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Post by Outsider on Nov 19, 2022 21:01:21 GMT -6
SFA lost their ranking for a good reason. We didn't have any ranked wins and had an ok SOS, which is why we weren't ranked. No, ACU was NOT a playoff caliber team. We made some really great strides from the last few years and we had a good season but today's play is proof of the limits of our growth. We didn't make that big of leap in one season but we had a good season. North Dakota is currently ranked 16 and we were 1 play from beating them (a bad chop block call). SFA had been ranked all year, a couple missed field goals away from beating them twice. Missouri is an sec school - take away a punt return and a dropped td and a bad 4&1 call and we could have won that game. Offensively we left a lot to be desired I will agree, but I still think we are a playoff caliber team that just had a couple plays not go our way. Like I said, we had 0 ranked wins. We came close; big improvements. We didn't win; Not leaped...
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Post by 123acufan on Nov 19, 2022 21:02:17 GMT -6
This is exactly the kind of season that will leave a bad taste in their mouths all year. They realize how good they are and how a few plays left them from a 10-1 record and current 7-4 record. Next year I fully expect an outstanding season and a playoff appearance multiple rounds deep. They deserved it this year but the game doesn’t always fo your way. I’m drinking the kool-aid and will keep drinking it until I can’t anymore.
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Post by wildcatter on Nov 19, 2022 21:03:04 GMT -6
The focal point eye test is too powerful.
We made a jump this year to being a respectable team with an offense that can make explosive plays. That’s a good enough jump to me in year 1 considering the past few years we always look undersized and too slow. I look forward to next year and to see how we can recruit with a full offseason and a program in a better place than it was this time last year.
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Post by 123acufan on Nov 19, 2022 21:03:36 GMT -6
North Dakota is currently ranked 16 and we were 1 play from beating them (a bad chop block call). SFA had been ranked all year, a couple missed field goals away from beating them twice. Missouri is an sec school - take away a punt return and a dropped td and a bad 4&1 call and we could have won that game. Offensively we left a lot to be desired I will agree, but I still think we are a playoff caliber team that just had a couple plays not go our way. Like I said, we had 0 ranked wins. We came close; big improvements. We didn't win; Not leaped... Last year we’d have won 2 games. A d2 and Lamar. We leaped to the moon from last year.
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Post by ybp80 on Nov 19, 2022 21:03:48 GMT -6
The defense choked at a key moment in the game, but thanks for helping to show us more of why we weren't a playoff caliber team. The defense did not choke. The offense under performed. Defense did exactly as would be expected of them based on their seasons statistics. But you have your prerogative and it’s a hill you’re willing to die on even when presented with factual evidence. There’s plenty of blame to go around to all phases of our game today, not just the defense, imho. Maverick was not always sharp, had interceptions, running backs were mia for chunks of the game, defense gave up far too many 3rd downs and couldn’t contain their QB. I don’t know what to say about Blair Zepeda, I know he must feel awful. This season was much better than expected and could have been even better. I love the changes to our offense and am looking forward to next season.
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Post by acu38troy35 on Nov 19, 2022 21:08:17 GMT -6
You guys can argue all you want about whether the defense choked or not (which I would say the defense didn’t choke but that all three phases did not play up to their potential) but we missed two field goals tonight and lost the game by three points… infuriating.
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Post by 123acufan on Nov 19, 2022 21:09:56 GMT -6
You guys can argue all you want about whether the defense choked or not (which I would say the defense didn’t choke but that all three phases did not play up to their potential) but we missed two field goals tonight and lost the game by three points… infuriating. Agreed.
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Post by CrazyPurpleCat on Nov 19, 2022 21:16:11 GMT -6
You guys can argue all you want about whether the defense choked or not (which I would say the defense didn’t choke but that all three phases did not play up to their potential) but we missed two field goals tonight and lost the game by three points… infuriating. To be fair I did mention earlier that our kicking game was statistically the worst in the FCS and 5th worst in all of the NCAA (FBS, FCS, D2, D3) so I personally haven’t actually blamed the special teams, there is obviously big fault there. On the flip side though we blocked a FG and an extra point so the defensive side of special teams so it gets closer to being balanced out than what meets the eye. When you have the worst kicking game in FCS all year though, I think blame will by default be going there without anyone clearly stating it.
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Post by jCat on Nov 19, 2022 21:27:15 GMT -6
While some have suggested this current ACU team is a playoff team, I don't think so. Let me qualify that.
I don't think it would be realistic for this ACU group to expect to enter the FCS playoffs and win a game or two. We'd be overmatched. Let's compare what we have with another team and program that we remember: Incarnate Word.
As nice a quarterback as Trae Self is, 7th-year QB Lindsey Scott (who transferred from Nicholas State) is putting up video game numbers for them. They have multiple receivers that have breakaway--Gibson-like speed to go with a complementary run game. Our defense would be very hard-pressed to run and tackle with them. And their defense has made substantial strides. They'd be undefeated if they hadn't given up a fluke hail Mary play against a good SELA team. That was as strange an ending to a game as our first loss to SFA.
Incarnate Word is well-positioned to make some noise in the playoffs. They may end up with a first-round bye and the chance to host a game with the winner playing one of the elite FCS programs. Sam Houston took that path and won a championship.
But our Wildcat coaching staff gets an entire off-season to work with players and recruit. Can you believe they started on this team in late January? We will get there and it might only take one more recruiting cycle.
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Post by Outsider on Nov 19, 2022 21:31:00 GMT -6
This is exactly the kind of season that will leave a bad taste in their mouths all year. They realize how good they are and how a few plays left them from a 10-1 record and current 7-4 record. Next year I fully expect an outstanding season and a playoff appearance multiple rounds deep. They deserved it this year but the game doesn’t always fo your way. I’m drinking the kool-aid and will keep drinking it until I can’t anymore. I certainly hope we have an outstanding season and go deep next year. If they stay the course and keep improving, they certainly will.
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Post by rc on Nov 19, 2022 21:42:48 GMT -6
Interesting comments on SFA's home page, the SAWMILL. Early on one comment was they might get beat by 30. There was respect from SFA.
I think we have to be very clear about two things: 1) our kicking game has been a weakness and it surely was with this game, and 2) Their QB threw for 397 yards... with a great deal of that on shorter routes. That is shocking. Sitting in the stands and seeing them line up three recievers to one side and we send two guys over shallow and one back deep to defend was painful. Of course they could pass all night. 397 yards will beat you almost every time. We kept their running game mostly in check, but even I could tell where a pass was going most of the time. To our credit, there were some great defensive plays by the defensive backs, but they often had receivers wide open and they sure took advantage of that. When it is 3 against 2, racking up the yardage is typical.
It was not our night and SFA sure did a great job of finding and picking on our weaknesses. Carthal's pregame presser was complimentary of the Wildcats and their online fans seemed a notch more classy than the WAC board. Now let's recruit, elevate, and continue our upward movement. Football at ACU is interesting again.
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Post by bogeyman on Nov 20, 2022 7:06:27 GMT -6
There are some young men who just played their last game for ACU who will be missed greatly. Peyton Mansell, Jordan Paup, Tory Hargrove, Kobe Clark, Jack Schultz, Shelby Washington, John Brannon, Kendall Catalon among others. Thanks guys for a great season and for some a great career. Wishing you the best in whatever you do as you transition from playing this game we all love. (I know I missed some but these came to mind). I noticed earlier that Reese Moore's name is not on the twitter list???
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Post by buckeyecat on Nov 20, 2022 7:56:55 GMT -6
I agree! Kudos to some great seniors who gave it their all. While yesterday was disappointing, a 7-4 season was far above my expectations at the beginning of the year. We now have an excellent coach and I personally will continue to come back to Abilene in the future to support the Purple and White.
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Post by OscarWildeCat, Admin on Nov 20, 2022 10:47:24 GMT -6
There are some young men who just played their last game for ACU who will be missed greatly. Peyton Mansell, Jordan Paup, Tory Hargrove, Kobe Clark, Jack Schultz, Shelby Washington, John Brannon, Kendall Catalon among others. Thanks guys for a great season and for some a great career. Wishing you the best in whatever you do as you transition from playing this game we all love. (I know I missed some but these came to mind). I noticed earlier that Reese Moore's name is not on the twitter list??? Reese Moore is listed as a sophomore (double, triple redshirts)? I read his name not being mentioned as a sign he plans to return next year.
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Post by 123acufan on Nov 20, 2022 11:06:41 GMT -6
There are some young men who just played their last game for ACU who will be missed greatly. Peyton Mansell, Jordan Paup, Tory Hargrove, Kobe Clark, Jack Schultz, Shelby Washington, John Brannon, Kendall Catalon among others. Thanks guys for a great season and for some a great career. Wishing you the best in whatever you do as you transition from playing this game we all love. (I know I missed some but these came to mind). I noticed earlier that Reese Moore's name is not on the twitter list??? Reese Moore is listed as a sophomore (double, triple redshirts)? I read his name not being mentioned as a sign he plans to return next year. He is a 5th year with potential Covid year and medical redshirt
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