By Daniel Johnson, Sports Editor
The ACU football team’s destiny in the NCAA Division II playoffs is out of their hands; The Southwest regional committee will make that decision.
“We’ve got to wait,” linebacker Cody Stutts said. “And hope and pray that we get in.”
ACU failed to secure the Lone Star Conference championship and a playoff spot after losing to Midwestern state 46-30 Saturday. The Wildcats, who were ranked No. 5 in the Southwest region, will find out Sunday if they make the top six in regional rankings to make the playoffs.
If the Wildcats do remain into the top six, they will be the first team in ACU history to make an appearance in the NCAA Division II playoffs.
The Midwestern Mustangs, who were ranked No. 7 in region before the win, moved to 4-2 in conference play and strengthened their chances of making the playoffs.
Meanwhile, ACU dropped their second straight home game and their playoff chances will depend on their 8-2 overall record and other teams in the Southwest region.
“I think we should be in,” said head coach Chris Thomsen. “I don’t care what happened today.”
The Wildcats biggest failures against Midwestern was converting on third down conversions and finding an answer to Midwestern’s passing attack. ACU, who lead the league in third down efficiency prior to the loss, was 3-15 against the Mustangs.
The Mustangs stamped their fourth straight win and scored more than any other team has this season against the Wildcats.
Midwestern quarterback Daniel Polk threw for four touchdowns and 205 yards, while running back Ulysses Odoms led the Mustangs in rushing with 155 yards and two touchdowns of his own.
“They came out and played a great game,” said cornerback Corey Jordan. “They wanted it.”
ACU quarterback Billy Malone was 25-47 and threw for 263 yards and three touchdowns in the loss. Two of those touchdowns were to wide receiver Jerale Badon, who had eight catches for 117 yards.
Wide receiver Chris Morris passed the century mark as well with 106 yards on eight catches. Morris also had the Wildcats’ longest reception of 32 yards.
Midwestern’s 46-point day began with a pair of unanswered first quarter touchdowns. Place kicker Matt Adams 49-yard second quarter field goal were the Wildcats’ first points on the scoreboard.
After conceding another touchdown, ACU came within 10 points of the Mustangs after a last second two-yard catch by wide receiver John Brock pulled in the Wildcats first touchdown and ended the half with Midwestern on top at 20-10.
The Wildcat offensive momentum was soon trumped by two more Midwestern passing touchdowns, a 21-yarder and a 45-yarder, in their first two drives of the third quarter.
ACU tried to shorten the Midwestern lead with Badon’s first touchdown, a 26-yard grab, but the Mustang passing attack proved too much for the ACU defense.
The Wildcats and Mustangs went on to score two more touchdowns apiece in the fourth quarter, ending the game 46-30.
The loss marked the end of the Wildcats’ regular season.
