Optimist
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Features
    • Book Review
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Podcasts
    • Optimist Overtime
    • Top of the Key
  • Police Log
  • Print Edition
  • Projects
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
You are here: Home / Sports / Columnists / Loss to ‘Dogs deeper than win-loss column

Loss to ‘Dogs deeper than win-loss column

September 9, 2015 by Collin Wieder

ACU football fans got their first glimpse of the 2015 squad last week in Fresno, California as the ‘Cats dropped a rough opener to the Bulldogs, 34-13.

The tough thing to takeaway is that first and foremost, Fresno State just had more talent than ACU. The opener should be viewed as a barometer of how far the team has come in the offseason, not necessarily what is in the win-loss column. It is great to have high expectations, but the Bulldogs have yet to miss a bowl game under Fresno State coach Tim DeRuyter. This wasn’t a team like Troy or Georgia State where they were similar skill level to the ‘Cats. Everyone should understand this before we get into the game’s analyzation.

The Good

Defensively, there was a lot to be excited about, especially from the secondary. The Wildcats gave up only 217 yards passing and a completion percentage of 49 percent. The secondary also intercepted two passes and looked strong despite the loss of starting corners Keith Barnett (ACL tear) and Terry Ausborne (transfer). Freshmen played a large role in the game showing a lot of positive signs of the future. Redshirt freshman Cedric Dale tied for the team lead in tackles with eight and freshman safety Junior Henderson recorded his first career interception.

The linebacking corp looked impressive with a wealth of experienced young players. Returning starting linebacker sophomore Sam Denmark recorded eight tackles, tied for the team lead. Sophomore linebacker Bryson Gates flashed some great speed into the backfield by recording a team-high two tackles for loss.

On offense, the team played an efficient, turnover free first half keeping them in the game. Junior quarterback Parker McKenzie took what the defense gave him and went 10-for-14 for 96 yards in the first half. Redshirt freshman quarterback Dallas Sealey showed some spark on offense, which included his first career touchdown pass to fellow redshirt freshman Byron Proctor. Senior wide receiver Jonathan Epps doubled his catches from last year snagging eight passes for 55 yards.

The Bad

The ‘Cats defense struggled mightily against the run as Bulldog senior Marteze Waller slammed the ‘Cats for 154 yards on a 7.0 yards per carry average. However, he will probably be the toughest running back the ACU defense will play all season.

The defensive backs deserve a lot of praise for their performance, but big plays in the passing game proved to be a weakness of the defense. Fresno State quarterback Zack Greenlee’s three touchdown passes were 25-yards or more. That may reflect poorly on the secondary, but it also reflects poorly on defensive pressure. Greenlee’s first touchdown pass was caused by a missed sack. The Dogs’ quarterbacks sat pressure free in the pocket as the defensive line didn’t record a single sack.

Parker McKenzie’s second half could not have been more polar opposite from the first. He completed just 8-of-15 passes for 72 yards and two interceptions. The interceptions were the most glaring mistakes as both were thrown straight to the defense. The pressure on McKenzie didn’t help either as he and Sealey were sacked a combined five times.

The backfield can’t really be seen as negative because they never really got going. Similar to Georgia State in 2014, the running game had to take a backseat to keep up with a high-flying offense.

Houston Baptist is the perfect team for the ‘Cats to return home against. They can get back on track and prepare for some of their bigger conference games. ACU outscored HBU 128-26 over the last two seasons.

Filed Under: Columnists, Sports Tagged With: Football

Other Sports:

  • Baseball drops falls short in regular season ending series in Huntsville

  • Wildcats season closes after losses to Utah Valley and Seattle

  • Wildcats win final weekend series against SFA, gains 4th seed in WAC tournament

About Collin Wieder

You are here: Home / Sports / Columnists / Loss to ‘Dogs deeper than win-loss column

Other Sports:

  • Baseball drops falls short in regular season ending series in Huntsville

  • Wildcats season closes after losses to Utah Valley and Seattle

  • Wildcats win final weekend series against SFA, gains 4th seed in WAC tournament

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimistThe Optimist@acuoptimist·
4 May

"Maybe we just don’t care enough. But if we do start caring, and if we become the loudest fans in the WAC, let’s stick to supportive cheering." Read more from Guest Columnist Londyn Gray:
https://acuoptimist.com/2022/04/not-so-friendly-competition/

Reply on Twitter 1521918832738144257Retweet on Twitter 15219188327381442571Like on Twitter 15219188327381442578Twitter 1521918832738144257
acuoptimistThe Optimist@acuoptimist·
3 May

Royce Clough and Jael Morel have been named as Mr. and Miss ACU for the class of 2022, a traditional honor voted on by the student body and awarded to two members of each graduating class.

Reply on Twitter 1521607087553458178Retweet on Twitter 1521607087553458178Like on Twitter 152160708755345817819Twitter 1521607087553458178

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

2 months ago

The Optimist
"Maybe we just don’t care enough. But if we do start caring, and if we become the loudest fans in the WAC, let’s stick to supportive cheering." Read more from Guest Columnist Londyn Gray: ... See MoreSee Less

Not-so-friendly competition - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

BY: LONDYN GRAY “Number 18, you look like you don’t shower!” I chuckled and shrugged it off. “Londyn!” They had looked up the roster. “Do you even brush your teeth?” I laughed again, rol...
View on Facebook
· Share

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

The Optimist

2 months ago

The Optimist
Cullen Auditorium is expected to be handed over to the university in June 2022, alongside a name change that coupled with the renovation will create new future for the Cornerstone class, Chapel and the Department of Theatre. ... See MoreSee Less

Cullen Auditorium still set for a name change alongside renovations - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

Cullen Auditorium is expected to be handed over to the university in June 2022, alongside a name change that coupled with the renovation will create new future for the Cornerstone class, Chapel and th...
View on Facebook
· Share

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

Videos

Women’s tournament run ended by first-round exit against UTRGV

The Wildcats’ Western Athletic Conference tournament run and season came to a ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 22. 2022
  • Optimist Newscast 2.16.2022
  • Optimist Newscast 2.9.2022

Latest Photos

  • Home
  • Weekly Ads
  • Classifieds

© 2022 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved

Posting....