By Joel Weckerly, Sports Editor Ever since he was a child, Gary Gaines knew what he wanted to do with his life. All he had to do was look to his uncle, a sideline general from yesteryear, and he knew he was going to be a football coach. "He was my childhood hero," Gaines said of his uncle. "I had great admiration for him and what he did, and I ... [Read More…]
ACU: Catch us if you can…: Wildcats get fired up for Homecoming guest Angelo State
By Joel Weckerly, Sports Editor The Wildcats head into Saturday's Homecoming game against conference rival Angelo State with an undefeated division record on the line, as well as a possible three-game win streak for the first time in three years. They'll also be playing in front of thousands of students and alumni who expect an ACU victory. But ... [Read More…]
Cats make it two in a row, 22-20: Nelson comes through in clutch once again
By Joel Weckerly, Sports Editor Back-to-back game-winning field goals by Eben Nelson on Saturday translated into back-to-back ACU wins for the first time since the 1999 season. The Wildcats' 22-20 victory over Central Oklahoma in Shotwell Stadium came a week after a 20-19 win at Eastern New Mexico. Nelson, the sophomore crunch-time kicker from ... [Read More…]
Football team returns home for Bronchos: Wildcats face UCO after month away from Shotwell
By Joel Weckerly, Sports Editor For the first time since its season opener, the 1-3 Wildcat football team returns home Saturday to face Lone Star Conference North opponent Central Oklahoma. When the Cats last played at Shotwell Stadium on Sept. 7, they fell 31-17 to Central Arkansas. Coming off a 20-19 road victory over conference rival Eastern ... [Read More…]
ACU knocks off No. 25 ENMU: Cats get first win, 20-19 on Nelson’s last-second field goal
By Joel Weckerly, Sports Editor It's funny how things keep coming back around. Two seasons ago, the ACU football team lost six games because of special teams blunders. On Sat-urday, the Wildcats won a game because of special teams efficiency. In the process, the Cats knocked off Eastern New Mexico, a team that was 4-0, tops in the Lone Star ... [Read More…]
Cats begin LSC South play at ENMU: ACU has won last three meetings in Portales
By Joel Weckerly, Sports Editor The ACU football team thought it would have its first unranked opponent this weekend when the Cats go on the road to take on Eastern New Mexico. But that was before the Greyhounds en-tered the Top 25 this week at No. 25. Saturday's Lone Star Conference South matchup with first place ENM (4-0) makes four ranked ... [Read More…]
Sims a quiet person, big playmaker: Wideout brings speed, reputation to Wildcats
By Joel Weckerly, Sports Editor Prior to the opening kickoff in the Wildcats' season opener at Shotwell Stadium Sept.7, few spectators knew who the return man wearing No. 7 for ACU was. His lanky 6-foot-2, 190 pound frame stood patiently on the 5-yard line, got under the ball and returned the pigskin 95 yards for a touchdown. Fans wanted to know ... [Read More…]
Back has slow-Polk start: Record-breaking running back seeks last season’s groove
By Joel Weckerly, Sports Editor Last season an unknown running back from Sam Houston State University transferred to ACU in hopes of becoming a starter, then proceeded to break the school's single-season rushing record. He had attention and gave fans something to look forward to watching on Saturday afternoons. Now, senior tailback Eric Polk is ... [Read More…]
Tarleton State defense stymies ACU: Football team to rest, refocus during bye week
By Joel Weckerly, Sports Editor The ACU football team can play defense. To say anything less after ACU's narrow loss to nationally-ranked Tarleton State on Saturday would be absurd. The No. 7 Texans, who had been averaging 51 points a game, managed just a dozen against the Wildcat defense in a 12-9 victory at TSU. "It was a great defensive ... [Read More…]
Wildcats face No. 7 Tarleton State
By Joel Weckerly, Sports Editor The ACU football team lost its first two games to nationally-ranked teams, face another Top 25 team this weekend and still have one more to go on the season. All that and they still have great attitudes. "One of the really positive things about this year's team is our attitude," Coach Gary Gaines said. "We've been ... [Read More…]