ACU will return home to face the Incarnate Word Cardinals and try to bounce back from their close loss to SFA the previous week.
UIW has a 1-2 overall record this season, however, the two losses can be seen as deceiving. The Cardinals faced a now 2-1 FBS New Mexico team in Albuquerque and lost 62-30 for their first game of the season.
In their second game, they faced a red-hot 4-0 North Texas team that defeated Arkansas two weeks ago. UIW lost their matchup with the Mean Green 58-16.
The Cardinals began conference play with SFA two weeks ago, however, and were able to get their first win. The score was a convincing margin of 31-7.
ACU will see a well-rested UIW squad as they had a bye week during the Wildcats game with SFA.
This season has begun as a rollercoaster for the Wildcats. The team took a loss to Baylor in its opening game, then proceeded with two wins in a row over Angelo State and Houston Baptist. Heading into the game against the Lumberjacks, ACU was favored to win but lost in a 24-21 heartbreaker.
Head Coach Adam Dorrel said the game will be challenging, but the team is ready to compete at home.
“They’ve had an extra week to prepare for us and that can always be difficult,” Dorrel said, “But we’re at home, we’re excited to get back home and we’re excited to go out and play football with a lot of passion.”
UIW has rushed for 653 yards this season thanks to senior running back Ra’Quanne Dickens who’s added 469 to that total. Dickens headlined his 110-yard performance against New Mexico with a 90-yard touchdown, giving him the longest rushing play in Cardinal history. He also broke off a 79-yard touchdown run against SFA to cap a 220-yard game.
The Cardinals have also added 662 passing yards, with freshman quarterback Jon Copeland accounting for 660, giving them a total 1,315 on the year.
For ACU, the team has averaged 31.8 points per game compared to its opponent’s 29. Sophomore quarterback Luke Anthony and junior transfer running back Billy McCrary have played a big role in scoring so far.
McCrary has four rushing touchdowns and a receiving touchdown this season. He’s found the end zone twice two weeks in a row now after the HBU and SFA game.
Anthony has eight touchdown passes and QB sneaked another one against Angelo State. He also passed the 1,000-yard passing mark this past week at SFA.
The team together has rushed for 756 yards and passed for 1,158 giving them 1,914 so far this year.
ACU will look to break .500 overall and in conference (2-2, 1-1), while the Cardinals are going for a second straight Southland win (1-2, 1-0).
Kickoff is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. and coverage can be viewed on ESPN+ or heard on 98.1 FM.
