Saturday, August 30
Tulsa, Okla.
7 p.m. (CT)
Abilene Christian
0-1 , 0-0
7
at
35
Tulsa
1-0 , 0-0
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Abilene Christian
0
0
0
7
7
Tulsa
7
3
11
14
35
Photo by: Kaylee Kahn
ACU Drops Season Opener to Tulsa
8/30/2025 10:20:00 PM | Football
TULSA - The No. 16 ACU football team was unsuccessful in a pair of early fourth-and-goal situations, and Tulsa pulled away in the second half as the Golden Hurricane defeated the Wildcats, 35-7, in both teams' season opener on Saturday night.
ACU had a chance to open the scoring midway through the first quarter with a fourth-and-goal at the one yardline. A quarterback keeper Stone Earle was stuffed for a two-yard loss and a turnover on downs.
Tulsa responded with a 14-play, 97-yard drive that included a fourth down conversion, and ended with a 12-yard touchdown pass on third down and 10.
The Wildcats' next drive also came down to fourth-and-goal. From two yards out, ACU decided to go for it again but Earle was stopped just outside the goalline.
Tulsa led 14-0 at halftime marking the first time in Keith Patterson's 37-game era that ACU was shutout in a first half.
The Golden Hurricane held the Wildcats to three consecutive three-and-outs in the second half, and another drive ended with an interception.
ACU got on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter when Earle found paydirt from 11 yards out on a fourth-and-two with 6:42 remaining. The drive was highlighted by a 21-yard rush by Earle, and a 25-yard throw to Javon Gipson to move the chains.
Earle, who started his collegiate career at ACU from 2020-21 and then played three seasons at the FBS level, finished 13-of-19 passing for 140 yards, and also added 17 carries for 47 yards. J.J. Henry led Wildcat receivers with 7 catches for 54 yards and Gipson hauled in three passes for 73 yards. Jordan Vaughn added 50 yards on 15 rushes.
ACU plays its home opener on Saturday, Sept. 6 against longtime rival Stephen F. Austin. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Click here to claim your spot at Anthony Field at Wildcat Stadium.
ACU had a chance to open the scoring midway through the first quarter with a fourth-and-goal at the one yardline. A quarterback keeper Stone Earle was stuffed for a two-yard loss and a turnover on downs.
Tulsa responded with a 14-play, 97-yard drive that included a fourth down conversion, and ended with a 12-yard touchdown pass on third down and 10.
The Wildcats' next drive also came down to fourth-and-goal. From two yards out, ACU decided to go for it again but Earle was stopped just outside the goalline.
Tulsa led 14-0 at halftime marking the first time in Keith Patterson's 37-game era that ACU was shutout in a first half.
The Golden Hurricane held the Wildcats to three consecutive three-and-outs in the second half, and another drive ended with an interception.
ACU got on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter when Earle found paydirt from 11 yards out on a fourth-and-two with 6:42 remaining. The drive was highlighted by a 21-yard rush by Earle, and a 25-yard throw to Javon Gipson to move the chains.
Earle, who started his collegiate career at ACU from 2020-21 and then played three seasons at the FBS level, finished 13-of-19 passing for 140 yards, and also added 17 carries for 47 yards. J.J. Henry led Wildcat receivers with 7 catches for 54 yards and Gipson hauled in three passes for 73 yards. Jordan Vaughn added 50 yards on 15 rushes.
ACU plays its home opener on Saturday, Sept. 6 against longtime rival Stephen F. Austin. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Click here to claim your spot at Anthony Field at Wildcat Stadium.
Team Stats
ACU
TUL
Total Yards
260
499
Pass Yards
140
236
Rushing Yards
120
263
Penalty Yards
25
53
1st Downs
13
25
3rd Downs
5
8
4th Downs
1
4
TOP
26:55
33:05
1st Quarter
ACU 0, TUL 7
TUL - Booker,Zion 12 yd pass from Francis,Kirk (Morgan,Seth kick) 14 plays, 97 yards, TOP 04:43
2nd Quarter
ACU 0, TUL 10
TUL - Morgan,Seth 28 yd field goal 7 plays, 41 yards, TOP 01:26
3rd Quarter
ACU 0, TUL 13
TUL - Morgan,Seth 40 yd field goal 11 plays, 53 yards, TOP 03:02
ACU 0, TUL 21
TUL - Richardson,Dominic 57 yd run (Presley,Braylin pass), 8 plays, 92 yards, TOP 02:28
4th Quarter
ACU 0, TUL 28
TUL - Francis,Kirk 22 yd pass from Francis,Kirk (Morgan,Seth kick) 8 plays, 71 yards, TOP 03:18
ACU 0, TUL 35
TUL - Allen,Ajay 40 yd run (Morgan,Seth kick), 3 plays, 45 yards, TOP 00:47
ACU 7, TUL 35
ACU - Earle,Stone 11 yd run (Meschi,Kyler kick), 10 plays, 75 yards, TOP 05:04
Game Leaders
CMP
13
TD
0
YDS
140
INT
1
Players Mentioned
ACU Baseball: Rick McCarty Press Conference | Feb. 23, 2026
Tuesday, February 24
ACU Men's Basketball: Brette Tanner Press Conference | Feb. 23, 2026
Monday, February 23
ACU Softball: Jo Koons Press Conference | Feb. 23, 2026
Monday, February 23
ACU Men's Basketball: vs. Southern Utah postgame | Feb. 21, 2026
Sunday, February 22
