The Optimist
You are here: Home / Football

Tackling his own past: Defensive standout Cody Stutts knows the meaning of hard work. Thanks to his perseverance, Stutts is overcoming his past and doing things no one is his family has ever done.

by

By Daniel Johnson, Sports Editor Junior linebacker Cody Stutts leads ACU's defense in tackles, had been named Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Week and is a key part of the nationally ranked football team. But before he was any of those things, he was a scared high school sophomore in Mesquite with no family and no place to call ... [Read More…]

5-0 Wildcats coming home to Rams: The Wildcat football team will take on conference rival Angelo State in its Homecoming game Saturday. The Wildcats are 5-0 for the first time since 1969.

by

By Daniel Johnson, Sports Editor The nationally ranked ACU football team already has more wins in its first half of the season than they did during its entire 2005 season. But head coach Chris Thomsen is not ready to call this season a success just yet. "We will take the same approach we always have," Thomsen said. "Each week, we focus on what we ... [Read More…]

Offensive attack anchors win: The ACU football team’s 25-point victory Saturday was led by the offensive performance of quarterback Billy Malone.

by

By Daniel Johnson, Sports Editor ACU leads the Lone Star Conference in total defense, sacks and forced fumbles. But in the Wildcats' game against Northeastern Oklahoma State, it was their offense that took center stage, posting 612 total yards and six touchdowns in ACU's 45-20 win. "We've been waiting on a game like that; it was just a matter of ... [Read More…]

No. 1 defense tackles next challenge: The nationally ranked ACU football team has the best defense in the LSC and will face one of the better passing offenses in the conference Saturday.

by

By Daniel Johnson, Sports Editor The ACU football team is No. 23 in the nation and on top of the Lone Star Conference defensive rankings after dominating one of the league's best rushing offenses. But if the Wildcats want to be 5-0 for the first time since 1969, they must find a way to stop the LSC's best receiver, Northeastern Oklahoma State's ... [Read More…]

ACU posts second straight shutout: ACU’s defense shut down the leading rusher in the LSC to extend the team’s record to 4-0 and pitch a second straight shutout for the first time since 1976.

by

By Daniel Johnson, Sports Editor Before playing the Wildcats, Eastern New Mexico quarterback Michael Benton led the LSC in rushing with 162.7 yards-per-game and 7.1 yards-per-carry. Against ACU, he rushed for -4 yards. The No. 23 ACU football team is 4-0 for the first time since 1983 after shutting out an opponent for the second week in a row in ... [Read More…]

Run defense key against ENMU: The 3-0 nationally ranked ACU football team will face the triple option running scheme of Eastern New Mexico Univedsity on the road Saturday.

by

By Daniel Johnson, Sports Editor The ACU football team is nationally ranked for the first time since 1997 and head coach Chris Thomsen is focused on one thing: the next opponent on the schedule. "I'm glad our players and assistant coaches have been recognized for their hard work early in the season," Thomsen said. "But I don't put a lot of stock ... [Read More…]

ACU ranked No. 17 after 31-0 shutout: The ACU football team claimed its first national ranking since 1997 after dominating Southwestern Oklahoma State 31-0 on Saturday

by

By Daniel Johnson, Sports Editor The ACU Wildcat football team maintained its spot atop the conference standings and became nationally ranked for the first time since 1997 after winning its third consecutive game by shutting out the Southwestern Oklahoma State Bulldogs 31-0 on Saturday. The Wildcats are ranked in four of the nation's Division II ... [Read More…]

Dream come true: Former ACU all-American is living his dream playing in his rookie season for the Chicago Bears. Manning is using his past experiences at ACU and teammates to adjust to the NFL lifestyle.

by

By Daniel Johnson, Sports Editor The alarm goes off, the sun is rising and, just like every other Sunday, most students at ACU are either sleeping in or getting ready for church. But while the ACU community spends their Sundays in beds or church buildings, one former Wildcat is living out his dream in front of 100,000 fans at the historic Soldier ... [Read More…]

You are here: Home / Football