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.
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