... one of the greatest football seasons in ACU history, that is. As great as it was, I don't think you can call it the greatest season in ACU history because it didn't end with a national championship like the 1973 and 1977 seasons did.
What I think you can say is that the 2008 version of the Wildcats was probably the best team that ACU has ever fielded. That's not meant as a slight to the 1950, 1962, late 1960s, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1983, 1986, 2006 or 2007 teams, but it's rather a nod at how much the game has changed over the years.
No ACU team has ever fielded the array of talent, speed and athleticism as the 2008 Wildcats. This team posted plenty of highlights to fill our collective memory banks for years to come. Here are a few that spring to mind:
* Rallying from a 21-7 first-quarter deficit in the season-opener to deliver a 44-27 win over Northwest Missouri State that announced to the rest of the D2 football world tha the Wildcats were ready for prime time.
* A thorough domination and destruction of LSC North Division pre-season favorite Texas A&M-Commerce in the home opener. What was supposed to be an early showdown between two of the league's top quarterbacks (ACU's Billy Malone and Commerce's Terry Mayo) instead became a game that proved the Lions weren't anywhere near ready to compete with the Wildcats.
* Mike Kern's 99-yard interception return for a touchdown against Southeastern Oklahoma State.
* The flies and the stench in Portales, N.M., where ACU whipped Eastern New Mexico, 56-11.
* Oct. 18 in Canyon. Jared Brock and his "late hit." ACU jumps to a 31-7 halftime lead. Billy and Johnny Knox play pitch-and-catch in the first half against the Buffs' secondary. The Bernard Scott Show in the second half. 409 all-purpose yards on the night for Bernard in the game that stamped him as the man to beat in the Harlon Hill Award race.
* Zach Stewart stepping in for Malone when he went down with a hairline fracture in his right thum. The redshirt freshman from Abilene directed the Wildcats to a pair of wins over Tarleton State and Texas A&M-Kingsville. Against the Texans he let Bernard, the offensive line and the defense do the heavy lifting, but against the Javelinas he threw for 350 yards and three touchdowns in the win.
* The ACU defense holding Midwestern State to just 11 total yards and no points in the second half of the Wildcats' 47-17 win in the regular-season finale, a win that clinched the program's first outright LSC championship since 1973.
* 93 points. Do I have to say anything else?
* The way the Wildcats fought through their most inconsistent game of the year in the season-ending loss to Northwest Missouri State to make it a game late in the fourth quarter.
* The consistent brilliance of Bernard Scott, Billy Malone, Johnny Knox and the offensive line.
* The emergence of a new breed of playmakers on the defensive side of the ball in Aston Whiteside, Fred Thompson, Bryson Lewis, Tony Harp, Nick Jones and Craig Harris.
* The steady leadership of great seniors in Malone, Scott, Knox, Sam Collins, Joseph Thompson, Mike Kern, Matt Adams, Chris Morris, Jonathan Ferguson, Kendrick Holloway, Chancy Campbell, Eliot Allen, Chenry Lewis and Nick Fellows.
* The calming influence and overall program leadership of head coach Chris Thomsen and his staff. If you haven't had a chance to listen to Chris talk about what he wants to do with the ACU football program and where he wants to take it, I would suggest you carve a few minutes out of your schedule and ask him about it. He's passionate about ACU and what ACU football could one day become, and that passion and drive pulses through everything the players in that program do every day.
Finally, what a great thrill it's been to be able to watch virtually every snap Billy Malone has taken over the last four years, as well as almost every carry by Bernard Scott and catch by Johnny Knox. The Wildcats have enjoyed great trios in their long history, but never one as explosive or productive as this trio. Consider these mind-boggling numbers:
* Since the start of the 2007 season when the three began playing together, they have helped ACU score 1,225 offensive points and rack up 13,787 yards of total offense in the last 25 ACU games.
* Those three alone have combined to rack up 18,560 yards of offense and are responsible for a combined 193 touchdowns during their ACU careers.
Hope you enjoyed watching them, folks. Their like may never be seen again.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
Blame it on the holidays ...
Sorry for the tardiness ...
Anyway, here is the weekly interview with Chris Thomsen.
Check ACU's official Game Day Central Page for weekly football notes for ACU and Northwest Missouri State.
All fans can view a video broadcast of Saturday's game between Abilene Christian and Northwest Missouri State at Noon. The audio will be provided by ACU and brought to you by Grant Boone and Chuck Statler. Here is the link for the live broadcast.
Anyway, here is the weekly interview with Chris Thomsen.
Check ACU's official Game Day Central Page for weekly football notes for ACU and Northwest Missouri State.
All fans can view a video broadcast of Saturday's game between Abilene Christian and Northwest Missouri State at Noon. The audio will be provided by ACU and brought to you by Grant Boone and Chuck Statler. Here is the link for the live broadcast.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Updated NCAA Game Day Central Page
Fans check out the udpated Championship Central Web Site:
http://www.funditechnologies.com/~krobarts/ncaaplayoffs
This site features the upcoming game between No. 2 Abilene Christian and No. 3 Northwest Missouri State in the NCAA DII Quarterfinals game at Shotwell Stadium Saturday (11.29.08) at noon.
Ticket information is also available on this site.
http://www.funditechnologies.com/~krobarts/ncaaplayoffs
This site features the upcoming game between No. 2 Abilene Christian and No. 3 Northwest Missouri State in the NCAA DII Quarterfinals game at Shotwell Stadium Saturday (11.29.08) at noon.
Ticket information is also available on this site.
93-68?????
Sitting here watching the replay of the Wildcats' 93-68 win ... wait a minute, did I just write 93-68 win when talking about a FOOTBALL game??
Never in my life have I seen anything like what I saw Saturday at Shotwell Stadium. The ACU offense was not nearly unstoppable ... it was totally unstoppable, at least by West Texas A&M. ACU scored touchdowns on 13 of 15 possessions, missed one field goal and punted once. And on the punt, WT fumbled, ACU recovered for another possession and scored four plays later.
It was an absolute demolition by the Wildcats, who put up 810 yards of offense on only 56 plays, averaging 14.5 yards per play. After the game ended after what seemed like a five-hour game, I spent almost 90 minutes looking up all of the records that were broken in this game. A list of those records can be found at the end of the game story on www.acusports.com.
Let me just make a few quick points before I go to bed:
1). Without offense to any other person in the long history of ACU football, Bernard Scott is the greatest player to ever wear the Purple and White. The man is a threat to score anytime he touches the ball from anywhere on the field. The fact that he has the best offensive line in Division II football blocking for him only enhances that threat.
2). After his performance Saturday, if Bernard doesn't win the Harlon Hill Award this year, they should stop handing the thing out. No one -- and I mean NO ONE -- in the country is on his level.
3). This just in: Billy Malone ain't half bad, either. All he does is direct an offense to 810 yards and 93 points in the second round of the playoffs. Can we please finally put to rest all this junk -- mostly from WT -- about Billy not being tough? Ridiculous that it was ever brought up in the first place.
4). Keith Null and Charly Martin are absolute beasts, and we're all glad they're done at WT. Null was on-target all day, and the guy in the middle of the bullseye was Martin, who had 14 catches for 323 yards and 5 touchdowns. Unbelieve, eye-popping numbers.
5). Had a couple of pretty funny email exchanges with some SIDs from around the country after the game was over, and I'll share one of them with you. About two hours after the game ended I sent out to each D-II SID an email detailing Bernard's accomplishments on the day and asking for them to consider him their No. 1 player in the vote for the Harlon Hill Trophy.
A couple of hours later, I received this email from Tim Nott, the Associate Athletic Director / Director of Media Relations at Grand Valley State University:
Lance,
The only way I was going to vote for Benard was if he ran for over 300 today. 292 won't cut it. How many pages was your front page of the stat book? We couldn't get our head coach in the post game press conference because he was to busy keeping track of your game. He walks in and announces to the media the score midway through the third quarter and said make the questions quick or I might miss four scores.
Tim
My reply was this:
Tim,
I told Bernard after the game that he probably cost himself the Harlon Hill by not getting 300 yards. He was pretty incredible. I looked up after he scored with about 1 minute left to make it 72-47 and said, "Bernard now trails West Texas A&M, 47-42."
Lance
If my email inbox is any indication, the Harlon Hill Trophy will be coming home with Bernard on Dec. 14.
6). Unfortunately for the Wildcats, their defense will probably be roasted by fans on the d2football.com message board for giving up 68 points and 721 yards of offense to the Buffs. I'm pretty sure that no one on the defensive side of the ball -- from coaches to players -- is happy with their performance, but here's the thing: a win is a win is a win ...
Also take into account that the defense was on the field for almost 100 plays against the second-best offense in Division II football, and those things can happen. This is a defense that had allowed just 16 points and 290 yards per game going into the WT game and ran into one of the best passing games in Division II football at the top of its game.
One thing you can bet is this: defensive coordinator Jason Johns and his team will push hard this week to make the improvements they need to make to try and contain what will be a very, very good Northwest Missouri State team this week.
7). Make sure you take a good look at what's coming into town next Saturday because it's the program that we all aspire to become. Northwest Missouri has made three straight national championship games, and the Bearcats didn't get there by not being very good on offense, spectacular defensively and solid in the kicking game. ACU will have to play its best game of the year -- again -- to beat the Bearcats.
8). Enjoy the holiday week and the time with your families. But then get to Shotwell on Saturday at noon and help the Wildcats get a win against the Bearcats. Bring your family and friends. Heck, even invite a few strangers.
After all, there's no telling what you're going to see on any given Saturday.
Never in my life have I seen anything like what I saw Saturday at Shotwell Stadium. The ACU offense was not nearly unstoppable ... it was totally unstoppable, at least by West Texas A&M. ACU scored touchdowns on 13 of 15 possessions, missed one field goal and punted once. And on the punt, WT fumbled, ACU recovered for another possession and scored four plays later.
It was an absolute demolition by the Wildcats, who put up 810 yards of offense on only 56 plays, averaging 14.5 yards per play. After the game ended after what seemed like a five-hour game, I spent almost 90 minutes looking up all of the records that were broken in this game. A list of those records can be found at the end of the game story on www.acusports.com.
Let me just make a few quick points before I go to bed:
1). Without offense to any other person in the long history of ACU football, Bernard Scott is the greatest player to ever wear the Purple and White. The man is a threat to score anytime he touches the ball from anywhere on the field. The fact that he has the best offensive line in Division II football blocking for him only enhances that threat.
2). After his performance Saturday, if Bernard doesn't win the Harlon Hill Award this year, they should stop handing the thing out. No one -- and I mean NO ONE -- in the country is on his level.
3). This just in: Billy Malone ain't half bad, either. All he does is direct an offense to 810 yards and 93 points in the second round of the playoffs. Can we please finally put to rest all this junk -- mostly from WT -- about Billy not being tough? Ridiculous that it was ever brought up in the first place.
4). Keith Null and Charly Martin are absolute beasts, and we're all glad they're done at WT. Null was on-target all day, and the guy in the middle of the bullseye was Martin, who had 14 catches for 323 yards and 5 touchdowns. Unbelieve, eye-popping numbers.
5). Had a couple of pretty funny email exchanges with some SIDs from around the country after the game was over, and I'll share one of them with you. About two hours after the game ended I sent out to each D-II SID an email detailing Bernard's accomplishments on the day and asking for them to consider him their No. 1 player in the vote for the Harlon Hill Trophy.
A couple of hours later, I received this email from Tim Nott, the Associate Athletic Director / Director of Media Relations at Grand Valley State University:
Lance,
The only way I was going to vote for Benard was if he ran for over 300 today. 292 won't cut it. How many pages was your front page of the stat book? We couldn't get our head coach in the post game press conference because he was to busy keeping track of your game. He walks in and announces to the media the score midway through the third quarter and said make the questions quick or I might miss four scores.
Tim
My reply was this:
Tim,
I told Bernard after the game that he probably cost himself the Harlon Hill by not getting 300 yards. He was pretty incredible. I looked up after he scored with about 1 minute left to make it 72-47 and said, "Bernard now trails West Texas A&M, 47-42."
Lance
If my email inbox is any indication, the Harlon Hill Trophy will be coming home with Bernard on Dec. 14.
6). Unfortunately for the Wildcats, their defense will probably be roasted by fans on the d2football.com message board for giving up 68 points and 721 yards of offense to the Buffs. I'm pretty sure that no one on the defensive side of the ball -- from coaches to players -- is happy with their performance, but here's the thing: a win is a win is a win ...
Also take into account that the defense was on the field for almost 100 plays against the second-best offense in Division II football, and those things can happen. This is a defense that had allowed just 16 points and 290 yards per game going into the WT game and ran into one of the best passing games in Division II football at the top of its game.
One thing you can bet is this: defensive coordinator Jason Johns and his team will push hard this week to make the improvements they need to make to try and contain what will be a very, very good Northwest Missouri State team this week.
7). Make sure you take a good look at what's coming into town next Saturday because it's the program that we all aspire to become. Northwest Missouri has made three straight national championship games, and the Bearcats didn't get there by not being very good on offense, spectacular defensively and solid in the kicking game. ACU will have to play its best game of the year -- again -- to beat the Bearcats.
8). Enjoy the holiday week and the time with your families. But then get to Shotwell on Saturday at noon and help the Wildcats get a win against the Bearcats. Bring your family and friends. Heck, even invite a few strangers.
After all, there's no telling what you're going to see on any given Saturday.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
No Live Blog today
We are spread a little thin today, so check live stats for updates. Link is below ...
Follow the Live Stats for updates
Also check on the ACU Insider for a free link to today's audio and video feed.
Follow the Live Stats for updates
Also check on the ACU Insider for a free link to today's audio and video feed.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Notes and Thomsen Interview
Be sure and get your game notes on ACU'S OFFICIAL NCAA PLAYOFFS WEB SITE.
Here is an interview with head coach Chris Thomsen on the upcoming game (12:14)
Notes from around the Wildcat Den
• JumpTV is having technical difficulties and you may have noticed that ACUSports.com has been down here and there. If difficulties continue, check the blog for your official releases and news
• ACU's men will look to defend their national title in the NCAA Division II cross country meet in Slippery Rock, Pa. Saturday. The men's team is ranked No. 2 in the nation behind Adams State. The women didn't qualify as a team but Winrose Karunde and Loice Cheboi will compete individually representing ACU. Click here for the weekly cross country notes.
• The men's basketball team got off to a 1-0 start with a 99-58 victory over Hillsdale Free Will Baptist. Dejan Sencanski highlighted the game with 21 points on 8 of 9 shooting, 3 of 4 from beyond the 3-point arc, and 2 of 2 from the free-throw line. He also had six boards and two steals, which garnered the senior forward with LSC Player of the Week Honors. The Wildcats play Dallas Baptist Thursday and Huston-Tillotson Saturday. Jason Copeland could get his 40th career victory Thursday or Saturday with a win over either DBU or HTU.
• The women's basketball team is 1-1 with a win over Southern Indiana last week and a loss to St. Edward's. Both games were played in Austin at St. Edward's Tip-Off Tournament. The Wildcats will get a chance at revenge against St. Edward's Saturday at Moody Coliseum at 6 p.m. Audrey Maxwell-Lively is averaging 15 points and nine rebounds through two games.
Here is an interview with head coach Chris Thomsen on the upcoming game (12:14)
Notes from around the Wildcat Den
• JumpTV is having technical difficulties and you may have noticed that ACUSports.com has been down here and there. If difficulties continue, check the blog for your official releases and news
• ACU's men will look to defend their national title in the NCAA Division II cross country meet in Slippery Rock, Pa. Saturday. The men's team is ranked No. 2 in the nation behind Adams State. The women didn't qualify as a team but Winrose Karunde and Loice Cheboi will compete individually representing ACU. Click here for the weekly cross country notes.
• The men's basketball team got off to a 1-0 start with a 99-58 victory over Hillsdale Free Will Baptist. Dejan Sencanski highlighted the game with 21 points on 8 of 9 shooting, 3 of 4 from beyond the 3-point arc, and 2 of 2 from the free-throw line. He also had six boards and two steals, which garnered the senior forward with LSC Player of the Week Honors. The Wildcats play Dallas Baptist Thursday and Huston-Tillotson Saturday. Jason Copeland could get his 40th career victory Thursday or Saturday with a win over either DBU or HTU.
• The women's basketball team is 1-1 with a win over Southern Indiana last week and a loss to St. Edward's. Both games were played in Austin at St. Edward's Tip-Off Tournament. The Wildcats will get a chance at revenge against St. Edward's Saturday at Moody Coliseum at 6 p.m. Audrey Maxwell-Lively is averaging 15 points and nine rebounds through two games.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Buy your ACU vs. WT NCAA Playoff Tickets Online
If you don't want to come by the ACU athletics office to buy your playoff tickets, you can stay within the comforts of your own home. Click here to go to the online ticketing site where you can print your tickets out online and order with a credit card.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Thanks for nothing, NCAA
The NCAA has decided for the fourth time in the last three years that the ACU Wildcats just aren't good enough for an invitation to their post-season party.
The volleyball team is the latest Wildcat athletic program to get left out when it comes time for NCAA post-season play, joining a 47-win baseball team in 2007, an 18-win women's basketball team last spring and last year's 20-win men's basketball team.
If you're a Wildcat fan, it's been an extremely frustrating run of bad luck for some teams who were more-than-deserving of NCAA post-season bids. The ACU volleyball team won 12 straight matches to reach the LSC Post-Season Tournament championshp match where they lost an epic five-set match against West Texas A&M.
But it wasn't enough to offset what was probably a better strength of schedule by Nebraska-Omaha, which took the final at-large bid.
What's worse is that an average Texas-Permian Basin team reached the tournament as the No. 8 seed after it earned the Heartland Conference's automatic bid with a win in the tournament championship. If Wildcat fans want something to be angry about, this is it: the eight teams in the Heartland Conference combined for a pathetic 101-146 record (.409 winning percentage), including a 23-63 record against teams from the LSC and Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA), the other two conferences in the South Central Region.
UTPB will draw the No. 1 seed in the tournament, Emporia State, in a first-round match later this week in Emporia, Kan. Call me stunned if the Lady Falcons are on the floor longer than 60 minutes.
Nice job, NCAA.
The volleyball team is the latest Wildcat athletic program to get left out when it comes time for NCAA post-season play, joining a 47-win baseball team in 2007, an 18-win women's basketball team last spring and last year's 20-win men's basketball team.
If you're a Wildcat fan, it's been an extremely frustrating run of bad luck for some teams who were more-than-deserving of NCAA post-season bids. The ACU volleyball team won 12 straight matches to reach the LSC Post-Season Tournament championshp match where they lost an epic five-set match against West Texas A&M.
But it wasn't enough to offset what was probably a better strength of schedule by Nebraska-Omaha, which took the final at-large bid.
What's worse is that an average Texas-Permian Basin team reached the tournament as the No. 8 seed after it earned the Heartland Conference's automatic bid with a win in the tournament championship. If Wildcat fans want something to be angry about, this is it: the eight teams in the Heartland Conference combined for a pathetic 101-146 record (.409 winning percentage), including a 23-63 record against teams from the LSC and Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA), the other two conferences in the South Central Region.
UTPB will draw the No. 1 seed in the tournament, Emporia State, in a first-round match later this week in Emporia, Kan. Call me stunned if the Lady Falcons are on the floor longer than 60 minutes.
Nice job, NCAA.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
WT wins 2008 LSC Title
A hard fought match ended with a 15-11 win in set five for the Lady Buffs - The Wildcats led 8-5, but the Lady Buffs went on a 10-3 run to end the match.
Great season Wildcats, and ACU will wait to hear from the regional rankings early next week!
Great season Wildcats, and ACU will wait to hear from the regional rankings early next week!
ACU WT tied up in set five!!
After trailing 5-3, the Wildcats stormed back with four-straight points to lead 7-5 before Graystone called a timeout ... then WT battled back to tie the score at 10 all before Campbell called her timeout ... LSC Championship is looming ...
We're going GAME 5!!!!!!
The Wildcats tied the match at two sets apiece with a tough 25-22 win in set four ... Great job by ACU to rally after two-straight losses in sets two and three ... A win over WT in Canyon would be the first time that they have ever lost a conference title game at home.
Hutt leads with 15 kills; Johnson and Prinsen have 12 apiece on the other side, but Prinsen the defending LSC player of the Year is hitting just .075 for the match
Hutt leads with 15 kills; Johnson and Prinsen have 12 apiece on the other side, but Prinsen the defending LSC player of the Year is hitting just .075 for the match
Holding on
In set four, the Wildcats are hanging on by a thread with a 20-18 lead. The Wildcats have built a four-point lead on two different occasions, but WT continues to fight back. Coach Martin just called a timeout and Jennie Hutt responded with a kill to put ACU up 21-18.
Wildcats fighting in set four
Tony Graystone calle another timeout for the Lady Buffs after ACU jumps out to a 13-9 lead in set four. WT has been very responsive after timeouts, so it will be interesting to see how they respond.
ACU falls behind 2-1
The comeback wasn't enough, the Lady Buffs ended up winning set three 25-21. The Wildcats were back to positive hitting numbers at .146, however, WT was impressive again at .286. Johnson and Prinsen have 11 kills apiece for WT and Hutt has 12 with a .304 hitting percentage for the Wildcats.
ACU looked competitive again in set three, which could bode well for them as they try to force a fifth, and deciding set.
ACU looked competitive again in set three, which could bode well for them as they try to force a fifth, and deciding set.
'Cats Clawing back
Don't you love sports puns?
Down by as much as eight, solid team work has put ACU back in the third set as the Wildcats trail 21-19 in a fierce comeback led by Jennie Hutt and Jordan Schilling. Let's see if they have what it takes to go up 2-1.
Down by as much as eight, solid team work has put ACU back in the third set as the Wildcats trail 21-19 in a fierce comeback led by Jennie Hutt and Jordan Schilling. Let's see if they have what it takes to go up 2-1.
another surge by WT
With the score tied at seven, WTAMU scored six of the next seven points before ACU called a timeout down 13-8 in set three. The Wildcats will need to keep the match close from here on out to have a chance at the end of this set.
Knot it at 1-1
The Lady Buffs take set two in dominating fashion with a 25-10 win to even the match at one set apiece.
The Wildcats hit a negative -.143 while the Buffs hit .344.
ACU managed just four kills in set two; WT's Laura Prinsen and Natalie Johnson lead the team with seven kills apiece.
The teams have elected not to take the 10-minute intermission between sets two and three - that decision, implemented this season, is a decision made by the home team. I guess the Lady Buffs will look to keep the Wildcats on the ropes in set three.
The Wildcats hit a negative -.143 while the Buffs hit .344.
ACU managed just four kills in set two; WT's Laura Prinsen and Natalie Johnson lead the team with seven kills apiece.
The teams have elected not to take the 10-minute intermission between sets two and three - that decision, implemented this season, is a decision made by the home team. I guess the Lady Buffs will look to keep the Wildcats on the ropes in set three.
WT jumps out in set two
After a 6-6 tie, the Lady Buffs have scored six straight and lead 12-6. The intensity combined with the large crowd at "The Box" in Canyon is making for a great college atmosphere as West Texas A&M crowds always tend to create.
Service Error leads to Wildcat set
The ACU Wildcats are up one set to none after a 25-23 win over the Lady Buffs. However, ACU should expect a tough one in set two. After a quick start, the Lady Buffs fought back and were point=for-point with ACU the remainder of the set. The Wildcats will need to hang tough.
Jennie Hutt already has six kills, and Hines has four total blocks. The Wildcats hit .220 and the Lady Buffs hit .171 in the first set.
Jennie Hutt already has six kills, and Hines has four total blocks. The Wildcats hit .220 and the Lady Buffs hit .171 in the first set.
Down to the wire in set one
Graystone called his second timeout for WT, ACU broke a 21-all tie to go up 23-21; Jordan Schilling to serve, we'll see if the Wildcats can hang on ...
Buffs battle back
Lindsey Campbell called her first timeout after WT outscored ACU 11-6 since going down 10-4. WIth the score 16-15, it's a brand new match as the teams battle for the first set...
WT needs a T.O.
Coach Graystone called a timeout after ACU jumps out to an early 10-4 lead in set one. Shawna Hines has had her hands on three total blocks, and the Lady Buffs are on their heels early, let's see if the momentum continues ...
LSC Volleyball championship has regional implications
The Wildcats were No. 9 in the South Central Region poll Monday before the LSC Tournament started. With wins over Angelo State and Tarleton State, it could mean that no matter what happens in tonight's championship match with West Texas A&M, that the Wildcats could be headed for the regional tournament next week.
Midwestern State was ranked ahead of the Wildcats at No. 8, however, the Mustangs fell to Texas Woman's in the quarterfinals match Thursday. Nebraska-Omaha sneaked in some how with a 16-14 record. Stranger things, have happened, but ACU could very well leapfrog both teams in next week's polls to make the tourney for the first time since 2005.
Yet another way to get in: Win the conference tournament, which the Wildcat women will look to do tonight against the No. 3 team in the nation.
The last time the two teams played in the regular season, West Texas A&M won 3-0 in Abilene Sept. 27.
The Lady Buffs have lost just 10 conference games since 1999, however, four were to ACU. The Wildcats will look for their first conference title since 2005.
Once again, former all-Americans Lindsey Martin and Amanda 'Slate' Farrell are taking on coaching duties for head coach Kellen Mock who was advised by her doctor to stay home in preparation for the birth of her first child.
Midwestern State was ranked ahead of the Wildcats at No. 8, however, the Mustangs fell to Texas Woman's in the quarterfinals match Thursday. Nebraska-Omaha sneaked in some how with a 16-14 record. Stranger things, have happened, but ACU could very well leapfrog both teams in next week's polls to make the tourney for the first time since 2005.
Yet another way to get in: Win the conference tournament, which the Wildcat women will look to do tonight against the No. 3 team in the nation.
The last time the two teams played in the regular season, West Texas A&M won 3-0 in Abilene Sept. 27.
The Lady Buffs have lost just 10 conference games since 1999, however, four were to ACU. The Wildcats will look for their first conference title since 2005.
Once again, former all-Americans Lindsey Martin and Amanda 'Slate' Farrell are taking on coaching duties for head coach Kellen Mock who was advised by her doctor to stay home in preparation for the birth of her first child.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Galleries Galore, Volleyball team advances in LSC Tourney
I was way behind on galleries, so I've tried to make up for it. But first, the Wildcat volleyball, ranked No. 9 in the South Central Region, defeated Angelo State in the LSC Quarterfinals Round Thursday in Canyon. They'll take on the winner of Tarleton State and Commerce Friday at 5 p.m. It was ACU's 11th consecutive victory, and the Wildcats are without head coach Kellen Mock this weekend as Mock is home on bed rest in preparation for the birth of her first child. Assistant Coach Lindsey Campbell took over the duties Thursday and helped the Wildcats avenge an Oct. 9 loss to the Rambelles.Also ...
• Shawna Hines was named the LSC Defensive Player of the Year; Ijeoma Moronu and Jordan Schilling were second team all-LSC selections, and Amy Wilson and Jennie Hutt were honorable mention. Hines was also a first-team selection and was named to the all-Academic team. Seven others were named to the LSC Comissioner's Honor Roll
• The football team is enjoying a bye week and awaiting the winner of the Central Washington and West Texas A&M game Saturday. Tickets are on sale, and will be available online by the weekend (details to come later).
• Bernard Scott and Matt Adams were LSC Players of the Week in the final week of the regular season last week. Scott had 201 yards and a touchdown while Adams kicked four field goals which tied a single-game ACU record that he and four other kickers hold. He's the only ACU kicker to ever kick four field goals in a game twice.
Here's the weekly podcast with head football coach Chris Thomsen
On to the Galleries:
Women's Soccer
- vs. Midwestern State 10.05.08
- vs. West Texas A&M 10.31.08
- vs. Eastern New Mexico 11.02.08
Volleyball
- vs. Angelo State (LSC Quarterfinals) 11.12.08
- vs. Southwestern Oklahoma State 10.23.08
- vs. Dallas Baptist 10.28.08
Football
- vs. East Central 10.04.08
- vs. Angelo State 10.1.08
- vs. West Texas A&M 10.18.08
- vs. Texas A&M-Kingsville 11.01.08
Saturday, November 8, 2008
I'm off ...
I'm off to the women's basketball game, but with 1:26, it appears they are going to kneel out the clock, congratulations Wildcats!
Adams ties his own record
Adams' 30-yard field goal puts ACU up 47-17 and that was his fourth field goal of the game. That ties a school record that he Eben Nelson, Mark Turner, and Dennis Brown have all set when they kicked four field goals in a game. Adams is the only player in school history to kick four field goals in a game twice.
Coach Thomsen just got the GATORADE BATH!
ACU will go on to win its third LSC title in school history. The last time, they shared the '77 title and the '73 team won it out-right. Both the '73 and '77 teams went on to win national titles ... maybe ....
Coach Thomsen just got the GATORADE BATH!
ACU will go on to win its third LSC title in school history. The last time, they shared the '77 title and the '73 team won it out-right. Both the '73 and '77 teams went on to win national titles ... maybe ....
Malone out, Scott out, Stewart and Campbell in
Malone took a few snaps in the fourth. It's a crazy day when your QB misses two games to a thumb injury, comes back has an 'off' day and still tosses four touchdown passes and throws for 262 yards (19 of 32).
Scott reached the 200-yard mark for the third time this season with 27 carries and 201 yards with a touchdown.
Zach Stewart is leading a drive in MSU territory right now
Scott reached the 200-yard mark for the third time this season with 27 carries and 201 yards with a touchdown.
Zach Stewart is leading a drive in MSU territory right now
Anderson puts ACU up 44-17
Malone's fourth touchdown pass was to Justin Anderson. That was Anderson's second catch on the year, and he scored from 10 yards out.
Wildcats up 44-17 early in the fourth quarter
Wildcats up 44-17 early in the fourth quarter
Pour it on
Malone hits Kendrick Holloway for a four-yard score, Adams' PAT is good.
11 plays 64 yards
Wildcats 37 Mustangs 17
An outright LSC Championship is just minutes away!!!!!!!!!!
11 plays 64 yards
Wildcats 37 Mustangs 17
An outright LSC Championship is just minutes away!!!!!!!!!!
Audio/Video back up
JumpTV called and told us the audio/video is up again for the Wildcat insiders on ACUsports.com
The game's close ... give it to MJ ... I mean Bernard
Scott has that "take over" ability that we all used to see in players like Michael Jordan. Up just six points, ACU's first drive started from its own 5-yard line. Scott had four caries for 67 yards including a 14-yard scamper into the endzone. With and Adams PAT, the score is 30-17 with 8:05 left in the third.
39 quarters of football have been played this year at ACU. The Wildcats have scored in 38. The only quarter we didn't score was the fourth quarter of the Angelo State game at home when we won 52-7.
By the way ACU's M.J. - Scott has 179 yards on the ground so far ...
39 quarters of football have been played this year at ACU. The Wildcats have scored in 38. The only quarter we didn't score was the fourth quarter of the Angelo State game at home when we won 52-7.
By the way ACU's M.J. - Scott has 179 yards on the ground so far ...
ACUSports.com is down, Wildcats up at half
For those of you used to getting your stats, and video/audio from the ACU Wildcat Insider. Our web site is down. The whole site is kept on the servers for JumpTV, the company that produces ACU's official athletics web site.
Since this morning at the volleyball, I had trouble posting information. So please be patient, and take it easy on our ACU administrators, as it is out of their control :)
Wildcats recovered the muffed kickoff return right before the first half ended. The Wildcat offense tried to get a few yards quickly with seven seconds left and hoped to leave one second on the clock for Adams to knock through another field goal, however, they were unable to do so.
ACU 23 Midwestern 17 Half
Since this morning at the volleyball, I had trouble posting information. So please be patient, and take it easy on our ACU administrators, as it is out of their control :)
Wildcats recovered the muffed kickoff return right before the first half ended. The Wildcat offense tried to get a few yards quickly with seven seconds left and hoped to leave one second on the clock for Adams to knock through another field goal, however, they were unable to do so.
ACU 23 Midwestern 17 Half
Fellows rescues defense
Nick Fellows returned an interception from the ACU 20 yardline into MSU territory to the Mustang 37-yard line. Malone completes a pass to Morris at the 20-yard line, Malone spikes it, then incomplete pass to Morris ... On third down Malone avoids a sack and chunks it towards the endzone, but the pass fell incomplete.
Adams' third field goal attempt from 37 yards is good and the Wildcats go up 23-17 with 0:09 left in the half.
Adams' third field goal attempt from 37 yards is good and the Wildcats go up 23-17 with 0:09 left in the half.
A tale of two Gates
Edmund Gates dropped a pass that would've put ACU in the redzone. However, a couple of plays later he made up for it making a leaping catch in the endzone from 31 yards out to give Malone his second touchdown pass and gave the Wildcats their first lead of the day at 20-17.
Maybe ACU can get a quick 3-and-out and drive down and get at least three to build more momentum headed into the locker room.
Maybe ACU can get a quick 3-and-out and drive down and get at least three to build more momentum headed into the locker room.
MSU kicker strikes back
Lee Scott knocks in a 44-yard field goal for the Mustangs to put MSU up 17-13 with 5:38 to go in the first half.
I'll tell you this, after last week's game in Kingsville, I could tell the guys were a little beat up. That 42-17 score was deceiving in a way because the Javelinas really put it to us. If the Wildcats can muster up a win here, they'll welcome the bye week to heal up in preparation for an NCAA Playoff run.
ACU needs to respond with a touchdown here.
I'll tell you this, after last week's game in Kingsville, I could tell the guys were a little beat up. That 42-17 score was deceiving in a way because the Javelinas really put it to us. If the Wildcats can muster up a win here, they'll welcome the bye week to heal up in preparation for an NCAA Playoff run.
ACU needs to respond with a touchdown here.
CPU emergency
Tea was spilled on the stats computer. So, I ran to ACU to get another laptop for Lance. Sorry for the delays.
Billy is rusty, but is still 8 of 14 for 134 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
Matt Adams just kicked his second field goal of the contest from 21 yards out, however, the Wildcats trail 14-13 with 7:28 left in the second quarter.
Billy is rusty, but is still 8 of 14 for 134 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
Matt Adams just kicked his second field goal of the contest from 21 yards out, however, the Wildcats trail 14-13 with 7:28 left in the second quarter.
Touchdown Mustangs
Tyron Morrison caught a 10-yard TD pass from Zack Eskridge and the PAT was good.
Midwestern 7 ACU 0 (12:06 1Q)
It is the first time since Aug. 30's win over NW Missouri State that the Wildcats have given up points in their opening defensive drive. It is also only the third time this year that ACU has trailed in a football game.
Midwestern 7 ACU 0 (12:06 1Q)
It is the first time since Aug. 30's win over NW Missouri State that the Wildcats have given up points in their opening defensive drive. It is also only the third time this year that ACU has trailed in a football game.
Rusty?
Billy Malone had Johnny Knox wide open down the sideline in ACU's first possession, however, Antoine Cumby intercepted Malone's first pass since the WTAMU game and returned deep into ACU territory.
The Wildcats are trying to keep MSU off the board, but the Mustangs are threatening in the red zone.
The Wildcats are trying to keep MSU off the board, but the Mustangs are threatening in the red zone.
22 seniors
P.A. Announcer Jason West just announced the 22 seniors that will be playing their final regular season home game. Although, it's almost certain that we will be hosting at least one playoff game if not more.
Whatever happens the rest of the season, many of these players including Matt Adams (PK), Sam Collins (C), Joseph Thompson (RG), Bernard Scott (RB), Billy Malone (QB), and Johnny Knox (WR), can be given some credit to a great turnaround in ACU's football program. After terrible times in the 90's and mediocre times in the 2000s. The last three years have established ACU as a regional and national power.
Whatever happens the rest of the season, many of these players including Matt Adams (PK), Sam Collins (C), Joseph Thompson (RG), Bernard Scott (RB), Billy Malone (QB), and Johnny Knox (WR), can be given some credit to a great turnaround in ACU's football program. After terrible times in the 90's and mediocre times in the 2000s. The last three years have established ACU as a regional and national power.
Guess who's back?
Back again ... Billy's back, tell a friend.
Malone starts in ACU's pursuit of a perfect regular season. Midwestern State comes to town to try and rain on the parade of a chance at 10-0. The last team to accomplish the feat at ACU was the 1950 squad, which was the only team in the nation regardless of division to finish undefeated.
Several members of that 1950 squad will serve as honorary team captains at today's game. Last year, ACU's come-from-behind win in Wichita Falls over the Mustangs sealed the deal for the Wildcats to make the Playoffs for the second-straight year.
ACU was down 38-21 in the third quarter, but a fierce rally capped by Bernard Scott's 5-yard run with a minute left helped the Wildcats go over the top. Midwestern did drive and threatened but the final play of the game was incomplete pass in the endzone.
On to other Wildcat news:
• ACU's men's cross country team won the South Central Region title while the women placed ninth. The Wildcats will head to the NCAA Division II National Meet in two weeks in Slippery Rock, Penn.
• Several soccer players were named to the all-LSC women's soccer team Thursday after falling in the opening round of the conference tournament. However, ACU posted its first winning season and made the tournament for the first time in only the program's second year of existence
• The volleyball team won its 10th straight game this morning over East Central. That is the longest winning streak of the season and brings ACU's record to 24-8 on the season. The rest of today's action will determine the Wildcats' seeding in next week's LSC Volleyball Tournament, however, it is likely that ACU will go to Canyon as the No. 3 seed
• Tonight's ACU fans can get their first taste of Wildcats women's basketball as they play an exhibition contest against NAIA Lubbock Christian at 7 p.m. at Moody Coliseum
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Watch LSC Soccer Tournament games online; Thomsen Podcast; Notes
The Lone Star Conference is sponsoring live audio and video coverage of the 2008 Women's Soccer Conference Tournament in Canyon this weekend. Fans can tune in for free at http://www.lonestarconference.tv or by following along at the Tournament Web Site.
• Volleyball has won eight-straight matches with a win over St. Edward's last night. Shawna Hines was also named the LSC South Division Defensive Player of the Week
ACU Football Coach Chris Thomsen discusses Kingsville and the upcoming game with Midwestern State (9:14)
Week 10 Football Notes
Week 10 Soccer Notes
Monday, November 3, 2008
Soccer and Volleyball making moves
There has been a lot of football talk lately. I just wanted to update you on a couple of other fall sports. The volleyball team has won seven-straight matches and the Wildcats head into their final three matches before the LSC Tournament in two weeks. Three wins to close out the season could see ACU surpassing its previous season high of consecutive wins with 10. If you remember, the Wildcats started out at 9-0 ... good luck!
The soccer team made the LSC postseason tournament in just its second year. This is a huge accomplishment and a great tag-team effort between head coach Casey Wilson and Thomas Pertuit to make that happen and continue the excellence of ACU Athletics. The Wildcats square off against Central Oklahoma in the opening round Friday at 2:30 p.m. in Canyon.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Halftime update
The Wildcats fell behind 10-7 early in the second quarter, but responded to that deficit with a six-play, 64-yard drive that took 2:23 off the clock and was capped with a 9-yard touchdown pass from Zach Stewart to Chris Morris. After the Wildcat defense forced a punt, the Wildcats responded with their longest drive of the season, an 11-play, 95-yard touchdown drive that took 3:22 off the clock.
On that drive, Stewart completed a huge fourth-and-three pass to Kendrick Holloway down to the Kingsville 31-yard line, and then he threw a beautiful ball to Johnny Knox from 31 yards out to make it 21-10 at the half. Knox caught the ball and barely got his right foot down in the back of the end zone to give the Wildcats their largest lead of the night.
The Wildcats' deficit, by the way, marked the first time they had trailed in a game this season since the 10:20 mark of the third quarter in the season-opening game at Northwest Missouri State. That covered an amazing stretch of about 466 minutes of game time.
Stewart, by the way, is 14 of 21 for 192 yards and two scores, while Bernard Scott has 14 carries for 89 yards and one touchdown. See if ACU head coach Chris Thomsen and offensive coordinator Ken Collums don't turn the game over to Mr. Scott in the second half and let him wear down the Javelina defense, which has given up 302 yards of offense to ACU in the first half.
On that drive, Stewart completed a huge fourth-and-three pass to Kendrick Holloway down to the Kingsville 31-yard line, and then he threw a beautiful ball to Johnny Knox from 31 yards out to make it 21-10 at the half. Knox caught the ball and barely got his right foot down in the back of the end zone to give the Wildcats their largest lead of the night.
The Wildcats' deficit, by the way, marked the first time they had trailed in a game this season since the 10:20 mark of the third quarter in the season-opening game at Northwest Missouri State. That covered an amazing stretch of about 466 minutes of game time.
Stewart, by the way, is 14 of 21 for 192 yards and two scores, while Bernard Scott has 14 carries for 89 yards and one touchdown. See if ACU head coach Chris Thomsen and offensive coordinator Ken Collums don't turn the game over to Mr. Scott in the second half and let him wear down the Javelina defense, which has given up 302 yards of offense to ACU in the first half.
Game time approaching
We're here in Kingsville for a key Lone Star Conference South Division game against the Javelinas of Texas A&M-Kingsville. Just about 45 minutes from kickoff and a few notes for you to think about as game time approaches:
* Redshirt freshman Zach Stewart will be the starter at quarterback again tonight as the Wildcats continue to rest senior Billy Malone and his injured right hand. Last week in his first collegiate start, Stewart completed 21 of 27 passes for almost 200 yards and two touchdowns. Malone, though, is suited up and is going through pre-game drills and could play if needed.
* Malone became a father for the second time Friday at 8:04 p.m. when his wife, Ashlee, gave birth to their second daughter, Cris Ashlyn Malone. She checked in at 7 lbs., 5 oz. and 21 inches long. Mom, baby and big sister Cydnie are all doing fine. Dad is doing well, too, and will be doing much better in about four hours if the Wildcats can win their fifth straight against the Javelinas.
* Internet rumors have had Bernard Scott with a high ankle sprain for the last three weeks. Let's put those rumors to rest right now. He's going through pre-game drills and looks fine.
* Another key player who is out tonight for the Wildcats is junior safety Tony Harp, who suffered a concussion in the fourth quarter of last week's win over Tarleton State. Harp hasn't been symptom-free for five days, and was ruled out of tonight's game. Redshirt freshman Richard Havins will get the start for Harp tonight against the Javelinas.
* There's already been one upset in the Super Region Four top-10 today where Missouri Western upset No. 7 Central Missouri, 42-41, essentially eliminating the Mules from contention for an NCAA Division II playoff berth. An ACU win tonight would almost certainly clinch the No. 1 seed in the playoffs for the Wildcats, leaving Tarleton State, Nebraska-Omaha and West Texas A&M to battle it out for two spots next week in the season-ending weekend.
* This just in: it's a long way to Kingsville.
* This also just in: Bernard Scott could be the deciding factor tonight.
Don't forget to vote on Tuesday.
* Redshirt freshman Zach Stewart will be the starter at quarterback again tonight as the Wildcats continue to rest senior Billy Malone and his injured right hand. Last week in his first collegiate start, Stewart completed 21 of 27 passes for almost 200 yards and two touchdowns. Malone, though, is suited up and is going through pre-game drills and could play if needed.
* Malone became a father for the second time Friday at 8:04 p.m. when his wife, Ashlee, gave birth to their second daughter, Cris Ashlyn Malone. She checked in at 7 lbs., 5 oz. and 21 inches long. Mom, baby and big sister Cydnie are all doing fine. Dad is doing well, too, and will be doing much better in about four hours if the Wildcats can win their fifth straight against the Javelinas.
* Internet rumors have had Bernard Scott with a high ankle sprain for the last three weeks. Let's put those rumors to rest right now. He's going through pre-game drills and looks fine.
* Another key player who is out tonight for the Wildcats is junior safety Tony Harp, who suffered a concussion in the fourth quarter of last week's win over Tarleton State. Harp hasn't been symptom-free for five days, and was ruled out of tonight's game. Redshirt freshman Richard Havins will get the start for Harp tonight against the Javelinas.
* There's already been one upset in the Super Region Four top-10 today where Missouri Western upset No. 7 Central Missouri, 42-41, essentially eliminating the Mules from contention for an NCAA Division II playoff berth. An ACU win tonight would almost certainly clinch the No. 1 seed in the playoffs for the Wildcats, leaving Tarleton State, Nebraska-Omaha and West Texas A&M to battle it out for two spots next week in the season-ending weekend.
* This just in: it's a long way to Kingsville.
* This also just in: Bernard Scott could be the deciding factor tonight.
Don't forget to vote on Tuesday.
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