After a season that included an 11-1 record, a Lone Star Conference championship and a ranking that topped out at No. 2 in the country, the ACU football program has plenty to be proud of. Two players who helped the Wildcats this season have been selected to play in post-season bowl games that highlight the nation’s best on the gridiron.
Offensive lineman Trevis Turner was chosen to participate in the 10th annual Cactus Bowl in Kingsville, which took place in early January, as well as the fourth annual NFLPA all-star game in San Antonio on Feb. 5, which will boast many Division I athletes among others.
The Cactus Bowl selects 88 Division II seniors from around the country. The Cactus Bowl website says the game “brings together the finest football athletes from the 150 plus universities that comprise NCAA Division II” at Javelina Stadium.
Turner was among those 88 selected and let the selection committee know they made a great choice in selecting him with his performance in the game. He started the game at offensive tackle and helped his offense rack up 464 yards of offense en route to winning 28-6.
Turner’s efforts helped him earn the Jim Langer Offensive Lineman of the Game award, given to the game’s top offensive lineman.
“It was a great honor to be selected for that award. There are some very talented people in the game, and being selected leaves me feeling very humbled and honored,” Turner said.
His play at the Cactus Bowl is an extension of his stellar season and career in the purple and white. As a first team All-American, Gene Upshaw Award finalist and first team all-region pick, Turner has left a lasting stamp on the ACU football program.
“Football has been a blessing in my life for the past 10 years, and I’m so thankful for the opportunities it has presented me with and hopefully will continue to,” he said.
Wide receiver Edmund Gates was invited to play in the Under Armour Senior Bowl, the most prestigious pre-draft bowl in the country on January 29 in Mobile, Ala. Gates will be the first player to play in the game from ACU since Johnny Perkins in 1977.
He is one of three Division II standouts to be selected to play in the game and is relishing this opportunity.
“It’s a blessing to be here today among the best college football players in the country. This is a great experience for me, and I’m looking forward to playing in the game and learn from the best,” Gates said.
Gates will play for the South team, which is under the direction of Buffalo Bills head coach Chan Gailey and his staff, something that Gates is taking full advantage of.
“It’s great having the chance to learn from these NFL coaches. I’m definitely taking everything they say to heart and am soaking it all in,” said Gates.
The senior has lots to soak in following a spectacular collegiate career. He leaves Abilene Christian ranked second in career receiving yards (2,885), third in receptions (158), tied for first in touchdown catches (27) and fourth in scoring (194 points).
