By Daniel Johnson, Sports Editor
A big win over Southeastern Oklahoma State was a catalyst for the ACU football team in 2006.
The Wildcats’ 51-14 romping of the Savage Storm was the beginning of a sixgame winning streak, and ACU shut out its next two opponents on the schedule. After another big win over the Savage Storm in 2007, this time a 41-3 blowout, ACU has a chance to go on another run.
“I’m hoping that can turn into a snowball,” said senior cornerback Corey Jordan. “I’m feeling like we’re starting to hit on all cylinders, and if we do that, we can definitely go on a run.”
After scoring more than 40 points in two straight victories over former nationally ranked teams, ACU will take on the Lone Star Conference North Division’s best defense on Saturday, the Southwestern Oklahoma State Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs lead the LSC North in passing defense, rushing defense and scoring defense. And the 3-1 Bulldogs have only allowed 16.2 points per game and 318 rushing yards in four games.
Southwestern is coming off of a big 38-8 win over Oklahoma Panhandle State University, in which its defense only conceded one touchdown and scored three defensive touchdowns and blocked one punt against a struggling Aggies offense.
Despite its early successes, the Bulldogs haven’t faced an offense of ACU’s caliber yet.
The Wildcats scored 11 touchdowns in its last two games and averages 34.3, 194 and 230.7 rushing yards every game.
ACU junior running back Bernard Scott ran for 300 yards and five touchdowns in ACU’s last two wins, while backup senior running back Taber Minner ran for two touchdowns of his own. Scott’s 420 total rushing yards and 140.0 rushing average are the second best total in the LSC.
“I think we have the best 1-2 combo in the conference with Bernard and Taber,” said junior quarterback Billy Malone. “It’s awesome to have somebody who can run the ball like that, especially when I’m not passing as well as I can be.”
Malone has thrown for 632 yards and six touchdowns and one interception in ACU’s first three games.
ACU’s defense is coming off a dominating performance against Southeastern. The Wildcats did not allow a touchdown and held the Savage Storm to 48 rushing yards and 142 passing yards.
“As a team we feel like we’re nowhere close to peaking yet so our biggest thing is to get better every week,” said senior defensive end Travis Carpenter.
When ACU and Southwestern met up in 2006 the Wildcats dominated both sides of the ball in a 31-0 shutout win.
“We’re not really worried about streaks or anything,” Carpenter said. “We know that we still have a long way to go to play how we want to play.”
ACU and Southwestern will play in Weatherford, Okla., at 6 p.m. The game will be broadcast on KYYW 1470 AM.
