With just one game to go in the 2025 regular season, the Wildcats’ path to the FCS playoffs is simple: win and they’re in. 

In a season with a new offensive coordinator and an almost entirely new offensive personnel, the Wildcats have put themselves in the driver’s seat. The team’s only loss in United Athletic Conference play came to Southern Utah University on Oct. 18. Since that game, the Wildcats have not lost, while knocking off the No. 2 team in FCS football on Nov. 1. 

The final regular-season test will come on the road against the University of Central Arkansas. The Bears enter 3-8 and 2-5 in conference play. While averaging just under 25 points per game, the Bears’ leading rusher, sophomore running back Landen Chambers, has rushed for over 1246 yards and 10 touchdowns. 

“He’s a big, physical back,” Will Shaffer said. “He runs hard. We’ve got to shut down his engine quickly.” 

Shaffer, senior linebacker from Tempe, Arizona, has registered 90 total tackles over his 11 games this season after being named the preseason UAC Defensive Player of the Year.

Last week, the Wildcats were victorious over Eastern Kentucky University, fighting through windy road conditions and getting the win after a late fumble forced by Kourtlin Rausaw, senior defensive lineman from Wylie, was recovered by Kaghen Roach, senior defensive lineman from Celina. 

“As long as we can keep doing that, we’re going to be hard to beat,” Rausaw said. 

The offense capitalized on a short field, scoring a touchdown on just a five-play, 20-yard drive. 

Ahead of the final regular season game, Head Coach Keith Patterson has seen his team focused and motivated while sticking to the routine and getting fresh. 

“There’s just an excitement,” Patterson said. “They’re ready to go play.”

The team getting healthy late in the season could be a huge advantage for the Cats. Jordon Vaughn, senior running back from Manvel, has battled an injury over the last month but had an impact late in the victory versus EKU. 

“We’re just trying to bring him back and make sure he’s 100%,” Patterson said. “I think he is.” 

Patterson also said, “It’s all hands on deck” this week with the rushing attack. The Wildcat offense currently has four rushers with over 60 carries. Rovaughn Banks Jr., redshirt junior running back from Tulsa, Oklahoma, leads the team with 557 yards on 115 carries. 

During the team’s three-game winning streak, the Wildcats have scored 26 points per game while giving up just 16. Complementary football has allowed the team to get hot while being successful in various ways. 

“We’re trending up,” Shaffer said. “We’re firing on all cylinders.” 

Saturday will be UCA’s Senior Day, adding to the atmosphere and motivation of the team playing in their final game of the season. 

“We can’t worry about the environment,” Patterson said. “We have to focus on the things that it takes to win a football game.” 

Additionally, Rausaw feels the team’s energy is exactly where they want it to be. 

“I feel like the energy is up right now,” Rausaw said. “Whose energy wouldn’t be up when they’re playing for a championship?” 

For Rausaw, Shaffer, and several other Wildcats, this will be the final regular-season game of their collegiate careers. 

Rausaw said they’re “fighting for our football lives.” He also thinks that intensity and the team’s continued ability to battle will keep them alive this season. 

Shaffer felt similarly about the opportunity to play one last regular-season game. 

“I’m fighting for six more days with these guys,” Shaffer said. “Nothing’s guaranteed after Saturday. We know what we have to do.”

In the final three weeks of conference play since the team joined the UAC, the Wildcats are 6-2. They’ll look to make that 7-2 on Saturday. The game is set for a 4 p.m. kickoff in Conway, Arkansas.