Lessons Learned: ACU vs. A&M-Kingsville

• Now, THAT'S what the No. 1 team in the nation might look like, only the Wildcats answered that bell about two weeks late.  Nevertheless, ACU took care of business, beating Texas A&M-Kingsville in a game that was not as close as the 47-35 score indicated.  The fourth quarter was a flag-fest, with several foolish penalties that gave the Javelinas life and momentum.
  
• ACU's run defense, ranked No. 1 in the nation entering this game, held the LSC's top rushing team to 50 yards on the ground. TAMK's junior RB, Fred Wilborn, is a real talent who ran for 263 yards last week, but could only manage 47 today. The Wildcats are a menace to their opponents' running game, and they put heavy pressure on QBs, as well.
• Four times in the red zone for the Wildcats, and four times they scored.
• Mitchell Gale played his best game of the season, stepping up when his team really needed a calm and steady presence in the pocket. The offensive line yielded no sacks, and Gale did a fine job of stepping up in the pocket when pressure came from the Javelina defensive ends. 
• WR Edmund Gates showed his speed on a fine play in the third quarter, catching a Gale pass on the sideline, shucking a tackler and sprinting for a 72-yard TD, ACU's longest of the season.

Final Stats: ACU 47, A&M-Kingsville 35

    Score: ACU 47, TAMK 35

    First downs: ACU 23, TAMK 21

    Rushes: ACU, 45 for 167 yards and 4 TDs; TAMK 24 for 50 yards and 1 TD

    Passes: ACU, 24 of 34 for 289 yards and 2 TDs; TAMK, 24 of 38 for 309 yards, 1 INT and 3 TDs

    Total yards: ACU 456, TAMK 359

    Possession time: ACU 36:33, TAMK 23:27

    Third-down conversions: ACU 8 of 16, TAMK 7 of 13

    Red-zone scores: ACU 4 of 4, TAMK 6 of 6

    Penalties: ACU 7 for 93 yards, TAMK 9 for 80 yards

    Leading rushers: ACU, Reggie Brown, 24 for 106 and 2 TDs, Daryl Richardson, 14 for 52 yards and 2 TDs; TAMK, Fred Winborn, 17 for 47 yards and 1 TD

    Leading passers: ACU, Mitchell Gale, 24 of 34 for 289 yards and 2 TDs; TAMK, Billy Garza, 24 of 38 for 309 yards, 1 INT and 3 TDs

    Leading receivers: ACU, Edmund Gates, 5 for 111 yards and 1 TD, Justin Andrews, 5 for 48 and 1 TD; TAMK, E.J. LeBlanc, 9 for 109 yards and 1 TD, Ryan Lincoln, 5 for 100 yards, Sherman Batiste, 5 for 91 yards and 2 TDs

SCORING SUMMARY

    Q1, 09:16 – ACU 7, TAMK 0 – Daryl Richardson 1-yard run (Morgan Lineberry kick)

    Q1, 03:46 – ACU 7, TAMK 7 – Corey Robertson 22-yard blocked punt return (Christian Brom kick)

    Q1, 00:10 – ACU 10, TAMK 7 – Morgan Lineberry 23-yard field goal

    Q2, 12:11 – TAMK 14, ACU 10 – E.J. LeBlanc 15-yard pass from Billy Garza (Brom kick)

    Q2, 06:10 – ACU 17, TAMK 14 – Reggie Brown 3-yard run (Lineberry kick)

    Q2, 03:54 – ACU 24, TAMK 14 – Richardson 1-yard run (Lineberry kick)

    Q3, 11:21 – ACU 31, TAMK 14 – Edmund Gates 72-yard pass from Mitchell Gale (Lineberry kick)

    Q3, 07:45 – ACU 33, TAMK 14 – Fred Thompson safety

    Q3, 03:51 – ACU 40, TAMK 14 – Justin Andrews 5-yard pass from Gale (Lineberry kick)

    Q3, 00:56 – ACU 47, TAMK 14 – Brown 4-yard run (Lineberry kick)

    Q4, 11:05 – ACU 47, TAMK 21 – Sherman Batiste 10-yard pass from Garza (Brom kick)

    Q4, 04:39 – ACU 47, TAMK 28 – Fred Winborn 1-yard run (Brom kick)

    Q4, 01:38 – ACU 47, TAMK 35 – Batiste 10-yard pass from Garza (Brom kick)

ACU Drive No. 13

TAMK's onside kick is caught by Terrell Woodall and returned to the Javelina 28. Gale takes a knee to let the clock run. And he does it again, with 0:44 left. One more knee, and it's a ballgame, folks. ACU 47, Texas A&M-Kingsville 35, Playoff Hopes: Still Ticking

TAMK Drive No. 11

Garza passes complete at the left sideline for a first down, and a personal foul penalty on the Wildcats gives the Javs a first down at the 48. Garza scrambles on a long run, the the Javs are called for holding, and the ball moves back to the 37. Garza completes another pass, but TAMK is flagged for holding, and the ball moves back to the 27. Garza passes over the head of his receiver, and amazingly, there are no flags on the play. However, on 2nd and 30 from the 27, TAMK is flagged for delay of game and a 5-yard loss of yardage. Fred Winborn runs up the middle for 2 yards. On 3rd and 33, Garza's long pass down the right sideline is complete to the ACU 30. ACU is flagged for roughing the passer, which takes the ball to the 15. Garza's pass on first down to no one in particular is incomplete in the left end zone. Garza's pass to Sherman Batiste is too far for him, and past the end zone. On 3rd and 10, Garza passes complete to Winborn, who takes it the ACU 1. Garza's pass to Batiste is complete for a Javelina TD, and the PAT kick is good, with the new score 47-35, still in ACU's favor with 1:38 left in Q4. That's what you call a garbage-time score, with five penalties called on the drive.

ACU Drive No. 12

TAMK lines up for an onside kick, but ACU calls timeout, its first of the second half. The Javs try it again, but ACU WR Austin Kessler fields it cleanly at the TAMK 43. On first down, Reggie Brown runs around left end for a gain of 3 to the Javs' 40. Brown is stuffed at the line of scrimmage, losing 4 to the 44 and bringing up third and 11. Brown runs for his life from a blitzing Kingsville defense, losing 5 to the 49. TAMK calls its third and final timeout of the second half. On fourth down, Mark Sprague punts successfully, and the kick is returned to the TAMK 20 with 3:34 left in Q4.

TAMK Drive No. 10

Garza's pass is complete in the right flat to Sherman Batiste, juggled, and run 29 yards to the ACU 30. Garza passes to WR Damian Couthren, who is out of bounds down the left sideline when catches the ball. Garza passes compete over the middle to WR Ryan Lincoln for a first down at the ACU 9. Fred Winborn runs up the middle to the ACU 5. Garza passes over the head of Lincoln in the left corner of the end zone, bringing up 3rd down and 5. Winborn runs up the middle to the ACU 1. On fourth and goal, Winburn stuttersteps his way around right end and into the end zone for a TAMK TD. PAT kick by Christian Brom is good, and ACU's lead is cut to 47-28 with 4:39 left in Q4.

ACU Drive No. 11

TAMK kickoff is fielded by Dennis Campbell and returned to the ACU 26. RB Reggie Brown runs up the middle for 2 to the 28. The Javs are losing their composure; flagged again, this time for offsides. Brown runs off right tackle to the 34, bringing up third and 2. Brown gains a first down, running off right tackle to the ACU 39, a gain of 5. Brown runs up the right side again, again for a first down at midfield, giving him 108 yards rushing on the day. Gale passes complete to RB Emery Dudensing, gaining 10 yards and another first down at the 40 of TAMK. Brown runs off right tackle for no gain. Brown runs off left tackle to the Kingsville 36. On 3rd and 6, Gale passes just short of his receiver in the end zone, Reggie Brown, who had slipped past defenders and was wide open. On fourth down, ACU is called for a delay of game so the ball could move 5 yards back and give Mark Sprague more room to punt. However, his punt is blocked and recovered by the Javs at the ACU 41 with 6:35 left in Q4.

TAMK Drive No. 9

ACU kickoff is returned to the TAMK 15. Billy Garza's pass on the right sideline is complete to the Javs' 39, good for a first down. RB Connell Davis runs off right tackle to the 44. ACU is flagged for a personal foul, and the Javs have a first down at the 41 of ACU. Garza somehow avoids being sacked, completing a shovel pass to Connell Davis, who loses 5 yards to the  46. Garza passes complete to E.J. LeBlanc, good for a first down at teh ACU 41. Garz passes complete on the right pass to LeBlanc on the right sideline or a first down at the 25, and ACU also is flagged for a personal foul, moving the ball to the Wildcat 12. Garza passes over the head of WR Sherman Batiste in the right corner of the end zone. RB Connell Davis is greeted rudely at the line of scrimmage, gaining 1 to the 11. Garza's pass in the end zone is broken up by Richard Havins. ACU is flagged for pass interference and TAMK is flagged for holding; offsetting penalties. Garza passes complete to Connell, who takes the ball down to the ACU 1, a gain of 10 and a first down. Connell finds heavy traffic up the middle, gaining no yardage. The Javs' are flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct, which moves the ball back to the ACU 16, where it is 2nd down. Garza passes complete to LeBlanc at the 9, where it is now third down. Garza passes complete to Sherman Batiste in the end zone, but the Javs' are flagged for a personal foul, which negates the TD and moves the ball to the ACU 24. Pinball football, this is. Garza passes to Batiste, but DB Josh Wise is flagged for interference. So the ball moves to the ACU 9. Connell takes the handoff, but loses 1 to the 10. Garza passes complete to Batiste in the end zone for a TD. PAT by Christian Brom is good, cutting ACU's lead to 47-21 with 11:05 left in Q4.

ACU Drive No. 10

Daryl Richardson runs for a first down to the TAMK 20. Mitchell Gale's pass for WR Edmund Gates at the right sideline is short and incomplete. Reggie Brown runs off left tackle for his customary 5 yards, to the Javs' 14. Gale passes complete over the middle to WR Austin Kessler, good for a first down at the Kingsville 3. Brown runs up the middle, losing 1 to the 4. Brown runs up the middle, diving into the end zone for another Wildcat TD. Lineberry's PAT kick is good, and ACU leads 46-14. Did anyone see this one coming? The Wildcats are back, creating turnovers, moving the ball, scoring TDs, and dominating again. 0:56 left in Q3.

TAMK Drive No. 8

ACU kickoff is fielded at the 5 and returned to the Javs' 41. Fred Winborn fumbles on first down, recovered by Wildcat DE Bryson Lewis at the 39 of the Javelinas, whose world is falling apart with 3:34 left in Q3.

ACU Drive No. 9

Following the safety, TAMK's free-kick is fielded by Dennis Campbell and returned to the ACU 39. Gale's pass to Edmund Gates is complete and out of bounds at the ACU 47, a gain of 8. Gates now has caught four passes for 101 yards in the game. RB Reggie Brown loses 1 yard on a carry up the middle. Gale passes complete to Gates at the Javs' 44, good for a first down. Gale's pass deep down the middle is too far for WR Raymond Radway. Gates takes the end-around handoff but is run out of bounds after losing 2 to the 46. Gale's pass to Terrell Woodall is nearly intercepted, bringing up fourth down and 12. Mark Sprague's punt is blocked, caught in the air by ACU LB Arthur Johnson, and run for a first down to the Javs' 25, one of the weirdest and most heads-up plays you'll see. A potential crusher in momentum for the Javs; we'll see. Gale passes complete to FB Justin Andrews, who shucks a tackler and runs to the TAMK 10 for a first down. Reggie Brown runs hard off right tackle, bounces off a Javelina, and gains 5 to the 5. TAMK calls its first timeout of the second half. Gale passes complete to Andrews in the end zone for a Wildcat TD of the 5-yard variety. Lineberry's PAT kick is good, and ACU leads 40-14 with 3:51 left in Q3.

TAMK Drive No. 7

At the Javs' 6 on first down, Garza passes complete in the right flat to WR Sherman Batiste, gaining 5 to the 11. Winborn is met at the line of scrimmage and dropped for a loss to the 7. On 3rd and 9, Garza is sacked by blitzing ACU LB Fred Thompson in the end zone for a safety for the Wildcats, who now lead 33-14 with 7:45 left in Q3.

ACU Drive No. 8

Under pressure, Gale sprints out and chooses to pass over the head of WR Raymond Radway, down the left sideline. RB Daryl Richardson runs up the middle for 3 to the 48. On 3rd and 7, Gale passes complete to WR Austin Kessler at the 47 of the Javelinas, short of a first down. On 4th down, Mark Sprague's punt is fair-caught at the TAMK 6 with 9:05 left in Q3.

TAMK Drive No. 6

ACU's kickoff is downed in the end zone for a touchback. Fred Winborn runs up the middle for a gain of 6 to the 26. Garza's pass to RB Connell Davis is juggled and falls incomplete in the right flat. On 3rd and 4, Garza passes short of his receiver in the right flat, bringing up fourth down. Cody Smith's punt is fieldd by V.J. McElroy at the 41 and returned to the 45 with 10:31 left in Q3

ACU Drive No. 7

This drive starts at the Wildcat 17. RB Daryl Richardson is met by a pack of Javelinas, losing 2. Gale's pass is complete in the right flat to WR Dennis Campbell, who runs out of bounds at the 21. On 3rd and 6, Gale passes complete to Campbell, who is tackled after gaining a first down at the Wildcat 28, a gain of 7. Timeout for an injured Javelina. Gale passes complete to Edmund Gates, who shakes two tacklers and runs the length of the field for a 72-yard TD, ACU's longest pass play of the 2009 season. Morgan Lineberry's PAT kick is good, and ACU's lead is now 31-14 with 11:21 left in Q3.

TAMK Drive No. 5

ACU kickoff returned to the Javs' 27. RB Fred Winborn takes the pitch and gains 8 to the 34. Winborn tries right tackle, gaining 4 to the 39. Garza's pass to WR Damian Couthren is juggled and caught, and he gains 3 to the 42 of the Javs. Garza's pass is broken up, and incomplete. On 3rd and 7, Garza passes behind his receiver, WR Darryl Malone, bringing up fourth down. Cody Smith's punt is downed at the 17 of ACU with 12:58 left in Q3.

ACU-TAMK Halftime Stats

    Score: ACU 24, TAMK 14

    First downs: ACU 14, TAMK 7

    Rushes: ACU, 24 for 119 yards; TAMK 10 for 29 yards

    Passes: ACU, 14 of 19 for 140 yards; TAMK, 9 of 13 for 111 yards

    Total yards: ACU 259, TAMK 140

    Possession time: ACU 19:45, TAMK 10:15

    Third-down conversions: ACU 4 of 7, TAMK 3 of 5

    Red-zone scores: ACU 4 of 4, TAMK 1 of 1

    Leading rushers: ACU, Reggie Brown, 10 for 76 and 1 TD; TAMK, Fred Winborn, 7 for 23 yards

    Leading passers: ACU, Mitchell Gale, 14 of 19 for 140 yards; TAMK, Billy Garza, 9 of 13 for 111 yards

    Leading receivers: ACU, Justin Andrews, 3 for 28 yards; TAMK, Ryan Lincoln, 3 for 67 yards

ACU Drive No. 6

Gale runs up the middle for 2 to the Wildcat 4, as the first half expires. ACU has a 24-14 lead, after two quarters, with a longer-than-usual halftime coming up – the Kingsville band made the trip to Abilene and will perform, then the Big Purple Band.

TAMK Drive No. 4

ACU kickoff is fielded in the end zone by Jonathan Woodson and returned to the 14. Garza's risky pass over the middle is caught for a gain of 3 to the 17. RB Fred Winborn runs around left end for 5 to the 22. On 3rd down, Winborn gains first-down yardage on some hard running, finally tackled at the 31 after a gain of 9. Garza's pass is knocked down by Aston Whiteside, and falls incomplete. Garza passes complete to Winborn, who gains 5 to the 36, bringing up 3rd and 5. Garza passes complete to Winborn, gaining 6 and a first down at the 32. Garza scambles, gaining 9 at the ACU 49. A screen pass to LeBlanc gains a first down at the ACU 44. Garza's pass to LeBlanc is broken up and nearly intercepted. Winborn escapes one tackle but is thrown for a loss of 6 at midfield by LB Arthur Johnson. The Javs call their third timeout of the first half. On third down and with 0:33 left in the first half, Garza's pass on the right sideline is dropped by WR Sherman Batiste; would have been a first down. The Javs' punt is downed at the Wildcat 2 with 0:17 left in the first half.

ACU Drive No. 5

RB Daryl Richardson runs up the middle for 3 to the 13 of TAMK. QB Mitchell Gale's pass to TE Trey Simone is complete to the 8. On 3rd and 2, Gale passes complete to Simeone for a first down at the 2. Richardson runs off right tackle to the 1. Richardson dives over the line for a 1-yard TD. Morgan Lineberry's PAT kick is good, and ACU stretches its lead to 23-14 with 3:54 left in Q2.

TAMK Drive No. 3

ACU's kickoff is fielded in the end zone for a touchback. At the Javs' 20 on first down, Garza's pass is picked off by DB Craig Harris at the 31 and returned to the TAMK 16, with 6 minutes left in Q2.

ACU Drive No. 4

TAMK kickoff is fielded by V.J. McElroy and returned to the ACU 31. The Wildcats are flagged for a personal foul on the return, which moves the ball back to their 16. RB Reggie Brown gains 5 up the middle to the 21. Prior to that last drive, the Javs had 10 yards of total offense in the first quarter. Brown catches Mitchell Gale's pass and runs for a first down at the 32. Gale passes complete to a wide-open Edmund Gates on the right sideline, good for another first down at midfield. Gale passes complete to WR Chris Fowler for a gain of 8 to the Javs' 42. Brown finds rough going on a run behind right tackle, gaining only 1 to the 41. On third and 1, Brown makes the first down up the middle, gaining 2 to the 39. Gale passes complete to FB Emery Dudensing, who is stopped for no gain. TAMK calls timeout. Brown runs hard around right end, gaining ground to the 33. On third and 4, Gale's pass in complete, bringing up fourth down. The Wildcats are going for it. Gale passes complete to Dennis Campbell over the middle, good for a first down at the Javs' 8, a gain of 25. Brown runs up the middle to the 3, a gain of 5. Brown carries into the end zone on 2nd down, good for a 5-yard TD run. PAT kick by Morgan Lineberry is good, and ACU retakes the lead, 17-14, with 6:10 left in Q2.

TAMK Drive No. 2

ACU kickoff is fielded by Jonathan Woodson and returned to the 20, but the Javs are flagged for holding. Ball moves back to the 10 for first down. RB Fred Winborn runs off right tackle, losing 1 to the TAMK 9 as the first quarter ends. Garza hands off to Winborn, who runs to the 11. TAMK flagged on the play, moving the ball back to the 6. Garza passes complete over the middle to E.J. LeBlanc at the 9. On third and 11, Garza passes complete to LeBlanc for a first down at the 25 of the Javs. Garza scrambles and passes complete to WR Ryan Lincoln over the middle, and he sprints to the ACU 17 for a first down, a gain of 58 yards. Winborn gains 2 on a run up the middle. Garza passes complete to LeBlanc, who takes it into the end zone for a 15-yard TD. The PAT kick is good, and the Javs lead, 14-10, with 12:11 left in Q2.

ACU Drive No. 3

TAMK kickoff is fielded by Dennis Campbell in the end zone and returned to the ACU 24. Gale's pass to WR Edmund Gates in the left flat is caught and advanced to the 27. Gale's pass to FB Justin Andrews finds first-down yardage to the 36, a gain of 9. Reggie Brown finds no room to run up the middle, reverses his field, gets an awesome block from Gale, and rumbles to the Kingsville 24. Gates takes the end-around handoff and gains 4 to the 20. Gale's pass to Gates is knocked down at the line of scrimmage, bringing up third and 6. Brown runs up the middle for a first down at the 11, a gain of 9. Brown pinballs up the middle, gaining 6 to the 5. Gale hands off to Brown, who loses 1 yard to the 6. Gale's pass to TE Ben Gibbs in the corner of the end zone is too tall for him. On fourth down, Morgan Lineberry's 23-yard field goal attempt is good, giving ACU the lead, 10-7, with 0:10 left in Q1.

ACU Drive No. 2

WR Edmund Gates takes the end-around handoff and gains 5 to the ACU 25. Gale passes complete to WR Chris Fowler for a gain of 8 and a first down at the ACU 34. Gale passes too tall for WR Terrell Woodall at the right sideline. Daryl Richardson gains 1 on a run up the middle, bringing up third and 9. Gale's deep pass down the left sideline to Gates is just a little too far. On fourth down, Mark Sprague's punt is blocked by Mardrick Johnson, recovered by the Javs' Corey Robertson, picked up at the ACU 22 and returned for a TD. PAT kick by Christian Brom is good and the score is tied, 7-7, with 3:46 left in Q1.

TAMK Drive No. 1

ACU kickoff is fumbled, recovered and returned to the Kingsville 10. RB Fred Winborn gains 7 yards on first down, at the 17. Billy Garza is the QB. He fakes a handoff and scrambles for a first down at the 25, a gain of 8. Garza passes complete to RB Jonathan Woodson for no gain. Winborn runs around right end, gaining 5 to the TAMK 33. Garza is sacked by Aston Whiteside and fumbles at the 18, recovered by OL Jorge Guerra. Kingsville's punt on fourth down is downed at the ACU 21 with 5:47 left in Q1.

ACU Drive No. 1

TAMK kickoff is fielded by Dennis Campbell and returned to the ACU 22. Daryl Richardson runs up the middle for a gain of 6 to the 28. Mitchell Gale is the QB. Richardson runs up the middle again, to the 31, bringing up third and 1. Richardson finds first-down yardage, and Kingsville is flagged for being offside. First down at the 36. Gale throws a swing pass in the right flat to FB Justin Andrews, gaining ground to the 38. Richardson runs for first-down yardage at the TAMK 44. Gale passes again in the right flat to Andrews and a first down at the 33 of the Javelinas. Gale throws a pretty screen pass to Richardson, who rumbles for another first down at the 19. Richardson is tripped up for no gain at the 19. Gale passes complete to Raymond Radway, who gains 14 to the TAMK 5 for another first down. Richardson runs off left tackle on first down, down to the 1-yard-line. Richardson finds no room to run, bringing up third and goal. ACU calls a time out, its first of the half. Richardson finds paydirt on third and goal, via big RT Trevis Turner. PAT kick by Morgan Lineberry is good, and ACU takes the early lead, 7-0. An impressive drive for the Wildcats, who needed one after last week's first TD-less performance since 2001. 9:16 left in Q1.

Just win, baby

With Game No. 10 on tap for both the Wildcats and their opponent today, the math and the plot for two teams with national playoff ambitions are pretty simple: win. 

The 7-2 Wildcats, who have lost their last two, control their own playoff destiny in the final two regular season games. Ditto for the Javelinas (8-1) of Texas A&M-Kingsville, who share the Lone Star Conference South Division lead with Tarleton State. Those two teams have a 6-1 division record. ACU, Midwestern State and Angelo State are tied for second with 5-2 marks.

It's a beautiful West Texas autumn day: a cloudless sky, only a wisp of a breeze from the northwest, and an expected high of 70.  Today's burning questions:

• ACU sports the top rushing defense in the nation (32.6 yards per game), coming off a suffocating smack-down of a good Tarleton State rush offense last week, which netted only -16 yards for the Texans. The Javelinas are the top rushing offense in the LSC at 191.7 per game. Last week, Kingsville junior RB Fred Winborn set a school rushing record with 263 yards, bettering the mark of the Javs' three-time Harlon Hill Trophy winner, Johnny Bailey. The run game and its defense are the keys to each team's strength; which one will prevail? 
  
• Can the Wildcat defense put behind it the two big plays that were the difference in last week's 13-6 loss to Tarleton? TSU's offense was dead except for a 57-yard punt return and and a 75-yard TD pass, both of which turned the game in the Texans' favor. Will ACU turn the screws down even tighter on this week's opponent?
• Can the ACU offensive line return to form and keep Mitchell Gale on his feet and away from an alarming number of sacks the past two weeks? 
• If Gale can't keep the offense moving, will Chris Thomsen call again on Zach Stewart, who was 7-0 in his starts before Gale took over earlier this season?
• Can ACU resurrect its dropback passing game, which has lately morphed into more of a sprint-out, Veer-look offense while Gale runs for his life to escape seemingly constant blitzes? The Javelinas are reportedly susceptible to downfield passing attacks.
• Can the ACU pass defense befuddle Kingsville's strong-armed senior QB, Billy Garza? He rose to No. 2 on the depth chart at the University of Illinois before transferring to play for the Javs last year.
• Is this the final home game for a long list of seniors, including arguably NCAA Division II's top NFL draft prospect, OL Tony Washington, and defensive back Tony Harp? If the Wildcats win their final two regular-season games, their strength-of-schedule rating (and record against a large handful of regionally and nationally ranked teams) could help them snag an early-round home game.

Back from the locker room

Just back to the press box from both locker rooms and the field where we enjoyed an ACU reunion of sorts at Paul Brown Stadium.

Both Bernard Scott and Danieal Manning were dinged up during the game and were in treatment post-game. However, we were able to get Johnny, Bernard and Danieal all together just before the Bears pulled out of the stadium.

Heard some great things from Chicago head coach Lovie Smith about both Johnny and Danieal being not only great football players, but also first-class men. Marvin Lewis told us much the same about Bernard before the game started.

Before we left, the three had a few moments alone in the west end zone where they shared a few laughs and stories as well as updated cell phone numbers. Danieal had a couple of chances to drill Bernard, but Bernard showed the moves that won him the Harlon Hill Award last year to avoid the tackles. They shared a pretty good laugh over both of those plays.

All in all, an unbelievable day for Abilene Christian University and its football program.

Grant Boone and I were talking earlier in the game about how proud ACU president Dr. Royce Money must be to see three players from ACU on the field in an NFL game. When he took over as president in 1991 no one ever had a thought about three players from ACU ever playing together in an NFL game.

That onetime longshot dream became a reality, and even though Danieal, Johnny and Coach Smith apologized for the Bears' performance in a 45-10 loss it was a great day to be a Wildcat.

Bernard now in

After Cedric Benson finished off a 32-carry, 180-yard performance against the Bears, Bernard Scott is in as the Bears run out the final 10 minutes of the game.

He went for four yards on his first carry, but then lost three on a third-down carry after a poor toss from backup quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan. You might remember O'Sullivan's name after he quarterbacked Cal-Davis against the Wildcats in both 2001 and 2002.

Homer's Odyssey

Hi, my name is Grant. I'm an ACU homer and I've come a long way. This game has long been over. I want ACU guys to get some stats. Make it happen, people.

Next on Fox!

During Bears' challenge of ruling that CIN RB Ced Benson didn't fumble, we see in press box Fox promo for new season of "So You Think You Can Dance?"

Cutler's QB performance today has inspired companion show, "So You Think You Can Throw It to Someone Wearing the Same Jersey?"

Pass to Bernard

Bernard Scott makes another big play for the Bengals, catching a screen pass from Carson Palmer for a 14-yard gain to the Bears' 28. Tack on a personal foul penalty and it moves the ball to the Bears' 14.

Two plays later, Palmer threw a 13-yard strike to Chad Ochocinco to make it 38-3 with 4:48 left in the third quarter.

Now we need a heavy dose of Bernard in the final 19 minutes.

Dull Cutler-y

Second INT of the day on 4th and 5 for CHI's Jay Cutler. He currently has a quarterback rating of Pi.

Big play for Knox

Johnny just caught a 16-yard pass on 3rd-and-21 to help move the ball to the Bengals' 40-yard line. On 4th-and-5, Cutler threw an interception -- his second of the day -- to Leon Hall, who returned it to the Cincinnati 39-yard line. Bengals' offense -- which shredded the Chicago defense for 292 yards in the first half is back on the field.

If the Bengals can make it 38-3, we might see Marvin Lewis take his starting back, Cedric Benson, out of the game and give us a chance to see Bernard run the ball. Benson had 98 yards on 20 carries in the first half.

Here's where we are

This is a photo of our vantage point during the game. The Ohio River is running just behind the east end zone. That's Kentucky across the river.

Buffet Bulletin

After media horde vacuumed up lunch smorgasbord of pork tenderloin, pot roast, baked chicken, two kinds of salad, fruit, mixed veggies and cherry cobbler, the Bengals catering staff has restocked buffet with burgers and dogs.

The weight of the assembled press corps is roughly the equivalent of Mars.

Bears on the board

Robbie Gould made a 22-yard field goal on the final play of the first half to make it Cincinnati 31, Chicago 3 at the break.

Johnny has one catch for 12 yards and five kickoff returns, while Bernard has one carry for 11 yards. Danieal has two tackles for the Bears' defense, which the Bengals moved through like a hot knife through butter.

Still .... a great thrill to see all three guys thriving and doing so well and contributing to their teams.

We're at halftime; we'll be back with the second half after this timeout.

Bears finally moving the ball

The Bears' offense finally decided to show up as they've moved to the Cincinnati 36-yard line with just 17 seconds left in the first half. Bears doing it all now in the hurry-up mode. However, Devin Hester just had an illegal motion penalty whistled against him to move the ball back to the 41.

Moral Victory

Bears force FG. This is brutal. Big Bengals lead could mean lots of carries for Bernard in the 2nd half.

Bears keep 'em out of the end zone

The Bears' defense finally made a play and Shayne Graham kicked a 29-yard field goal to make it 31-0 Bengals with 1:10 left in the first half.

Johnny Knox will have a chance to make a play on the kickoff.

First catch

Johnny just caught his first pass of the game, a 12-yard out route that moved the ball to the Chicago 31. Bears in hurry-up mode near the end of the first half.

On the next play, Cutler threw a pick that was tipped by Chris Crocker and intercepted by Leon Hall. He returned the ball to the Bears' 17-yard line. Johnny Knox made the tackle after a 23-yard return by Hall.

Bengals can make it 35-0 at half with another touchdown. The Wildcat Reunion Tour isn't go so well for two-thirds of the group.

Are these the 2007 Patriots?

Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer is doing his best Tom Brady impersonation here this afternoon.

He just Laveranues Coles with an 8-yard scoring strike and the Bengals lead the Bears 28-0 with 2:49 left in the first half. Bernard was lined up in the backfield to Palmer's right on the play, but went in motion and set up split wide right. Palmer took the shotgun snap, hit Coles in the left flat and the 10-year veteran from Florida State got into the end zone.

Palmer is now 14 of 16 for 176 yards and four touchdowns.

Ben Gals

The Ben Gals (cheerleaders) on the field during last timeout. Lance and I have not noticed how scantily they're clad.

Bad News Bears

Good news for Chicago D: they finally kept Chad Ochocinco out of the end zone. Bad news: couldn't do same with TE J.P. Foschi. 21-nil Bengals. Bears coach Lovie Smith petitioning referee Walt Anderson for a mulligan.

Bengals shredding Chicago

The Bengals just made it 21-0 with 11:14 left in the first half on Carson Palmer's third touchdown pass of the day. This time it was a 3-yard to J.P. Foschi.

Doesn't Palmer know we're here to see the former Wildcats do good things today? He's stealing the spotlight today.

Ochocinco just said something to teammate Bernard as the latter came off the field after a CHI punt. Might've told him to change his last name to Dos Ocho.

Knox with another return

Johnny returned his second kickoff of the game, this time for 23 yards giving him an average of 24.0 yards per return so far in the game.

Chicago head coach Lovie Smith would probably prefer that he only return the ball one more time today, which would be the opening kickoff of the second half.

Jay Cutler sacked on the Bears' first play from scrimmage as the Bengals' offense and defense are making it look really easy so far.

Making it look easy

Carson Palmer just capped an 80-yard scoring drive with an 8-yard touchdown pass to Chad Ochocinco in the back of the end zone. It was Palmer's second touchdown pass of the game as the Bengals are making it look easy. 14-0 with 1:07 left in the first quarter.

Bernard's first carry

Bernard Scott carried the ball for 11 yards on his first offensive play of the game, making a nice move in the hol and moving the chains down to the Chicago 17-yard line. Nice run and a quick reminder of what we saw the last two seasons at ACU.

Knox in for 2 plays, no balls thrown to him. Coincidence? I think not.

Nothing doing for the Bears

The Bears' first drive ended in a punt and the Bengals will start their second drive of the game at their own 20 with a 7-0 lead. Johnny was on the field for three plays but didn't have a ball thrown in his direction.

Knox return

Johnny got the Bears' offense in decent starting field position with a 25-yard return of the Bengals' kickoff.

Just remembered the only bad thing about covering an NFL game: too many stoppages in the game. We've already 3 media timeous and we're only 4:31 into the first quarter.

Knox not on field for Bears' first play from scrimmage.

Touchdown Bengals

The Bengals made it look easy on the first drive of the game, moving 77 yards on eight plays in just 4:00 to take a 7-0 lead. Carson Palmer capped the drive with a short touchdown pass to Chris Henry in the back of the end zone.

We've already seen Bernard Scott and Danieal Manning on the field today; now we're about to see Johnny Knox on the field on the Bears' kickoff return team.

TD-saving tackle

Danieal Manning saved a touchdown on a 23-yard run by Cedric Benson down to the Bears' 11-yard line. Bengals moving smartly from their own 23 on the game's first drive.

Manning with a tackle

Danieal Manning made the first tackle of the game after Chad Ochocinco picked up a big gain on the first play of the game.

Back to the field ...

Back to the field just before gametime for a quick chat with Gerald Ewing and came back through the tunnel off the playing field just before the teams entered the field. That gave a somewhat already-enthusiastic Bengals' fan a chance to absolutely rip ACU director of athletics Jared Mosley, who was wearing his Chicago Bears' #38 jersey (Danieal Manning's jersey).

Jared said it reminded him of his playing days at West Texas A&M or Central Oklahoma.

Game just about to kick off with Bernard deep to return the kick for the Bengals.

Lance Fleming Uniform Update

ACU SID Lance Fleming hasn't given up football for Lent. But he did give up lint for football earlier today. After shedding his sweater in the hotel lobby before leaving for the game, a lady from the front desk took a lint brush to his light purple button down shirt and gave him the once over.

I think this could become his new pregame ritual.

Wildcats in the house

Grant Boone, Gerald Ewing and I have not only made our way into Paul Brown Stadium, we've already been down on the field and talked with Bernard Scott, Johnny Knox and Danieal Manning.

The people here at Paul Brown Stadium have been more than accomodating, and the stadium is beautiful. A lot of things going on inside and around the stadium, which has a little bit of a big-time college atmosphere.

The trees around northern Kentucky and southern Ohio are in full fall bloom, there's a bit of a chill in the air and we've got three former Wildcats on the field today as the Bears and Bengals are kicking it off in about 90 minutes. It's all setting up to be a great day.

We visited with Bernard first, who had a lot of good things to say about the Bengals and the organizations. He hasn't touched the ball as much as he would like, but did say that he would be back deep on kickoffs today and that he might get more touches in the offense after working more with the offense this week in practice.

Johnny has already apparently made an impression on one of the league's best receivers as Chad Ochocinco came over during pre-game warmups to share a hug and a few words. Johnny's the same as always: big smile and a humble attitude.

The last guy out on the field was Danieal, and let me tell you, the guy is an absolute brick. Gave him a hug and it was like hugging a tree trunk. Not that he was a softie at ACU, but he looks like he's put on about 15 pounds of pure muscle. He talked glowingly of ACU, head coach Chris Thomsen and his time in Abilene. Mentioned how he needs to get back and finish that degree.

All three players seemed genuinely touched that ACU president Dr. Royce Money and director of athletics Jared Mosley would be in attendance. Pictures on the field with all of us together.

Again, should be a great, great day. More later as the game goes on.

Game Day: Cincinnati

Reporting live from Panera Bread across the river from Cincinnati in Florence, Kentucky. Dr. Money, SID Lance Fleming, school photographer Gerald Ewing and yours truly.

We're washing the disappointment of last night away in bagels, cream cheese and NFL anticipation. Kickoff at Paul Brown Stadium is at 4:15 p.m. local time (EDT). Chamber of Commerce weather. High in low 60s, dipping into the 40s by the time the game ends (in the dark) around 7:30.

Dr. Money - who'll be sitting with AD Jared Mosley in Sec. 148, 8 rows up from the field - is mulling over his wardrobe options. He's prohibited me from disclosing a particular article of clothing he's considering.

Stay tuned.

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.

Final stats: Tarleton State 13, ACU 6

    Score: TSU 13, ACU 6

    First downs: ACU 17, TSU 7

    Rushes: ACU, 44 for 63 yards; TSU 19 for -11 yards

    Passes: ACU, 16 of 41 for 192 yards and 2 INTs; TSU, 15 of 28 for 199 yards, 1 INT and 1 TD

    Total yards: ACU 255, TSU 188

    Possession time: ACU 38:11, TSU 21:49

    Third-down conversions: ACU 7 of 22, TSU 1 of 12

    Leading rushers: ACU, Daryl Richardson, 20 for 62 yards; TSU, Roderick Smith, 9 for 14 yards

    Leading passers: ACU, Mitchell Gale, 116 of 41 for 192 yards and 2 INTs; TSU, Scott Grantham, 15 of 28 for 199 yards, 1 INT and 1 TD

    Leading receivers: ACU, Kendrick Johnson, 6 for 80 yards; TSU, Jahmeel Hobson, 8 for 144 yards and 1 TD

    Etc: Mark Sprague had 9 punts for 389 yards, a 43.2-yard average; 21 punts in the game between both teams

SCORING SUMMARY

    Q2, 08:32 – ACU 3, TSU 0 – Morgan Lineberry 20-yard field goal

    Q2, 00:50 – ACU 6, TSU 0 – Morgan Lineberry 20-yard field goal

    Q4, 14:14 – ACU 6, TSU 6 – Devin Guinn 57-yard punt return for a TD (Garrett Lindholm kick blocked)

    Q4, 04:32 – TSU 13, ACU 6 – Jahmeel Hobson 75-yard TD pass from Scott Granholm (Lindholm kick)

ACU Drive No. 16

With 10 seconds left, Gale passes deep and incomplete. On 2nd and 10 with 2 seconds left, Gale passes deep and over his receivers, bringing an end to the game and the beginning of a joyous celebration on the field by players and fans of the Texans. Final score: TSU 13, ACU 6. 

TSU Drive No. 14

Roderick Smith runs off left tackle for 2 to the TSU 44. Smith runs again, gaining 2 to the 46. Smith rusn again, short of the first down at the TSU 47. On 4th and 5, TSU stalls while the clock runs. ACU calls its last timeout of the second half with 00:14 left. On 4th and 5, TSU is flagged for a false start, moving the ball back to the 42 of TSU. The Texans' punt is tipped and goes out of bounds at the ACU 40 with :08 left.

ACU Drive No. 15

TSU's kickoff is fielded at the ACU 32. On 1st and 10, Gale's pass is complete to Edmund Gates over the middle, good for a first down at the ACU 49. On 1st and 10, Gale scrambles and is brought down for a loss at the 46. Gale passes complete to Gates at midfield. Injury timeout for ACU lineman Trevis Turner, who leaves the field limping. On 3rd and 8, Gale passes incomplete on the left sideline to Gates. On fourth down, Gale passes complete to a leaping Kendrick Johnson at the TSU 35 for a first down. On first down, Gale is sacked by the blitzing TSU defense at the Texans' 42. On 2nd down and 17, Gale passes too far for WR Dennis Campbell over the deep middle. On 3rd and 17, Gale passes short of Gates over the middle. ACU takes its 2nd timeout of the second half. On 4th and 17, Gale passes incomplete to Gates over the middle, and the Texans take over with 1:53 left in Q4.

TSU Drive No. 13

Grantham's pass on first down is caught at the TSU 25, a gain of 5. On 2nd down, Grantham's pass is caught deep down the right sideline and run in for a 75-yard TD. The PAT is good, and Tarleton State takes the lead, 13-6, with 4:32 left in Q4.

ACU Drive No. 14

On 1st and 10, Reggie Brown is stopped for a loss of 1. On 2nd down, Gale's pass over the middle is incomplete. ACU calls a time out, its first of the 2nd half. On 3rd and 11 from the ACU 43, Gale's pass in incomplete. AC is flagged for illegal formation, bringing up fourth down and 11. Sprague's punt sails through the TSU end zone with 5:16 left in Q4.

TSU Drive No. 12

On 1st and 10 at the TSU 1, Evan Robertson gain 1 up the middle. On 2nd and 9 at the 2, Robertson is cut down at the 3. On 3rd down, Grantham passes complete on the right sideline for a first down at the 17. Grantham scrambles left and passes complete for a first down at the 31 of TSU. On 1st and 10, Robertson is thrown for a loss at the 26. On 2nd and 17, Grantham avoids the sack and throws the ball away at the left sideline. On 3rd and 17, Grantham passes complete but short of a first down at the TSU 36. On fourth down, TSU's punt is fielded by V.J. McElroy and returned to the ACU 44 with 6:16 left in Q4.

ACU Drive No. 13

On 1st and 10 at the ACU 38, Gale's pass is complete to Emery Dudensing, who fumbles but recovers at the 42. On 2nd and 6, Gale passes short of Edmund Gates. On 3rd and 6, Gale passes out of bounds at the right sideline. On 4th and 6 at the 42, Sprague boots a spectacular punt that scoots out of bounds at the TSU 1 with 10:03 left in Q4.

TSU Drive No. 11

On 1st and 10 at the 19, Roderick Smith gains 2 off left tackle. On 2nd and 8 from the 19, Grantham passes complete at the right sideline, for a gain to the 15, a gain of 4. On 3rd and 8, Grantham's pass over the middle is too tall, and incomplete. On fourth down, TSU punts to the ACU 38, where V.J. McElroy signals a fair catch with 11:02 left in Q4.

ACU Drive No. 12

TSU's kick is returned by V.J. McElroy to the ACU 47. On first and 10, Gale passes complete to Edmund Gates at the ACU 49. On 2nd and 8, Reggie Brown runs up the middle to the TSU 46. On 3rd and 3, Brown is stuffed at the line, gaining no ground. On 4th and 3, Sprague's punt is out of bounds at the TSU 19 with 12:13 left in Q3.

ACU Drive No. 11

ACU starts on its own 7, where Reggie Brown runs the ball on first down for no gain. On 2nd and 10, Brown bulls up the middle to the 12, bringing up 3rd and 5 as the third quarter winds down. TSU's offense is still stuck in neutral, and it's proving contagious for ACU as well. TSU has -16 yards of rushing, 61 yards of total offense, and just 4 first downs. ACU has 228 yards of total offense. On 3rd and 5, Gale fumbles the snap but recovers it, bringing up 4th and 8 at the ACU 9. Mark Sprague's punt is a beauty, fielded at the TSU 43 and returned 57 yards by Devin Guinn for a TD. TSU is flagged for a personal foul, and ball moves back 15 yards. The PAT is blocked by Fred Thompson, and the game is a tie, 6-6, with 14:14 left in Q3.

TSU Drive No. 10

TSU starts with a false-start penalty, bringing up first and 15. Roderick Smith cannot find any relief on a rush attempt, stopped for a gain of 1 at the 47 of TSU. Grantham's pass is incomplete. Smith is stoped for no gain, bringing up fourth down. TSU's punt is downed at the ACU 7 with 1:09 left in Q3.

ACU Drive No. 10

First and 10 at the ACU 19, and ACU is flagged for a false start, moving the ball back 5 yards. Richardson runs around left end, gaining good yardage to the 25. On 2nd and 4, Gale escapes heavy pressure, gaining 4 yards on the scramble. On 3rd and 8, Reggie Brown is tackled short of a first down, bringing up 4th down. Mark Sprague's punt is fielded at the ACU 49 with 2:20 left in Q3.

TSU Drive No. 9

Grantham passes for a first down at the ACU 49. On 2nd and 10, Smith gains 2 up the middle. On 3rd and 8, Grantham's pass over the middle is short and incomplete. On 3rd and 8, Grantham is nearly sacked, and flagged for intentional grounding. On fourth and 8 at the TSU 37, TSU's punt is fielded by V.J. McElroy and returned to the 19 of ACU with 4:17 left in Q3.

ACU Drive No. 9

ACU beings its drive on its own 15. Daryl Richardson runs off left tackle for 5 to the 15. On 2nd and 5, Richardson is stuffed at the line for no gain. On third and 5, Gale passes complete to WR Dennis Campbell over the middle for a first down at the ACU 35. Gale passes deep over the middle to Edmund Gates, but the ball is a little too long. On 2nd and 10, Richardson runs down the left side of the line and out of bounds, for no gain. WR Dennis Campbell is shook up on the play, and leaves the field. On 3rd and 8, ACU is flagged for a false start, backing the ball up 5 yards to the 32. Gale passes deep down the right sideline, but it's incomplete.  TSU is flagged for pass interference, however, so ACU has a first down at its own 47. Richardson runs up the middle on first down, gaining 2. On 2nd down, Gale overthrows Edmund Gates on a deep route. On 3rd and 8, Gale scrambles for a first down at the TSU 40. On 1st and 10, Richardson runs off right tackle to the TSU 34, a gain of 6. On 2nd and 4, Gale is sacked and fumbles. TSU recovers at its 39 with 5:40 let in Q3. 

TSU Drive No. 8

Grantham runs the option, pitching to Roderick Smith, who loses 3 yards to the 47. On 2nd and 13, Grantham's pass over the middle is dropped and incomplete. On third and 13, Grantham's pass is complete but the receiver is dropped for a loss by ACU LB Eric Edwards at the TSU 48. On fourth down, TSU's punt is fair-caught by Kendrick Johnson at the ACU 15 with 10:06 left in Q3.

ACU Drive No. 8

On first down, Mitchell Gale is sacked at the ACU 5, a loss of 11. On 2nd and 21, Reggie Brown is stuffed at line, losing 1 yard. On 3rd and 22, Brown runs up the middle for no gain. On fouth down, Mark Sprague's punt is fielded and fumbled, but the Texans recover at the ACU 44 with 11:35 left in Q3.

TSU Drive No. 7

Grantham's pass is intercepted by Reggie Mathis at the 16 with 13:35 left in Q2.

ACU Drive No. 7

TSU's kickoff to start the second half sails through the end zone, and ACU takes over on its 20. Regie Brown rushes up the middle for 2. On 2nd and 8, Brown runs off right tackle for 4. On third and 4, Gale's pass over middle to Edmund Gates is tipped and intercepted at the ACU 30 with 13:43 left in Q3.

ACU-TSU Halftime Stats

    Score: ACU 6, TSU 0

    First downs: ACU 12, TSU 3

    Rushes: ACU, 21 for 42 yards; TSU 9 for -16 yards

    Passes: ACU, 10 of 22 for 141 yards and 1 INT; TSU, 6 of 13 for 64 yards

    Total yards: ACU 183, TSU 48

    Possession time: ACU 19:46, TSU 10:14

    Third-down conversions: ACU 5 of 11, TSU 0 of 6

    Leading rushers: ACU, Daryl Richardson, 12 for 34 yards; TSU, Roderick Smith, 4 for 4 yards

    Leading passers: ACU, Mitchell Gale, 10 of 22 for 141 yards and 1 INT; TSU, Scott Grantham, 6 of 13 for 64 yards

    Leading receivers: ACU, Kendrick Johnson, 5 for 65 yards; TSU, Jahmeel Hobson, 2 for 24 yards

    Etc: Mark Sprague has 3 punts for 139 yards, a 46.3-yard average; Kendrick Johnson has 4 punt returns for 76 yards

TSU Drive No. 6

ACU's kickoff rolls through the end zone, and TSU takes over at its own 20 with 50 seconds left in the first half. Grantham's pass over the middle is dropped by Jahmeel Hobson. On 2nd and 10, his pass at the left sideline is good for a first down at the TSU 30 with 41 seconds left. ACU sacks Grantham. His pass in the left flat is incomplete, bringing up third and 17. His pass over the deep middle is incomplete (thanks to triple coverage on the receiver), bringing up fourth down. TSU's punt with 00:09 left is a beauty, fielded by Kendrick Johnson and returned 36 spectacular yards amid a flurry of penalty flags, as the clock runs down on the first half.  ACU 6, TSU 0 … the Wildcat defense, priceless.

ACU Drive No. 6

Richardson runs up the middle to the 47. Gale's pass on second down is incomplete in the left flat. On third and 5, Gale passes complete to Kendrick Johnson – who has a greatly expanded role in the offense tonight – for a first down at the 48 of ACU. On frist down, Richardson jitterbugs up the middle to the TSU 41, a gain of 7. On 2nd and 3, Richardson runs around left end for a first down at the TSU 37. Richardson runs behind tackle Tony Washington on the left side of the line, good for 5 yards at the 32. On 2nd down, Richardson finds tough going, and a gain of only 1. Gale's passis complete to Johnson over the middle, good for a first down at the TSU 24. Richardson dives up the middle on first down, gaining 4 to the 20. On 2nd and 6, Gale passes complete to TE Ben Gibbs for a first down at the Texan 4. On first and goal, Richardson runs off left tackle to the 3. On 2nd down, Gale's pass in the end zone is broken up. ACU calls its second timeout of the half. On third and goal at the 3, in front of a picturesque West Texas sundown scene (you'd be jealous of the view), Gale lofts an alley-oop pass in the end zone to Edmund Gates, who catches it but falls out of bounds. On fourth down, Morgan Lineberry boots his second 20-yard field goal of the game, stretching ACU's lead to 6-0 with 00:50 left in Q2.

TSU Drive No. 5

ACU's kickoff is fielded at the 20 and returned to the TSU 25. ACU's run defense came to play so far; the Texans have -2 yards of rushing. Grantham's pass on first down is way over the head of his receiver on the left sideline. On 2nd and 10, Grantham is sacked by Aston Whiteside and Tony Harp at the TSU 17. On third and 18, Grantham passes complete over the middle, but short of a first down at the 27. On 4th and 9, TSU's punt to Kendrick Johnson, who catches the ball over his shoulder and returns it 27 yards to the ACU 42 with 6:38 left in Q2.

ACU Drive No. 5

Daryl Richardson runs off right tackle for a gain of 5 on first down. On second down, he does the same, and is tackled at the 1. Tarleton calls a timeout, its first of the half. On third and goal, Richardson is tripped up at the TSU 3. On fourth down and goal at the 3, Morgan Lineberry boots a 20-yard field goal, giving ACU the 3-0 lead with 8:32 left in Q2.

ACU Drive No. 4

On 1st and 10 at the ACU 29, Mitchell Gale's pass to TE Ben Gibbs is short over the middle. Reggie Brown runs up the middle for 5 to the 29. On third down, Gale passes complete to WR Edmund Gates at the left sideline, and he is pushed out of bounds at the 43, where TSU is flagged (No. 4 of this half) for a personal foul. ACU moves to the TSU 42, where it is 1st and 10. Brown is thrown for a loss at the 44. On 2nd and 12, Gale passes over the head of Gates at the left sideline. On 3rd and 12, Gale passes complete to Raymond Radway at the left sideline, good for a first down at the TSU 23. Brown runs off left tackle, but for no gain. On 2nd and 10, Gale is sacked at the 26. The Texans are blitzing on nearly every play against the redshirt freshman. On third and 13, Gale passes incomplete to Gates at the left sideline, bringing up fourth down. ACU goes for it anyway, and is flagged for a false start and a loss of 5 to the 31. Facing a FG attempt into a stiff breeze, ACU opts to see if Mark Sprague can pin TSU near its goal with a punt. TSU fumbles the catch, and the Wildcats recover at the Texan 9 with 10:23 left in Q2.

TSU Drive No. 4

On the TSU 14, Grantham passes complete at the right sideline to WR Jahneel Hobson at the TSU 29, good for a first down. RB Roderick Smith rushes up the middle to the 35, escaping a Mike Jones attempted tackle in the backfield. The first quarter ends in a scoreless tie. On 2nd and 5 at the TSU 34, Smith tries the middle of the line, but to no avail. On third and 6, Grantham's pass to no one in particular over the deep middle, falls incomplete. On 4th and 6, TSU's punt is downed at the ACU 29 with 14:02 left in Q2.

ACU Drive No. 3

RB Reggie Brown runs up the middle to the 31. On second down, Gale passes complete to FB Justin Andrews, who finds first-down yardage up the left side at the ACU 44. Gale passes over the head of WR Edmund Gates, deep down the right sideline, bringing up 2nd and 10. Brown bulls up the middle for 5 to the 49. On third down, Gale passes through the hands of Edmund Gates over the deep middle, bringing up fourth down. Mark Sprague's punt is fair-caught by Devin Guinn at the TSU 14. 

TSU Drive No. 3

Roderick Smith runs up the middle for no gain. Grantham passes complete over the middle to the 27, bringing up third and 1. Smith is tripped up at the 26, a loss of 1. The Texans' punt is fielded by Kendrick Johnson, and he is tackled at the ACU 26 with 2:59 left in Q1.

ACU Drive No. 2

ACU is driving north on the field, and the sun, which faces the pressbox, has thankfully gone behind a cloud. Mitchell Gale's pass is complete to WR Kendrick Johnson for a first down at the ACU 40. Gale is sacked back at the 35. On 2nd and 15, Richardson gets the handoff but ACU is flagged for delay of game, moving the ball back to the 30. On 2nd and 20, Gale's pass to Edmund Gates sails over his head at the left sideline. On third and 20, Gale passes complete to Johnson who scrambles deftly to the TSU 44 for a first down. Gale passes complete to a wide-open Johnson again, over the middle, for another first down at the TSU 22. Gale avoids a sack and scrambles up the middle to the 26. TSU is blitzhing heavily.  Gale scrambles left and hits WR Raymond Radway on a pretty play, bringing up first down at the TSU 9. Richardson runs behind two FBs – Emery Dudensing and Justin Thompson – for no gain, but ACU is flagged for holding and TSU is flagged for being offsides, so no harm (other than TSU getting its third penalty of the first quarter). First and 9 at the 9. Out of the Wildcat formation, Johnson runs up the middle for no gain. Under heavy pressure, Gale passes short of Richardson, bringing up third and goal from the 9. Gale's pass at the goall ine is tipped and intercepted, and returned to the TSU 18.  The Texans take over with 5:03 left in Q1.

TSU Drive No. 2

ACU calls a time out. This looks a bit like a scrimmage, with both teams wearing purple and white and black. Grantham passes complete on the right sideline to WR Shaun Ragon at the TSU 36. Smith tries the right side of the line, gaining 2 to the 38. Grantham passes complete to WR Devon Gray at the TSU 41 (right sideline). Smith finds no daylight in the middle of the line, losing 1 to the 40. ACU's run defense looks finely tuned thus far. On fourth down, TSU's punt is fair-caught by Kendrick Johnson at the ACU 30 with 10:08 left in Q1.

ACU Drive No. 1

Mitchell Gale is the ACU QB, and Daryl Richardson is the RB. Richardson carries a mob of tacklers to the TSU 43, up the middle.  Again he carries, this time to the left, for a loss of 1. On third down, Gale passes short of Edmund Gates on the left sideline, bringing up fourth down and 9. Mark Sprague's punt sails into the end zone with 12:19 left in Q1.

TSU Drive No. 1

ACU's kickoff is fielded at the 1 and returned to the TSU 27. Scott Grantham is the Texan QB. Here go the penalties; TSU is flagged for a false start, and the ball moves back to the 22. Grantham passes short of his receiver at the right sideline. Roderick tries up the middle but loses yardage back to the 18. Grantham scrambles and throws out of bounds. TSU is flagged again, this time for holding, which ACU declines, bringing up fourth down. Not a good start for the Texan. Their punt is fielded by ACU's Kendrick Johnson and returned to the TSU 45 with 13:46 left in Q1.

Now It Gets Interesting

Hello from sunny and windy and cool Stephenville, home of the legendary barbeque at Hard Eight, and Tarleton State University. It's Homecoming for the purple-shirted Texans, an event the Wildcats hope will be just as kind to their hosts as what they experienced last week in Abilene.

That's when West Texas A&M recorded its third straight ACU Homecoming smackdown, sending the Wildcat alumni to their reunions and the Musical humming the blues, not March Grandioso. Coach Chris Thomsen's team hopes to do the same to Tarleton here in Memorial Stadium. Last time ACU was here (2007), it pulled out a thrilling (if you like offense) 70-63 win in the final quarter, thanks to 9 touchdowns between RB Bernard Scott and WR Johnny Knox, and Scott's school-record 283 yards rushing. Last year, Scott terrorized TSU again with 259 yards on the ground in a 37-17 ACU win in Shotwell Stadium.

Some thoughts about tonight's game:

• Both teams are 7-1 overall, 5-1 in the LSC and 2-1 in the LSC South. Neither can afford another loss and have much hope of a possible NCAA playoff bid. Tarleton's situation is more desperate, as its strength of schedule is poor (the teams they've beat this year are 4-24 overall), and its ranking not as high in the region and nation. Both teams have three games remaining in the regular season. ACU hosts Texas A&M-Kingsville next week, then hits the road to play Midwestern State. TSU plays at Angelo State next week, then hosts WT.
• Both teams are nationally ranked – ACU No. 9 and TSU No. 11.  ACU is fourth in the regional rankings, and TSU is 10th, that SOS thing again holding the Texans back. Both have stout defenses.  In the LSC, ACU is No. 1 in total defense and TSU is No. 2. Ditto for rushing offense for both teams. The Texans lead the LSC in a category they'd rather not – penalties – 103.2 yards per game of them, in fact. ACU ranks second-lowest in the league in that department.
• Can the Wildcats find an answer to defending the screen pass that did so much damage last week? TSU has a solid running back, Roderick Smith, who is comparable to WT's Keithon Fleming. 
• Will ACU need a downfield passing game if it gets behind? It has relied on a strong rushing attack thus far, giving redshirt freshman QB Mitchell Gale time to steady himself. Gale has a strong arm; is it accurate when under pressure, too?

All in the Family

For nearly 30 years, the closest thing to a royal lineage in the world of Wildcat and Lone Star Conference sports media relations involves a few branches of the Roberts family tree, most of whom have deep roots on the Hill.

For more than 25 years, ACU alumnus Garner Roberts was the sports information director (also known as SID) at his alma mater, and he still can be found volunteering in the press box at football games and at track and field meets in Abilene. He is a member of the CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America) Hall of Fame, with a well-worn passport reflecting the years he traveled the globe with the Wildcats, and his work in press relations at the Olympics and myriad other international athletics competitions.

His cousin, Joey Roberts, worked as a student employee in the ACU SID office, and now is the SID for Tarleton State University, today’s opponent for the Wildcats.

To a sports fan, the life of a SID looks pretty glamorous from afar: travel, rubbing shoulders with coaches, athletes and media; knowing the inside scoop; and a ringside seat to exciting events. It can be a rewarding career for a journalist with a love for sports, a saintly spouse and an extraordinarily understanding family.

It also requires an enormous amount of elbow grease; long, late and early hours; driving to and home from games in the middle of the night; fast-but-not-always-fabulous-food and not-so-hot coffee; and deadlines that loom like turkey buzzards eyeing road kill, complicated by quirky wireless signals, weather delays, overtime games and pole vault competitions that drag into the next day. And that’s not counting record-keeping responsibilities to challenge any Rain Man’s savant skills.

It's not for the faint of heart nor for those who tend to juke hard work. There's no cheering in a professional SID's pressbox; they're too busy taking care of business for the working media, professional scouts, league/NCAA officials and fans. Summers are spent catching up with the previous school year and getting ready for the next, when an SID such as Tarleton’s or ACU’s must juggle media relations and promotional and statistical sorties for up to – in ACU's case – 16 sports teams at a time. And while the Wildcats are notable exceptions, most SIDs rarely get to experience promoting their programs in a playoff or championship environment. For every SID’s moment in the spotlight with a successful team, there can be dozens of .500 seasons (and worse), lopsided losses and time spent sweltering or freezing in the great outdoors.

ACU’s SID is Lance Fleming, who is not related to a Roberts as best as I can tell, but knows to keep one handy nearby. Garner’s uncle, Bill Roberts, is a longtime volunteer statistician in the football pressbox at Shotwell Stadium. The public address announcer for Wildcat home games is Jason West of Snyder, Texas, who is married to Bill’s daughter (and Garner's cousin), Jami (Roberts) West, and whose two handsome young boys often sit next to their dad in the press box at Shotwell. In this photo, you can see Jaden (left) and Jaxon (middle) “helping” Jason at a recent game. The two boys are wearing toy headsets and sharing toy binoculars – little chips off the old Roberts’ block. Their mom, Jami, is a longtime graphic designer for ACU who produces, among other things, athletics-related publications for her alma mater.

Following Wildcat sports is frequently all in the family, you might say.

There can be benefits. Lance leaves tomorrow morning with ACU president Dr. Royce Money, athletics director Jared Mosley, broadcaster Grant Boone and longtime freelance photographer Gerald Ewing to watch the Cincinnati Bengals host the Chicago Bears on Sunday afternoon on the north bank of the Ohio River.

And it’s not because of the pregame tailgate fare at Paul Brown Stadium, however tasty that might be. Its an opportunity to watch former ACU stars Danieal Manning and Johnny Knox of the Bears line up against the Bengals’ Bernard Scott in a rare meeting of former Wildcats who are making headlines and turning heads in the sports world this autumn.

The hectic travel itinerary aside, it’s a welcome trip for someone whose promotional savvy as SID helped document – and launch – the promising professional careers of Manning, Knox and Scott. Sitting in a stadium or press box without any chores to do will be a rare treat in October. It’s also a well-deserved opportunity for Lance, who is one of the hardest-working and successful SIDs in the business.

ACU has 55 NCAA national championships (only USC, Stanford and UCLA have won more) and a decades-long reputation for producing first-string SIDs, a noteworthy family tradition all its own.

Lessons Learned: ACU vs. WTA&M

• For the second straight week, Homecoming proves an inhospitable occasion for a nationally ranked LSC team playing at, well, home. Last week it was Angelo State, whose party was spoiled by the Wildcats. This week, West Texas A&M played the boorish guest, deflating ACU here in Shotwell before a crowd of 12,875. What's more, to Wildcat fans, the Buffs have become October's version of Jason Voorhees, the fictional hockey goalie mask-wearing bad guy from the Friday the 13th slasher film series who stalks folks around Halloween time. WT has now spoiled ACU's Homecoming on its last three regular-season trips to Abilene. Can the LSC please schedule someone else for a change?
• For the second straight week, the nation's No. 1-ranked team tumbles. Last week, it was Grand Valley State, which hadn't lost a conference game in five years. This week, it was ACU. The University of North Alabama probably moves to No. 1 this week, and if head coach Terry Bowden's team is paying attention, it will play its opponent next week with a wary eye.
• WT found a way for its passing game to become a ball-control offense, which is a good thing because the Buffs couldn't solve ACU's rush defense. WT ran 19 times for 25 yards.
• Mitchell Gale struggled at QB for ACU (14 of 25 for 112 yards), but several dropped passes by his receivers didn't help matters. For all its speed at the WR position, the Wildcat had no downfield passing game, a credit to WT's defense.
• If ACU wins out in its final three regular-season games, it should have a place in the national playoffs. But it has to take care of business during the two road games (Tarleton and Midwestern State) and one home game (Texas A&M-Kingsville) remaining.
• The LSC South Division champion could have 1 or even 2 losses by the time November ends; the top teams are that close. 
• How far ACU tumbles in the regional rankings is the big question right now. Grand Valley State did a free-fall to No. 9 in its region after losing last week to an unranked opponent. ACU plays in the nation's toughest region; eight of the top 10 teams in Super Regional 4 entered this weekend in the nation's top 20 … 4 of them in the top 10.

WT Drive No. 12

WT takes over on the ACU 30 with 1:03 left. WT is called for delay of game, and the ball moves back to the 35. Harris takes a knee on first and 15, and the clock marches on. Harris takes a knee again, and the game ends. Final score: WT 32, ACU 21.

ACU Drive No. 10

WT's kickoff is fair-caught by Emery Dudensing at the ACU 34 with 2:10 left. Gale's pass is complete to Daryl Richardson in the left flat and run out of bounds at the ACU 35. Gale passes complete to WR Dennis Campbell and run out of bounds at the ACU 47 with 1:54 left. Gale's pass over the middle to Campbell is dropped. Gale is sacked at the 42 on second down. On third and 15 with 1:21 left, Gale is sacked again, this time at the ACU 29, with 1:09 left. On fourth and 23, Gale is sacked once more, and WT takes over on downs at the 30 with 1:03 left.

WT Drive No. 11

Harris' screen pass to Keithon Flemming is complete to the WT 31, a gain of 8. Harris passes complete over the middle to Brittan Golden for a first down at the WT 40. Fleming runs up the middle and down to the ACU 26 for a first down. Flemming runs up the middle again, gaining another first down at the ACU 15. WT calls timeout, its first of the second half. Harris' pass in the end zone is too long for his receiver, and incomplete. On second down, Harris' pass is complete over the middle to Josephius Martin at the ACU 9. On third down and 4, Harris' pass in the right flat is too tall, but DB DeMaurier Jordan is called for pass interference, moving the ball to the ACU 5 and giving WT a first down. Harris calls WT's second timeout of the second half. Flemming is dropped for a loss of 1 yard. On second down, Harris passes to Tyson Williams is caught, but out of bounds. On third and 6, Flemming catches a screen pass and runs into the end zone for a TD. James Chandler's PAT is good, and WT takes the lead, 32-21, with 2:10 left in Q4. 

ACU Drive No. 9

Justin Johnson returns the WT kickoff from the 11 to the 35, but a holding call on ACU moves the ball back to the 25. Daryl Richardson runs up the middle to the 29, a gain of 4. On second and 6, the play is whistled dead for a false start on ACU, moving the ball back to the 24. Richardson tries right end, running out of bounds at the 28. On third and 7, Gale's pass is too low for Dennis Campbell over the middle. On fourth down, Mark Sprague's punt rolls dead at the WT 23 with 6:08 left in Q4.

WT Drive No. 10

Keithon Flemming is gang-tackled at right end after a gain to the 27. Taylor Harris' pass is incomplete in the right flat. On third down and 3, Harris passes complete to TE Tyson Williams, good for a first down at the ACU 14. Harris passes complete to Williams at the ACU 10. Harris passes complete over the middle to Stephen Burton at the ACU 4. Harris passes over the head of Brittan Golden in the end zone. On second down, Keithon Flemming runs for a 4-yard TD off right tackle. James Chandler's PAT is good, giving WT a 25-21 lead with 7:44 left in Q4. 

ACU Drive No. 8

ACU begins this drive at its own 25. RB Daryl Richardson runs up the middle to the 27. Richardson get the pitch and finds no room to run, brought down for no gain. ACU is flagged and penalized 10 yards to the 17. Gale passes over the head of WR Edmund Gates at the right sideline. On third and 18, Gale's pass intended for Dennis Campbell is intercepted by Caleb Randolph at the ACU 29 with 10:15 left in Q4.

WT Drive No. 9

ACU kickoff is fielded at the 3 and returned to the 18. Harris passes complete at the right sideline to Stephen Burton for a first down at the 34. Harris completes a pass at the right sideline to TE Tyson Williams at the 39. Harris fumbles but it is picked up by a teammate who loses 5 yards on the play. On third down, Harris' pass is complete to Burton, who is rocked and brought down immediately at the WT 43, short of a first down. On fourth down and 1, Tim Cowdrey's punt is out of bounds at the ACU 25 with 11:40 left in Q4.

ACU Drive No. 7

WT kickoff is fielded by Justin Johnson at the goal line and run out of bounds at the ACU 26. RB Reggie Brown tries the middle but is stopped for no gain. WT is flagged for being offsides, so the ball moves to the 31. RB Daryl Richardson runs up the middle to the 35. On third and 1, Richardson clears the left end and runs for a big gainer to the WT 42 and a first down. WT cannot stop runs around that side of the line. Richardson finds no room to run off left tackle, losing 1 to the 43. Gale scrambles up the middle to the WT 34, bringing up third and 1. Richardson runs off left tackle, gaining enough for a first down at the 32. Injury timeout for a WT player. Gale passes complete over the middle to Richardson at the WT 29. Gale passes complete to Kendrick Johnson in the left flat, and he makes it to the 25. On third down and 3, Gale passes over the head of his intended receiver in the end zone. WT is flagged for defensive holding, moving the ball to the 15 and giving ACU a first down. Richardson is tackled at the 15 for no gain as the third quarter comes to an end with WT leading, 18-14. Richardson explodes up the middle for 10 yards to the WT 5 and a first down. Richardson follows up that run with another, finishing in the end zone and giving ACU the lead once more. Morgan Lineberry's PAT is good, and the new score is ACU 21, WT 18 with 14:26 left in Q3.

WT Drive No. 8

WT takes over on its 20. Taylor Harris passes complete for a first down at the Buffs' 34. Harris' pass to TE Tyson Williams is complete in the right flat. Harris passes complete to RB Keithon Flemming, and he takes the ball down the right sideline and out of bounds at the ACU 40. Harris ' pass to Williams is too tall on the right sideline. Harris is pressured out of the pocket, and his pass is intercepted by DB Drew Cuffee. However, ACU is flagged for holding, so WT gets a first down at the ACU 30. Harris is tackled for a loss by DE Nick Jones at the ACU 36. Flemming runs up the middle to the Wildcat 23. On third down,  Harris pass over the middle to Josephius Martin for a first down at the ACU 8. Harris passes complete to Fleming, who runs untouched to the end zone for a WT TD. Harris' pass is too tall for his receiver on the 2-point try, and the new score is WT 18, ACU 14 with 5:05 left in Q3.

ACU Drive No. 6

At the ACU 43 on first down, RB Reggie Brown runs up the middle for 5 to the 48. With two fullbacks in the game for ACU – Emery Dudensing and Justin Edwards – Brown tries the middle again for a gain of 1. Injury timeout for WT LB Bo Campbell to be helped off the field. On third and 2, Brown runs around left end for first down yardage at the WT 34. Brown tries left end again, but is tackled for no gain. ACU is called for holding, and the ball moves back to the WT 44. On first and 20, Gale passes complete to WR Chris Fowler to the WT 33. Brown runs around left end again, but the WT defense closes fast. A gain of 4 on the play. On third down, Daryl Richardson runs around left end but is successful, taking the ball to the WT 15 and a first down. Richardson runs up the middle, losing 3 yards on the play. Gale passes complete to Richardson, who is tackled at the 16. On third down, Gale's pass complete to Richardson in the left flat, but he is stopped short of a first down at the WT 12. Morgan Lineberry's 29-yard field goal attempt is wide right with 7:49 left in Q3, and ACU still leading, 14-12. 

WT Drive No. 7

ACU kickoff is fielded at the 5 and returned to the WT 18, but the Buffs are flagged for a block in the back, so the ball moves to the 9. Keithon Flemming lines up in the wildcat formation (no QB) and is stopped at the 10. In the wildcat again, Flemming runs around left end to the 12. Taylor Harris is back in at QB on third down, and his pass over the middle is too tall for Brittan Golden. On fourth down, Tim Cowdrey's punt is downed at the ACU 43 with 13:22 left in Q3.

ACU-WT Halftime Stats

    Score: ACU 14, WT 12

    First downs: ACU 11, WT 10

    Rushes: ACU, 28 for 105 yards; WT, 8 for -30 yards

    Passes: ACU, 7 of 14 for 76 yards; WT, 19 of 26 for 213 yards

    Total yards: ACU 181, WT 183

    Possession time: ACU 16:24, WT 13:36

    Third-down conversions: ACU 4 of 7, WT 2 of 7

    Leading rushers: ACU, Reggie Brown 13 for 52 yards and 1 TD, Daryl Richardson 9 for 37 yards and 1 TD; WT, Keithon Flemming, 3 for 2 yards and 1 TD

    Leading passers: ACU, Mitchell Gale, 7 of 14 for 76 yards; WT, Taylor Harris, 19 of 26 for 213 yards

    Leading receivers: ACU, Dennis Campbell, 2 for 31 yards; WT, Stephen Burton, 5 for 85 yards

WT Drive No. 6

ACU's kickoff is fielded at the 8 and returned to the WT 32 with 7 seconds left in the first half. WT takes a knee and the first half ends with ACU leading 14-12.

ACU Drive No. 5

WT's kickoff is fielded at the goal line by Justin Johnson and returned to the ACU 33. RB Daryl Richardson finds little room up the middle, gaining 2 to the 35. Gale passes complete to Edmund Gates in the right flat, and he runs for a first down at the ACU 49. Gale escapes heavy pressure from the WT defense, scrambling up the middle for 1 to midfield. Gale passes complete to WR Dennis Campbell up the right sideline, good for a first down at the WT 35. Gale passes over the middle to Gates, who juggles the ball before it falls incomplete. Gale scrambles around left end to the WT 27. On third down, Gale runs a QB draw that is short of a first down at the WT 26. ACU calls a timeout with 1:22 left in the first half. On fourth down, Richardson darts through a hole in the middle of the line and gains the first down at the WT 21. Gale's pass is just off the fingertips of WR Kendrick Johnson in the left flat. Richardson runs around left end and down to the WT 4 for a first down. Richardson runs up the middle to the WT 2. ACU calls its third and final timeout of the first half at 0:24. On second and goal, Gale's pass to FB Justin Andrews is too far for his reach in the end zone. On third and goal, Richardson runs up the middle for 2 yards and ACU's second TD of the game. Morgan Linebery's PAT is good and ACU regains the lead, 14-12 with 0:14 left in Q2. 

WT Drive No. 5

Harris passes complete to WR Brittan Golden at the WT 46. Harris passes complete over the middle to Golden, who is tackled at the ACU 36, good for a first down. Harris passes complete to Golden, who is cut down at the 35. Harris' pass to Stephen Burton is dropped in the right flat, bringing up third down. Harris passes to Burton again, who doesn't drop it, and runs out of bounds at the ACU 1. RB Keithon Flemming runs around right end, scoring WT's first TD of the game. James Chandler's PAT is good, and WT now leads 12-7 with 4:17 left in Q2.

ACU Drive No. 4

ACU's drive starts at its own 1. On first down, the Wildcats are tackled in the end zone for a safety. ACU's lead is cut to 7-5 with 6:24 left in Q2. Mark Sprague's free kick is fielded at the WT 39 and returned to its 44 with 6:14 left in Q2.

WT Drive No. 4

Harris passes complete to the WT 10. On second down, LB Kevin Washington sacks Harris with gusto at the WT 3, a loss of 7. Harris passes complete over the middle to WR Stephen Burton, who is tackled at the 24. ACU is flagged for a personal foul (facemask), and the ball advances to the WT 39. The Buffs are flagged for a false start, and the ball backs up to the 34. Harris passes complete to Keithon Flemming, who is tackled at the 50. Harris pases complete to WR Brittan Golden at the ACU 48, good for a first down. Harris scrambles out of the pocket and passes complete to TE Tyson Williams for a first down at the ACU 36. Harris' pass is off the hands of Burton at the right sideline. Flemming runs off left tackle but loses a yard to the 37. On third down, Harris is hurried by a charging Aston Whiteside and his throw to the left falls incomplete. On fourth down, Tim Cowdrey's punt is downed at the ACU 1 with 6:28 left in Q2.

ACU Drive No. 3

Mitchell Gale is sacked on first down at the ACU 24. Gale passes complete over the middle to WR Dennis Campbell at the ACU 40 for a first down. RB Reggie Brown runs up the middle for a gain of 4 to the 44. Gale scrambles out of bounds at the WT 49, good for another first down. Gale is hit as he attempts a pass into the right flat, and it falls incomplete. Brown blasts up the middle to the WT 42. ACU is flagged for clipping, however, and the ball backs up to the Wildcat 40, where it will be second down. Brown rips up the middle for a gain of 11 to the WT 49. Gale passes over the head of Campbell at the left sideline, bringing up fourth down. Mark Sprague's punt is a beauty, and is downed by a teammate at the WT 5 with 10:39 left in Q2.

WT Drive No. 3

ACU's kickoff is fielded at the 5 and returned to the WT 25. Harris passes complete at the right sideline to WR Stephen Burton at the WT 31. Harris's screen pass in the right flat is complete to Keithon Fleming, who nearly breaks a run for a TD before stepping out of bounds deep in ACU territory. WT, however, is flagged for holding, which brings the ball back to the ACU 42. On first down, Harris passes complete to WR Josephius Martin over the middle, and he is tackled at the ACU 33.  End of Q1. Harris hands off to Flemming, who escapes trouble in the backfield and is tackled at the ACU 30. ACU calls timeout. Harris pass is complete to Flemming, who runs the ball for no gain on second down. Harris is nearly sacked by Aston Whiteside, and his pass is broken up on third down. On fourth down, James Changler's 47-yard field goal attempt is wide right with 13:54 left in Q2 and ACU leading, 7-3.

ACU Drive No. 2

On first down, QB Mitchell Gale scrambles and trips at the WT 49. RB Reggie Brown runs up the middle for a gain of 2 to the 47. On third down, Gale passes complete  to WR Chris Fowler at the WT 43, good for a first down. Brown runs up the middle through a big hole, gaining ground to the 39. Brown carries again for a first down at the 31. Brown again tries the middle, gaining 3 to the 28. Gale passes complete in the right flat to FB Emery Dudensing, good for a first down at the WT 17. Brown barrels off right tackle to the WT 9. WT flagged for being offside, penalty declined. On second and 2, Brown runs up the middle to the WT 5 and another first down. Brown runs again off right tackle to the 3. On second down. Brown runs behind left tackle to the 2. On third and goal, Brown runs off right tackle for a Wildcat TD. Morgan Lineberry's PAT try is good and ACU leads 7-3 with 0:45 left in Q1. 

WT Drive No. 2

On first down, Harris' pass sails over the head of his intended receiver at the right sideline. Harris pases complete to WR Josephis Martin at the WT 30. On third down, Harris is sacked in Mr. Whiteside's Neighborhood (courtesty of Aston Whiteside, that is), at the WT 25.  On fourth down, WT's punt by Tim Cowdrey is fair-caught by ACU's Kendrick Johnson at the ACU 46 with 6:04 left in Q1. 

ACU Drive No. 2

WT's kickoff is fielded by ACU's Justin Johnson at the 4 and returned to the ACU 20. Daryl Richardson runs up the middle to the ACU 24. Richardson runs off right tackle to the ACU 26. On third down, Mitchell Gale passes complete to WR Chris Fowler, good for a first down at the ACU 35. Gale's pass sails over the head of TE Ben Gibbs on second down. Richardson runs up the middle for a gain of 2 to the 37. On third down and 8, Gale passes complete to Gibbs over the middle, but he is just short of a first down at the 43. On fourth down, Mark Sprague's punt is fair-caught at the WT 26 with 7:32 left in Q1. WT leads, 3-0.

WT Drive No. 1

The pass of WT QB Taylor Harris pass is complete in the right for a gain of 6 to the ACU 29. WT calls a time out. Keithon Flemming lines up in the wildcat formation but the snap is over his head, and he is tackled at the WT 46. Harris pass is complete to WR Stephen Burton to the ACU 29. WT is going for it on fourth down. Harris passes complete to TE Tyson Williams at the ACU 18 for a first down. Harris passes complete to Flemming in the left flat, and he is tackled at the ACU 13. Flemming passes comlte over the middle to Burston, a gain to the 8 of ACU and a first down. A run play to the left loses ground to the 11. Harris' pass is incomplete over the middle on second down. Harris lofts a pass into the left corner of the end zone that is broken up by Drew Cuffee, and nearly intercepted. On fourth down, WT's James Chandler kicks a 25-yard field goal. WT 3, ACU 0 with 10:27 left in Q1. 

ACU Drive No. 1

WT kickoff fielded at the 25 by FB Justin Andrews and returned to the ACU 36. First and 10. RB Daryl Richardson runs around left end, gaining 1 to the 37. Mtchel Gale 's pass to Edmund Gates is short and intercepted by WT's Shad Baichtal at the ACU 36. 14:12 left in Q1. 

What a Difference a Year Makes

There will be plenty of sunburned faces at church Sunday morning, as the weatherman has delivered a perfect day for ACU's Homecoming football game against the Buffs from West Texas A&M in Shotwell Stadim: sunny, 66 degrees and no wind.  Some pre-game thoughts:

• The ACU Alumni Association served bison burgers at its pre-game party in the campus mall at noon, but it remains to be seen if the Wildcats will be sporting an 8-0 record at game's end, or eating humble pie for dessert. 
• Abilene Christian enters this game wearing the mantle of the top-ranked team in NCAA Division II, and we'll see how well it fits. The Buffs have plenty of motivation to pull the upset. At 2-5, a win would make their season. This is one of the Lone Star Conference's best rivalries in recent years, with two teams who respect but don't like either very much. And WT is still stinging from an entertaining and record-setting but embarrassing 93-68 loss here in Shotwell last fall in the NCAA playoffs.
  
• Stars from last year's two games between ACU and WT are earning paychecks in the NFL this weekend: former Wildcats Bernard Scott (running back, Cincinnati Bengals) and Johnny Knox (wide receiver and kick returner, Chicago Bears) and former WT QB Keith Null (St. Louis Rams). They leave quite a legacy on their respective campuses.
• Redshirt freshman Mitchell Gale starts his third college game as QB of the Wildcats. Can he continue to impress with his strong arm and calm decision-making ability?
• Will the frantic pace of WT's offense be the undoing again of its defense, which is sure to spend a lot of time on the field, thanks to ACU's strong running game and ball-control offense?
• Can ACU's large and talented offensive line continue to power its running game, and slow down the WT rush, which has registered 16 sacks the past four contests?
• How much animosity lingers from last year's 93-68 win for ACU that ended WT's season? Against their coaches' directions, a couple of Wildcats tried to run back the final play of the game – a kickoff return – for a TD, with some in the crowd urging them to try to score 100 points. ACU head coach Chris Thomsen apologized for it afterward. WR Edmund Gates was one of the players who participated in the final play laterals; will the Buffs find a way to remind him of it today?
• Will Homecoming for ACU have an effect on the Wildcats' play, positively or negatively? Last week in San Angelo, nationally ranked Angelo State laid an egg of sorts before a big alumni crowd. ACU has not always played well at this big event in recent years. This is a big crowd today Shotwell, energized by the new No. 1 national ranking. Will the Wildcats be as well?