Lessons Learned: ACU vs. Tarleton

• Two big plays won this ball game, which was dominated by ACU's defense: a 57-yard punt return for a TD by Devin Guinn, who otherwise had problems all night hanging onto kicks, and a 75-yard TD pass from Scott Grantham to Jahmeel Hobson with 04:32 left in the game. The TD play nearly doubled the Texans' passing yardage for the entire night.
  
• Two of the top defenses in the nation made life miserable for both teams. ACU moved the ball reasonably well (especially in the first half), but could only generate two field goals on the night, both 20-yarders, the first time since 2001 the Wildcats did not score a TD in a game. Tarleton sacked ACU QB Mitchell Gale 7 times. ACU limited the Texans (the LSC's No. 2-ranked rushing offense) to -11 net yards rushing and success on only 1 of its 12 third-down conversions. 
• After finding itself the No. 1-ranked team in the nation two weeks ago, ACU's road to the national playoffs now looks to be considerably uphill, needing to beat two nationally ranked teams the next two weeks: Texas A&M-Kingsville in Abilene and Midwestern State in Wichita Falls.