The Wildcats will play their last home game of the season tomorrow when they take on the 15th ranked West Alabama Tigers at noon at Shotwell Stadium.
“Our guys know that West Alabama is a good team,” head coach Ken Collums said. “They are super talented, they are probably relative to West Texas A&M.”
ACU is coming off of a nail-biter in Commerce, where the ‘Cats overcame a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter to sneak back to Abilene with a conference victory.
The Tigers smacked around conference rival Delta State last week 37-7 to notch their seventh win of the season.
West Alabama features a dynamic rushing attack that has four players who have rushed more than 200 yards.
“On offense they’ll run the ball,” Collums said. “They are very similar to Midwestern in that they are going to lean on you and grind you. They do throw the ball about 20 times a game, so a little more than strictly running teams, but we’ll be ready.”
The Tigers have been a part of several blowouts so far this season, and their average margin of victory has been three touchdowns. However, ACU has had a flair for the dramatic all year, taking part in six games that have been decided by seven points or fewer.
Something will have to give tomorrow when the two teams face off in a game where turnovers will play a key role.
The Tigers have 17 interceptions this season. Otha Foster and Malcolm Bulter have each registered five picks, and UWA has several players that can take the ball away.
The ‘Cats are coming off of a game in Commerce that featured two fourth quarter interceptions, including a game winning interception by Justin Stewart that helped seal a Wildcat win. Mike Wallace has been a part of six turnovers this season, and may have to create a turnover to help put the ‘Cats over the edge.
“I like running with the receivers and getting to see if they are going to break down, in or out,” Stewart said. “It’s nice when we get in the red zone to be able to get my hands on them and control him.”
Although the game is a non-conference game, the stakes will be high for both the ‘Cats, who will be looking to get a signature win, and the Tigers, who could be playing for their post season lives.
