With their second consecutive FCS playoff berth, the Wildcat football team is equipped, motivated and ready to make a run at the championship. 

After making the playoffs in 2024, the Wildcats won their first-round matchup against the University of Northern Arizona by a score of 24-0 before losing to the eventual FCS Champion North Dakota State University. 

This season, they have proven they can hang with the biggest FCS teams. They knocked off No. 2 Tarleton State University, serving as the Texans’ only loss this season. 

They also beat Stephen F. Austin 28-20 in week two of the season. The Wildcats dominated on defense, forcing an interception and two fumbles, one of which was recovered in the end zone for a Wildcat touchdown. The Lumberjacks went on to win the Southland Conference, earning a first-round bye and the seventh overall seed. 

The Wildcats won several big games, including four consecutive to end the season and secure the United Athletic Conference Championship. The Wildcats ended the season 7-1 in conference play and 8-4 overall. 

However, the team started the season 2-3, with two blowout losses to the University of Tulsa and TCU. The team also suffered its first FCS loss to the University of Incarnate Word by a score of 38-7. The Cardinals ended the year 5-7 and in seventh place in the Southland Conference. 

Despite the sub-.500 start to the year, the Wildcats’ defense proved it could make plays when it mattered. Whether it was a forced fumble late to secure a win or an interception early to set the tone, the purple and white defense dominated their opponents throughout the season. 

The “defense wins championships” adage fits the Wildcats’ narrative perfectly. Their defensive-minded head coach, Keith Patterson, combined with an experienced and athletic defense, has combined to be one of the best units in FCS football. The Wildcat defense ended the season with 23 turnovers forced and a +9 turnover differential. 

Additionally, the Wildcats are equipped to make a run in the playoffs. They have 32 seniors, providing experience and an added motivation to make their final playing days count. 

Will Shaffer, senior linebacker from Tempe, Arizona, said that the seniors on the team are “fighting for six more” every day now that they are in the playoffs. He also said that he has felt the entire team’s energy pick up because they want to play for their seniors. 

The team is also equipped with playoff experience after going 1-1 in the 2024 FCS Playoffs. Coach Patterson said that as he looks at this year’s team compared to last year, he thinks the team is more motivated to go deeper into the playoffs, while last year’s team “was just happy to be there.”

Finally, the team is ready for the playoff run. Patterson said after the win versus Eastern Kentucky University on Nov. 15 that the team is “getting fresh” as Jordan Vaughn, senior running back from Manvel, returned from a shoulder injury and provided a spark on the ground, lifting the Wildcats to a one-score win over the Colonels. 

The team is also ready because of their ability to overcome obstacles and face adversity throughout the season. Close victories over TSU, EKU and SFA showed the team what it takes to get a win in the fourth quarter. The team’s loss to Southern Utah University on Oct. 18 showed weakness and gave the Wildcats a “gutwrenching loss” to sit with over the open week, according to Patterson. 

The Wildcats are equipped with one of the best defenses at the FCS level. It has forced turnovers when it matters and has made an impact on every game. The Wildcats are motivated to make a playoff run. Last season, they won a game and had not looked further than that. This season, they want it all. Finally, the Wildcats are ready for a playoff run. They have their team healthy and experienced with a loaded senior class and several narrow victories under their belt.

The Wildcats furthered their playoff push on Saturday with a 38-20 victory over Lamar University, moving one step closer to an FCS Championship title. The team’s next test will come in Nacogdoches in a rematch with SFA. The game is set for a 1 p.m. kickoff and will be streamed on ESPN+.