As a matter of fact the five best in ACU history and a record for a 5 year playoff run in the LSC!! Proud of what has been done by our coaches, players, and administrators at Abilene Christian University!! :) Blessed to be a part of this GREAT university!!
Article from www.acusports.com
ACU's title is second in last three years; Wildcats earn first-round bye in playoff
No. 2-ranked Abilene Christian University scored touchdowns on its first five drives of the game and rolled to a 47-17 win over Southwestern Oklahoma State that gave ACU its second outright Lone Star Conference South Division championship in three years, and its first-ever 11-0 regular season.“This is the culmination of a lot of hard work,” said ACU head coach Chris Thomsen. “I'm proud of our team and our coaches. It's great to see the hard work pay off in a special way. This team has kept its focus all year, and the senior leadership has been outstanding.”
The win sealed a bye for ACU in the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs, and earned the Wildcats the right to host home games at Shotwell Stadium through the national quarterfinals, beginning Nov. 27. The Wildcats will get a welcomed rest next week as they prepare the meet the winner of the first round match between West Texas A&M versus Central Missouri.
ACU's balanced offensive attack rolled up 492 yards (245 passing and 247 rushing) against the Bulldogs, powered by two TDs on the ground each from freshman Charcandrick West and junior Daryl Richardson.
Sophomore ACU quarterback Mitchell Gale – a regional finalist for the Harlon Hill Award as the nation's top player – directed ACU's offense to 301 yards and five touchdowns in the first half, completing 9 of 15 passes for 128 yards and one TD. Senior Clark Harrell took over for Gale in the second half.
ACU's defense held the Bulldogs to 108 yards rushing and 284 yards overall, led by linebacker Fred Thompson's three sacks and 12 tackles from junior defensive back Nate Bailey. Linebackers Eric Edwards and L.B. Suggs added seven tackles each. Wildcat defenders tackled SWOSU ballcarriers for losses 14 times.
"To be able to finish 11-0 is very important,” said Thomsen. “We've had a lot of hard-fought games this year, and to come in here and finish it against an unranked team, you want to finish it the right way. I think our guys have earned the right to call themselves the best in the toughest conference in the country.”
Where Champions Are Made
Football is not the only place where the Wildcats are exceptional this fall. This week, ACU is nationally ranked in women’s tennis (No. 7), men’s golf (No. 10), women’s volleyball (No. 20) and men’s tennis (No. 22). And the women’s soccer team, 11-2 overall and 7-1 in the LSC while competing in only its fourth season, is ranked No. 3 in its region. Also, the Wildcat men's cross country team is ranked No. 4 regionally.For the full scoop on ACU athletics, see acusports.com
3 comments:
So cool! I love it! Even though it's been almost 10 years now since I graduated, I still LOVE that they are doing so well, and I feel the Purple and White pride coming out in me again! :) Ha!
Without a doubt you are blest to be a part of such a great institution and I am very proud of what the coaching staff has done for the football program these past 5 seasons....but I also have to say on a smaller but very sincere note...ACU is awfully lucky to have you and Jason as part of their coaching family. When we give God a chance He will lead us and this opportunity to be at ACU has very much been a calling.
Wow! It's been 5 years already? Good Luck in the playoffs!
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