By Daniel Johnson, Sports Editor
ACU’s football team posted one of its best seasons in almost 30 years, but quarterback Billy Malone is unwilling to call the season a complete success.
“We can talk about how good we did, but we didn’t finish well,” Malone said.
ACU finished its season with a 30-27 overtime loss to West Texas A&M in the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs on Nov. 18. The loss was ACU’s first appearance in the playoffs since joining the NCAA and dropped the Wildcats’ overall record to 8-3.
Although ACU had a 15-point lead with eight minutes remaining in the game, quarterback Dalton Bell led West Texas in a fourth-quarter charge of 15 unanswered points to tie the game and force an overtime.
In overtime, West Texas gained a three-point advantage with a 20-yard field goal and sustained its lead after blocking an ACU field goal attempt in the Wildcats’ first overtime possession.
The victory moved the Buffs to the next round of the playoffs, where they lost 43-17 to Chadron State.
Despite ending the season with a loss, the Wildcats did things that an ACU football team hasn’t done in a long time.
ACU recorded eight wins for the first time since 1981, set a team record with 11 first-team all-conference awards and finished the season with a No. 22 national ranking. And on top of that the Wildcats’ playoff berth was the first time an ACU football team made any postseason—NCAA or otherwise—since 1977.
“I think we’ve grown as a team and as a family,” said linebacker Cody Stutts. “I’m looking forward to the offseason and getting started with my family.”
Individually, Malone secured his spot in the ACU record books by setting the new record for completions in a single season with 245. Malone’s total of 3,136 claimed him the second spot in the ACU single-season record, and his 27 touchdown passes put him third in that single season record.
Malone’s most consistent target, wide receiver Jerale Badon, also climbed toward the top of the ACU record books. With 63 catches this season, Badon posted the third-best performance in ACU history and is second on the career receiving charts with 162. Badon’s 63 catches and 973 yards led the Wildcat receiving corps and wide receiver Chris Morris was second with 42 catches for 539 yards.
Running back Taber Minner finished the season with 815-yards rushing and 12 touchdowns while running back Chancy Campbell was second with 654 yards and nine touchdowns.
On defense, Stutts led the Wildcats in tackles with 93, defensive end Travis Carpenter led the team with nine sacks and cornerback Corey Jordan had a team high four interceptions.
Regardless of the Wildcats’ success and Malone’s personal success, he said he is ready to begin preparation for next season.
“You win your football games in the offseason and I truly believe that if we work our butts of its gonna pay off on the field.”
