Ten seconds are left on the clock. The Wildcats are in their first game of the season in Fresno, California. Redshirt freshman quarterback Dallas Sealey sets up the offense and calls out the play.

The clock hits two seconds and Sealey takes the snap. He steps up and then rolls out to the right. He sees freshman wide receiver Byron Proctor Jr. in the back of the end zone wide open. He releases the ball and hits his man for the ACU touchdown.

The Sealey-Proctor touchdown was the only passing score the Wildcats could muster against the Bulldogs. What’s more significant is that for Sealey and Proctor, it was their first games as Wildcats.

When asked about what was running through his head during the play, Proctor had a simple answer.

“Finish strong, coach always talks about finishing strong, so I just wanted to do everything in my ability and just ran the route,” Proctor said.

Sealey takes warm up tosses during the Wildcats preseason workouts (photo via Abilene Reporter News)

The play was designed to get Proctor the ball, so as soon as Sealey released the pass, the only thought running through Proctor’s mind was being sure to make the catch. After the play, they both referred to the moment as overwhelming and surreal.

Sealey, the backup quarterback, had a solid outing in his debut. He completed 12 of 17 passes while accumulating 45 passing yards and a touchdown. Proctor had the second-most receptions for ACU in the game, tallying four catches for 28 yards.

With both athletes playing in their first game as Wildcats, most may not recognize the names of Sealey and Proctor. But with the freshmen duo hooking up with efficiency, that could change.

Sealey, a native of Lawton, Oklahoma, was named after the Dallas Cowboys NFL team, due to his parents being lifelong fans. Naturally, football has been a part of his life since a very young age, starting off playing flag football at his local YMCA.

Proctor is from San Antonio, Texas. His father had a stint playing college football, and also refers to football in Texas as a religion. It’s a mindset that was emphasized in the Proctor house among all his siblings.

“I have two younger brothers that look up to me and I just want to leave some foot steps for them, so that they can make bigger foot steps for themselves,” Proctor said. “Trying to set the bar for high for them with their goals that they shoot for in life.”

Since coming to ACU, several things have had an impact on him. One for sure has been the atmosphere. Proctor said another has been how head coach Ken Collums and the coaches emphasize staying humble, doing more than whats expected, and being a good person to everyone.

“This is a real christian school, they put the Bible in front of you,” Proctor said. “This place fits me perfectly.”

Sealey drew attention to the coaches and had high praise for them and their genuine care of the players, their lives and problems they have outside of football.

“They want to help you, they are almost like a second father in they way they want to take care of you,” Sealey said.