Photo by: Kevan Albright
Notes from Keith Patterson's Press Conference (Aug. 24)
8/24/2026 2:54:00 PM | Football
Abilene Christian head football coach Keith Patterson held his first weekly press conference of the 2026 season on Monday morning.
The Wildcats travel to Beaumont to play Lamar in the week's only top-20 FCS matchup on Saturday at 6 p.m. ACU is ranked No. 15 in the preseason Stats Perform Top 25 while Lamar is No. 20.
Below are some notes from the media availability.
Patterson on the anticipation of the season opener...
I really like where we are even compared to a year ago. There are things we're doing better than where we were at this time a year ago. Week one is exciting because you get to see where you are. It is a true indicator. You think you may know, but you really don't until you play an opponent. We're probably farther along execution-wise from an offensive standpoint just because of the number of returners.
On the running back position which returns Rovaughn Banks Jr. -- last season's leading rusher -- and two FBS transfers...
It's the deepest running back in my time here. We have six running backs we can put in and the drop-off would be minimal. It is crazy competitive in that room. What's crazy is: six running backs and six different running styles. I'm really excited to see that. You couple that with an experienced offensive line with good size – those guys with that offensive line have been really impressive throughout fall camp.
On using multiple quarterbacks at Lamar...
You're going to see more than one Saturday. Our plan right now is to play two quarterbacks. Show up, watch the game and you'll see who they are. We are competing still at that position. Those guys have made each other better. Before the season's over any one of those four could be on the field. I'm not just blowing smoke. They all have unique characteristics to themselves. After last Saturday's scrimmage there is a razor-thin margin between a couple of them and the other two. We're just going with our gut feeling.
I didn't see anyone separate themselves. I don't see that as a bad thing. Every year is a little bit different. You could put any of them out there, it wouldn't worry me. I wouldn't stress a lick. There's a lot of people that can't get past their first quarterback. I promise you I'm confident in all of them. I've watched them since the day they've gotten here. I've watched them learning the system and the amount of time they've spent getting prepared. You don't have to be a superstar. Get the ball to the people we're trying to get the ball to. We have weapons on offense, and you don't have to try to do everything.
On the offensive line which returns four starters...
This is the best offensive line since I've been here when you go from Kaden Carr to Colter Lynch to the Roaten twins. Cameron Vann is probably the strongest offensive lineman in the weight room we've ever had. And we have quality depth behind those guys who have made them better. I don't mind challenging them and putting pressure on that group because they have experience and talent to handle it.
The Wildcats travel to Beaumont to play Lamar in the week's only top-20 FCS matchup on Saturday at 6 p.m. ACU is ranked No. 15 in the preseason Stats Perform Top 25 while Lamar is No. 20.
Below are some notes from the media availability.
Patterson on the anticipation of the season opener...
I really like where we are even compared to a year ago. There are things we're doing better than where we were at this time a year ago. Week one is exciting because you get to see where you are. It is a true indicator. You think you may know, but you really don't until you play an opponent. We're probably farther along execution-wise from an offensive standpoint just because of the number of returners.
On the running back position which returns Rovaughn Banks Jr. -- last season's leading rusher -- and two FBS transfers...
It's the deepest running back in my time here. We have six running backs we can put in and the drop-off would be minimal. It is crazy competitive in that room. What's crazy is: six running backs and six different running styles. I'm really excited to see that. You couple that with an experienced offensive line with good size – those guys with that offensive line have been really impressive throughout fall camp.
On using multiple quarterbacks at Lamar...
You're going to see more than one Saturday. Our plan right now is to play two quarterbacks. Show up, watch the game and you'll see who they are. We are competing still at that position. Those guys have made each other better. Before the season's over any one of those four could be on the field. I'm not just blowing smoke. They all have unique characteristics to themselves. After last Saturday's scrimmage there is a razor-thin margin between a couple of them and the other two. We're just going with our gut feeling.
I didn't see anyone separate themselves. I don't see that as a bad thing. Every year is a little bit different. You could put any of them out there, it wouldn't worry me. I wouldn't stress a lick. There's a lot of people that can't get past their first quarterback. I promise you I'm confident in all of them. I've watched them since the day they've gotten here. I've watched them learning the system and the amount of time they've spent getting prepared. You don't have to be a superstar. Get the ball to the people we're trying to get the ball to. We have weapons on offense, and you don't have to try to do everything.
On the offensive line which returns four starters...
This is the best offensive line since I've been here when you go from Kaden Carr to Colter Lynch to the Roaten twins. Cameron Vann is probably the strongest offensive lineman in the weight room we've ever had. And we have quality depth behind those guys who have made them better. I don't mind challenging them and putting pressure on that group because they have experience and talent to handle it.
Players Mentioned
RB
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OL
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