The ACU football team took the field for the first time as a Div. I football team and did not disappoint, beating the Concordia Hornets 84-6.
Despite barely playing into the third quarter, senior John David Baker shattered the single game ACU passing touchdowns record with seven.
“It was fun. Honestly, we were clicking offensively,” Baker said. “It was just fun being out with the guys running around making plays. That’s the best way I can describe it.”
Baker also threw for 322 yards and led ACU to 61 first half points. Meanwhile, senior wide receiver Darian Hogg grabbed 10 balls for 208 yards and a couple of touchdowns.
ACU students yell for free giveaways during the first home game of the season in Shotwell Stadium. (Optimist photo by Mandy Lambright)
“Darian is one of my best friends,” Baker said. “We came in together in 2009 so there has always been a connection there. It was nice to get out there in a game situation and I wasn’t necessarily looking his way but it turned out that way.”
In the first quarter, 88 of ACU’s 612 total yards came on a deep ball from Baker to Hogg complete with Hogg stiff-arming a receiver on his way to the end zone.
On the ground, senior Charcandrick West led the way with 125 yards on only 12 carries. West had 40 yards on the opening drive alone, and did not play at all in the second half.
“Our game plan was to make it simple at first because we didn’t know what they were going to show us,” Baker said. “Charcandrick got off to a good start. He was running the ball very well and that opened up some things in the passing game.”
Darrell Cantu-Harkless finished with 129 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns. Jeremiah Williams also ran for a touchdown, and West had a score on the ground as well.
Defensively, the Wildcats dominated for the entire game, forcing five interceptions and registering three sacks.
“It was funny because coming into the game we didn’t really know what to expect,” defensive end Kolby Rowe said. “We were able to put some pressure on them and force some bad throws. Really what helped us out was the turnovers we were able to force.”
The biggest defensive play of the game came when Tyler Chapa intercepted a ball and ran 30 yards into the end zone for a defensive score.
Despite their best efforts, the Hornets were not able to run the ball effectively either. The ACU front seven flew to the football and delivered plenty of hard hits to the opposition.
“It was great to be able to release and not worry about hitting the quarterback,” Rowe said. “Coach even said the quarterback is live today.”
Angel Lopez led the team in tackles with six. Thor Woerner, Dezmond Powers, Vincent Cantu-Harkless and Blake Rudd also intercepted a pass.
The Wildcats will look to remain unbeaten when they play McMurry University next Saturday at 6 p.m. in Shotwell Stadium.
Willie the Wildcat proudly displays his team spirit in ACU's season opener against Concordia College in Shotwell Stadium. (Optimist photo by Mandy Lambright)
