
Two Wildcats Earn UAC Player of the Week Awards
9/16/2024 2:05:00 PM | Football
Defensive lineman Kaghen Roach and kicker Ritse Vaes both played integral parts in ACU's 24-22 comeback victory at Northern Colorado, and both were rewarded with their respective United Athletic Conference Player of the Week honors on Monday.
Roach, the UAC Defensive Player of the Week, tallied 13 tackles, including three for losses, and one sack. Northern Colorado ran the ball 65 times on Saturday and was held to 3.4 yards per play.
Vaes was named the UAC Specialist of the Week for his booming, 54-yard game-winning field goal on the final play. The kick was ACU's first game-winning field goal since Blair Zepeda nailed a 38-yarder to push the Wildcats past Mercer on Oct. 31, 2020.
Roach and Vaes join quarterback Maverick McIvor as ACU's conference weekly winners this season. McIvor was the UAC Offensive Player of the Week for his 506-yard passing performance in week one at Texas Tech.
The #23 Wildcats are now 2-1 this season, and will host the #4 Idaho Vandals on Saturday evening at 7 p.m. It is the first match-up of top 25 teams in ACU's Division I era. The last top 25 game was on Sept. 8, 2012, when #24 Texas A&M-Kingsville defeated #9 ACU, 16-13 at Shotwell Stadium.
Tickets are still available to Saturday's game. Click here to reserve your spot at Wildcat Stadium!
Roach, the UAC Defensive Player of the Week, tallied 13 tackles, including three for losses, and one sack. Northern Colorado ran the ball 65 times on Saturday and was held to 3.4 yards per play.
Vaes was named the UAC Specialist of the Week for his booming, 54-yard game-winning field goal on the final play. The kick was ACU's first game-winning field goal since Blair Zepeda nailed a 38-yarder to push the Wildcats past Mercer on Oct. 31, 2020.
Roach and Vaes join quarterback Maverick McIvor as ACU's conference weekly winners this season. McIvor was the UAC Offensive Player of the Week for his 506-yard passing performance in week one at Texas Tech.
The #23 Wildcats are now 2-1 this season, and will host the #4 Idaho Vandals on Saturday evening at 7 p.m. It is the first match-up of top 25 teams in ACU's Division I era. The last top 25 game was on Sept. 8, 2012, when #24 Texas A&M-Kingsville defeated #9 ACU, 16-13 at Shotwell Stadium.
Tickets are still available to Saturday's game. Click here to reserve your spot at Wildcat Stadium!
Players Mentioned
ACU Football: Sam Hicks Prepares for Canadian Football League Debut
Tuesday, June 09
ACU Baseball: Rick McCarty Press Conference | May 11, 2026
Tuesday, May 12
ACU Baseball: Senior Day Ceremony | May 9, 2026
Saturday, May 09
ACU Softball: Jo Koons Press Conference | May 4, 2026
Monday, May 04














