The Wildcats are moving on to the second round of the FCS playoffs after a 38-20 victory over Lamar University on Saturday.
The victory took place at Wildcat Stadium for the second consecutive season, after the Wildcats defeated the University of Northern Arizona in Round One of the 2024 playoffs.
Stone Earle, senior quarterback from Fort Worth, was responsible for four touchdowns, including two to Javon Gipson, senior wide receiver from Richmond. Gipson ended the day with nine catches for 164 yards and two touchdowns for his first multi-touchdown game in his career and his third consecutive game with over 100 receiving yards.
“I want to give all the credit to the guys on the offense,” Gipson said. “We’re just all doing our jobs and I’m doing my part.”
The Wildcats’ offense also got a significant contribution from Jordon Vaughn, senior running back from Manvel, who rushed 15 times for 96 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, the Wildcats were able to force a fumble early, leading to a field goal from Brandon Perez, junior kicker from Crandall. Noah Mangham, junior defensive back from Frisco, forced and recovered the fumble. Mangham rushed the quarterback off the edge on a blitz, hitting him from his blindside and jarring the ball loose.
“That was a beautiful play,” Chris Wright said. “He came around the edge and annihilated the guy to force the fumble.”
Wright, senior linebacker from Aledo, recorded four tackles and a sack in the win. The Wildcat defense finished the game with three sacks and four tackles for loss.
The Cardinals scored 13 of their 20 points in the second half after scoring seven points in the 2nd quarter and no points in the first. The Wildcats scored on their opening drive after LU won the toss and deferred to the 2nd half. It was the first time the Wildcats had scored on their opening drive since week five against the University of the Incarnate Word.
As the Wildcats move on to the second round, they’ll take on the Stephen F. Austin University Lumberjacks, who they beat 28-20 in the second game of the season. This time the game will be played in Nacogdoches and will give the Wildcats an opportunity to advance further in the playoffs than a year ago.
“The difference this year is there has been an expectation,” Head Coach Keith Patterson said. “This round last year we were just so excited to be here. It’s just been different. Our preparation has been different throughout the week and there’s just a belief.”
The Lumberjacks have won 10 consecutive games since losing to the Wildcats in Abilene and won the Southland Conference, earning a first round bye. The round two game is set for a 1 p.m. kick off on Saturday and will be streamed on ESPN+ and the ACU Sports Network.
