The Optimist
  • Home
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Features
  • Print Edition
    • The Pessimist
    • Special Projects
  • Police Log
  • Classifieds
You are here: Home / Sports / ‘Cats host Gyrenes for Homecoming

‘Cats host Gyrenes for Homecoming

October 9, 2014 by Collin Wieder

ACU football looks to bounce back this week in front of a loud homecoming crowd after losing a close home game to conference opponent Lamar last weekend.

The Wildcats will take on NAIA opponent the Ave Maria Gyrenes. ACU enters at 3-3 overall and 2-1 in Southland Conference play. The Gyrenes will go into Saturday with a 1-4 overall record and a 0-1 Sun Conference record.

Ave Maria’s only win this year came against Concordia (Alabama) by a score of 16-12. ACU beat Concordia in the 2013 season opener, 84-6.

“The best medication after a loss is to go out and win a game,” said Ken Collums, head coach. “We know we have enough fire power offensively and defensive lineman to compete with anybody.”

Offensively, the ‘Cats bring in the best statistical quarterback in the Southland with Parker McKenzie. McKenzie leads the Southland in passing yards (1,750), passing touchdowns (16) and completion percentage (67.2).

Senior receiver Demarcus Thompson leads the potent passing attack for the Wildcats. Thompson has a Southland Conference leading 33 receptions for 377 yards. Junior Cedric Gilbert is the homerun hitter for the offense with 15 receptions for 353 yards, which is good for 23.5 yards per catch. Gilbert also leads the Southland in touchdown catches with seven.

“I really didn’t expect to have this year that I am having,” Gilbert said. “I am just happy to be playing again and I am blessed to be at ACU.”

The ground attack for ACU running backs features junior Herschel Sims and freshman De’Andre Brown. Sims leads the running game in attempts (76), yards (409) and rushing touchdowns (three). Brown leads the team with a yards-per-carry average of 6.8. Brown has 47 carries for 321 yards and one touchdown on the year.

On the defensive side, ACU features one of the Southland’s best pass rushers, Nick Richardson. Richardson has put together an impressive senior year with 36 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss and five sacks. Senior safety Justin Stewart leads the ‘Cats in tackles with 44. Freshman linebacker Sam Denmark has led the team this year in passes defended with five and interceptions with two.

ACU also features one of the most versatile players in the country, junior wide receiver/returner/cornerback Jonathan Epps. Epps has three catches for 83 yards on offense, 12 punt returns for 197 yards on special teams and 10 tackles and a pass breakup on defense.

Filed Under: Sports Tagged With: Football, Homecoming

Other Sports:

  • Women’s golf drives for success despite young mid-major status

  • More than money: FBS games bring in revenue, impact program

  • Realignment shakes up the WAC puzzle

About Collin Wieder

You are here: Home / Sports / ‘Cats host Gyrenes for Homecoming

Other Sports:

  • Women’s golf drives for success despite young mid-major status

  • More than money: FBS games bring in revenue, impact program

  • Realignment shakes up the WAC puzzle

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

Retweet on Twitter The Optimist Retweeted
ashleyh1607 Ashley Henderson @ashleyh1607 ·
3 Jun

My second year at ACU was full of opportunities that grew me as an individual and a journalist.

In my first year as editor in chief of @acuoptimist, we published six print issues, filmed a 3-hour live election show, and revamped our newscast, all while producing news weekly.

Reply on Twitter 1929734328445178254 Retweet on Twitter 1929734328445178254 1 Like on Twitter 1929734328445178254 1 Twitter 1929734328445178254
Retweet on Twitter The Optimist Retweeted
optimistsports Optimist Sports @optimistsports ·
2 Jun

The Optimist reached out to ACU Athletics, who provided the following statement.

Reply on Twitter 1929676060947632336 Retweet on Twitter 1929676060947632336 1 Like on Twitter 1929676060947632336 1 Twitter 1929676060947632336

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

11 months ago

The Optimist

Video

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Optimist

2 years ago

The Optimist
"Ending my college education early was always the plan for me, but the things that I have been able to see, experience and examine about ACU’s community were not. I have found immense growth in ACU over the past three and a half years, but ACU still has a long road to climb if it wants to keep catering to students as the world changes around them." To read more of this article visit acuoptimist.com or click the link in our bio. #acu #abilenechristianuniversity #privatechristianuniversity #collegestudentopinion #acuopinion ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Videos

Optimist Newscast Feb. 28, 2024

Our top stories today include a recap of The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, the ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 21, 2024
  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 14, 2024
  • Optimist Newscast Jan. 24, 2024

Latest Photos

  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Policies
    • Advertising Policy
    • Letters to the Editor and Reader Comments
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Multimedia
    • Videos
    • Photo Galleries
  • Features
  • Advertise
    • Paid Advertisement
  • Police Log

© 2025 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved