#24 STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE (0-1) VS. #16 ABILENE CHRISTIAN (0-1)
WHEN: SEPT. 6 (SAT.) 7:00 P.M.
WHERE: ABILENE, TEXAS (ANTHONY FIELD AT WILDCAT STADIUM)
MEDIA: ESPN+/JACKS RADIO NETWORK
SERIES:
ABILENE CHRISTIAN
FROM OCTOBER 6, 1973 - NOVEMBER 23, 2024
SFA leads the series 14-11 and 8-2 in the last 10 meetings against the Wildcats, with the Jacks winning 5 of the last 6, however are 4-7 on the road in Abilene.
With the FBS money games out of the way for both programs, we get ready for a good ole nationally ranked rivalry game matchup with the defending UAC Conference Champions Wildcats of Abilene Christian.
Head Coach Keith Patterson returns for this his 4th season at ACU where he has enjoyed immediate success in Abilene.
- 2022 WAC Coach of the Year
- 2024 UAC Coach of the Year
- 2024 UAC Champions
- Two-time finalist for Eddie Robinson Award (FCS Coach of the Year)
- 28 All-Conference Players
- 5 All-America Players
- 35 Academic All-WAC Selections
- 11 CSC Academic All-District Selections
- 1 CSC Academic All-America Selection
The 6-0; 215 senior Marshall transfer QB out of Birdville High in Fort Worth, completed 13 passes for 140 yards with 1 INT against Tulsa Saturday night. And much like SFA QB Vidlak at Houston, Earle spent most of the night scrambling, being sacked 5 times.
Overall the Wildcats managed 260 total yards (120 rushing and 140 passing) and a rushing TD averaging 5 yards a play off of 53 plays against the Golden Hurricanes.
Defensively ACU gave up just shy of 500 yards and 4 TD's (236 passing with 2 TD's and 263 rushing with 2 TD's) 7.33 yards a play on 68 total plays for a very balanced Tulsa attack.
Not much more to say as it is difficult to gage where these two teams currently stand after both teams started the season with FBS level competition with both offenses struggling against the speed that comes with that level. That perspective will change dramatically after Saturday night in West Texas.
With a solid road win against a Top 20 team like ACU, would do wonders for SFA in the national spotlight and the playoffs, and most likely catapult the Jacks into the Top 15, something that has not happened since 2011.
Axe'Em
