats Perform will present the national award to the team before practice on Tuesday afternoon. The FCS National Awards are presented by FedEx.
Tied 28-all with Tarleton State with 2:38 remaining, the ACU defense forced back-to-back negative rushes with
Jerry Lawson and
Kaghen Roach both tackling Texans' running back Braelon Bridges in the back field. Those plays and the subsequent third-and-goal stop forced Tarleton State to settle for a field goal and a 31-28 lead.
Quarterback
Maverick McIvor calmly led ACU on a drive in the final two minutes with no timeouts. The San Angelo native completed all nine of his passes downfield culminating with a 1-yard throw to
Sam Hicks who fell across the goalline for the winning score with just 19 seconds on the clock.
ACU plays at Stephen F. Austin in the regular season finale on Saturday at 2 p.m.
The Wildcats will find out where they land in the FCS playoff bracket during the FCS Selection Show on Sunday, Nov. 24 at 11:30 a.m.
It is possible ACU will play a home playoff game. Ticketing and game information will be announced as soon as the bracket is released.
United Athletic Conference Championship shirts and hats are available now for purchase. Show off your support and pride for the Wildcats' first conference title in 14 years!
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