The ACU Wildcats have moved to 7-0 with a 54-14 beat down of the University of Incarnate Word in ACU’s first ever match-up with the Cardinals.

Mitchell Gale had another monster night as he continues to dominate opponents. Gale went 17-26 for 379 yards and five touchdowns. He did throw his first interception of the season when a pass intended for Taylor Gabriel bounced off Gabriel’s hands and was picked off by the Cardinals.

“I thought Mitchell did another nice job tonight,” said ACU Head Coach Chris Thomsen.

Edmund Gates had another 100 yards in receiving, making this his third straight 100-yard effort. Gates needed just three catches to pull in 121 yards and two scores. Two of those receptions went for 40-plus yards.

“I thought we did pretty well in all three phases tonight,” said Thomsen.

After forcing a three and out by the Cardinals, the Wildcats were determined to get points on the board. It took just two plays to put them in great field position as Gale found Gates for a 47-yard reception to set the Wildcats up at the Cardinals’ one-yard line. Daryl Richardson would punch it in from there, and the Wildcats were up 7-0.

Towards the end of the first quarter, Incarnate Word was trying to put something together. Eric Massoni found Andrew Mocio, who was then leveled by LB Suggs. Eric Edwards picked up the ball and rumbled into the end zone for another ACU defensive touchdown.

“I actually thought it was incomplete when I hit him,” said safety LB Suggs. “Then I saw Eric Edwards pick it up and score.”

With the Wildcats already leading 24-0, Mitchell Gale and ACU stepped back out on the field. But the drive did not go as planned as Gale threw his first interception of the season, thanks to a tipped pass by Taylor Gabriel.

The Wildcats would rebound to score 30 more points before the final buzzer of the game.

ACU has won by an average of 44.7 points per game against the teams they have played outside the top-10. This shows one thing about the Wildcats – they know how to beat the opponents they are supposed to beat. Too often last season and with many top tier teams in general, they tended to play down to their opponents. But the Wildcats have done no such thing, dominating every game they were supposed to.

Unfortunately for Gale, there is one thing he will take away from this game he won’t be happy with, an interception. But all a fan has to do is look at the numbers to understand that Gale, when is all said and done, could have one of the best single seasons in ACU history.

Gale is currently fourth in Division II in passing efficiency. This statistic measures a quarterback’s completion percentage, touchdowns and interceptions. All three of the quarterbacks ahead of Gale have attempted fewer passes, thrown for fewer yards, and thrown fewer touchdowns.

The 7-0 Wildcats will be back on the road again in Portales, N.M. this weekend for a showdown with Eastern New Mexico.