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 / Homecoming continues tough gauntlet for football

Homecoming continues tough gauntlet for football

October 16, 2015 by Collin Wieder

WATCH | LISTEN | LIVE STATS | LAST GAME’S HIGHLIGHTS

ACU football (2-3 overall, 2-2 conference) has endured maybe the roughest stretch of Southland football since its return to the conference in 2014.

The Wildcats have been outscored 86-42 over the last two weeks, including an embarrassing defensive effort against Lamar. The ‘Cats defense gave up a single game Southland Conference rushing record (347) to Lamar running back Kade Harrington. They will look to rectify the tough stretch against FCS number 11 Sam Houston State (3-2 overall, 3-1 conference).

Head coach Ken Collums said the past two road trips have not done well against two good teams and they need to play well to drop a ranked team in Sam Houston.

“We’ve taken two long road trips and haven’t done a great job on either one of them,” Collums said. “When you watch them (Sam) play it doesn’t take long to realize they are a good,” Collums said. “They are efficient on offense and it doesn’t matter who they play.”

ACU will need to show up defensively as Sam Houston State brings in the Southland’s best scoring offense (49.4) and yardage leader (590). The Bearkats use a two quarterback system that has been prolific this season.

Last year’s starter junior Jared Johnson and transfer Jeremiah Briscoe have combined to throw for a conference leading 1,706 yards and TD-to-INT ratio of 12:3. The run game isn’t far behind averaging 248.8 yards per game on the ground, good enough for 2nd in the Southland.

The defense has been the Wildcats’ achilles heel for five weeks. The run defense has given up 1,395 yards at a 6.3 yards per carry clip in just five games. Sophomore linebacker Sam Denmark and freshman cornerback Jabari Butler have been bright spots on the struggling unit. Denmark leads the conference in tackles with 70 and Butler leads the team with three interceptions.

The Wildcat offense needs to improve on starting fast as they have scored just seven points over the last two weeks in the first half. In fact, the ‘Cats managed just 65 yards at halftime of last week’s game. Junior quarterback Parker McKenzie looks to have fixed a lot of his early season woes after throwing for over 300 yards, three touchdowns and one interception last week.

ACU’s ground game has a lot of improving to do after rushing 29 times last week for just 37 yards. Sophomore De’Andre Brown and senior Herschel Sims have the ability to get the Wildcat rushing attack back on track. The two have combined for 456 yards and eight touchdowns on the season.

The receiving corp still needs a lot more consistency as drops plagued last week’s first half and second half comeback attempt. However, seniors Cedric Gilbert and Jonathan Epps have continued to make big plays.

Gilbert leads the team in catches (24), yards (310) and touchdowns (6). Epps follows closely behind Gilbert with 23 catches, 295 yards and three touchdowns of his own.

Epps said that every week from here on in is going to be competitive so they have to show up.

“We have Sam Houston coming, McNeese who is 5-0 right now and Southeastern has one of the top defenses in the league so we have to keep getting better,” Epps said.

The game Kickoffs at 2:30 p.m. at Shotwell Stadium and will be broadcast on the American Sports Network.

Filed Under: 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 / Homecoming continues tough gauntlet for 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

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....