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Gaines: Let’s get tough on offense: Loss prompts coach to focus on intensity

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By Joel Weckerly, Sports Editor The football team will focus on offensive toughness in practice this week, head coach Gary Gaines said. His statement came on the heels of a 30-12 road loss to Central Arkansas Thursday, a loss in which the Wildcats' defense played well, but their offense couldn't find its groove. "We weren't physical enough up ... [Read More…]

ACU falls to HSU in JV opener: Game was debut for ACU’s new program

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By Joel Weckerly, Sports Editor The ACU junior varsity football team fell to crosstown opponent Hardin-Simmons in the opening game of the Wildcats' season, as well as the first showcase of ACU's newly implemented JV program. The Wildcats fell 26-3 to the Cowboys at the Hardin-Simmons field Monday. "I told my guys before the game that they were ... [Read More…]

Wildcats fall in opener

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By Joel Weckerly, Sports Editor The battle of nationally-ranked teams ended in an ACU loss Thursday, as Central Arkansas continued its dominance over the Wildcats with a 30-12 victory in Conway, Ark. Penalties and turnovers were ACU's downfall; the Cats had three turnovers and seven penalties. The Wildcats played well defensively but didn't get ... [Read More…]

Ranked and loaded: Top 25 Wildcats bring speed, experience to table in 2003

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By Joel Weckerly, Sports Editor After the ACU football team's 2002 campaign, it didn't look like the Wildcats could come back with any more surprises. After all, they went from conference cellar dweller the year before to a team that finished 6-4 overall and 5-1 in the Lone Star Conference South-tying Texas A&M-Kingsville for a share of the LSC ... [Read More…]

Cats open at Central Arkansas for third straight season: No. 23 Wildcats vs. No. 19 Bears could be matchup to watch

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By Joel Weckerly, Sports Editor Over the past couple years, the ACU football team has prided itself in starting off its schedule against a series of tough teams. This season is no different. The Wildcats open their schedule Thursday against Central Arkansas-a team they've lost to the past two years-in Conway, Ark. The Bears, who finished 8-3 last ... [Read More…]

Star quarterback turns star father: Freeman’s newborn Averie gives new life perspective

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By Joel Weckerly, Sports Editor "Down! Set! Hike!" With the highly touted ACU football team set to kick off its season soon, those three words would appear to be the most important on star quarterback Colby Freeman's mind. But this preseason, the senior received a gift far more precious than his golden arm or his team's Top 25 ranking, and three ... [Read More…]

McCaleb, Mosley splitting athletic duties: Both act as athletic directors in lieu of Hays’ departure

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By Joel Weckerly, Sports Editor When Shanon Hays announced his resignation as ACU's director of athletics to coach basketball at Midland College last April, there was the initial surprise from Vice President Gary McCaleb. After all, McCaleb, who oversaw school athletics, had helped bring in the 35-year-old Hays less than a year before. "I was ... [Read More…]

ACU’s preseason practices kick off with new look: NCAA changes up practice schedules; Gaines, team approve

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By Joel Weckerly, Sports Editor Over 90 ACU football players reported to preseason camp practice on Aug. 11 with a slightly different schedule. In an attempt to curb the sometimes disastrous effects of heat-related illnesses that have received much intention in recent years, the NCAA mandated that, beginning this summer, Division I and II ... [Read More…]

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