ABILENE - The Abilene Christian football team is earning national recognition, receiving 74 votes in the latest Stats Perform FCS Top 25 poll, signaling a strong start to their season. The Wildcats' performance against Texas Tech on Saturday has caught the attention of pollsters, placing them just outside the official top 25 rankings.
ACU held strong with Tech throughout the night even though the Wildcats lost in overtime 52-51, their performance against a Big 12 opponent has created national conversations about what ACU is capable of.
The Wildcats just missed ranking with 74 votes in the poll. South Dakota State took #1 with North Dakota State trailing right behind at #2.
ACU's schedule this season features a diverse set of opponents, including several teams that have either been ranked in the top 25 or received votes for inclusion. The Wildcats will face #7 Idaho at home on Sept. 21, followed by a matchup with #9 Central Arkansas on Oct. 5. Although Austin Peay did not make the top 25, it garnered 19 votes and will compete against ACU on Nov. 9. The final ranked opponent on the schedule is #20 Tarleton State, which the Wildcats will encounter in Stephenville on Nov. 16.
This week's opponent, West Georgia was able to make the list with two votes. The Wolves earned its first win as an FCS program with a week 1 victory over Samford, 38-29.
ACU is gearing up for a critical matchup against West Georgia. This game, set for Saturday, September 7, at Wildcat Stadium, provides both teams an important opportunity to make a strong statement. With ACU and West Georgia being recognized at the national level, this could be a stepping stone for head coach Keith Patterson's football program.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Make sure to buy tickets now at tickets.acusports.com.
If you are unable to attend, the game can be found on ESPN+ or live on the radio at 106.3 FM The Raider.
