End of Q1: ACU 24, Incarnate Word 0

ACU started the scoring on its second possession of the game when RB Daryl Richardson ran in from a yard out for a TD, and PK Morgan Lineberry's PAT made the score 7-0 with 10:42 left in the first quarter. The three-play drive was made possible, in part, by a 46-yard pass play from QB Mitchell Gale to WR Edmund Gates that fell one yard short of the end zone.

Gates put ACU on the scoreboard again at 8:27 with a slashing run through the Incarnate Word secondary after catching a pass from Gale. The 33-yard TD pass and Lineberry PAT made the score 14-0. 

Morgan Lineberry kicked a 27-yard field goal with 2:45 left in the quarter when ACU's third drive stalled, building the Wildcat lead to 21-0.

L.B. Suggs de-cleated and de-helmeted a Cardinal player nearly two minutes later. The helmet traveled farther than the ball, but alert ACU LB Eric Edwards sorted out the two quickly, and returned the fumble 25 yards for another Wildcat TD. Lineberry's third PAT of the quarter made the score 24-0 with 00:48 left.  

ACU dominated the stat sheet in the first quarter, limiting UIW to 2 first downs and 9 yards of offense (-3 passing and 12 rushing). The Wildcats, meanwhile, picked up 5 first downs and 144 yards of offense in support of its three TDs and a field goal.