Saturday, August 30
Tulsa, Okla.
7 p.m. (CT)
Abilene Christian
0-1 , 0-0
7
at
35
Tulsa
1-0 , 0-0
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final 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.
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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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Players Mentioned
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
Monday, September 28
Sunday, September 27
Sunday, September 27
Monday, September 21
