The Wildcats rolled to a 52-23 victory over the Lions from the University of North Alabama Saturday afternoon. 

A key factor in the win was how well the team shared the ball, Head Coach Keith Patterson said. 

“We don’t have the one guy that you say, ‘We’ve got to stop that guy,’” Patterson said. “We spread the ball around to tight ends. We play three running backs consistently. We play multiple wide receivers. And for the first time, I think we’re just now starting to get them all where they’re all healthy at the same time.”

With 10 different receivers and eight different rushers, Patterson’s words proved true. Stone Earle, redshirt senior quarterback from Fort Worth, threw four touchdown passes to three different receivers, and the team totaled three rushing touchdowns from three different athletes. 

The offensive scheme was full of explosive plays against UNA. Javon Gipson, redshirt senior from Richmond, caught a touchdown pass for 39 yards, and Jordon Vaughn, redshirt senior from Manvel, ran 75 yards down the field for a touchdown in the third quarter.

However, the offense was not the sole bright spot for the Wildcats on Saturday. The defense recorded four fumble recoveries, three of which were forced. 

Colt Cooper, redshirt senior defensive lineman from Quinlan, recovered two fumbles for the Wildcat defense. 

“I love that style of football,” Patterson said. “I think we’re starting to get an identity. We have to force turnovers. So, we really didn’t change. We just kind of shifted gears on our style of defense that we played this week.”

The team will travel to the University of West Georgia on Saturday for its first road conference game of the season.