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Post by Cap'n on Sept 29, 2024 18:06:16 GMT -6
This is the biggest test of the year. UCA is a very high profile FCS team. You might think that they would have a great track record of playoff success given that they are picked to win their conference and do well in the playoffs practically every year. They had a great run 2015-2019 with a couple of SLC champtionships and one playoff victory but they've been rather average the last 6 years since moving to the ASun/UAC.
But a lot has come together for them this year. They are very experienced; have a 7th year QB; 2 terrific running backs and a quality offensive line. Add to that a couple of all-americal type defensive players and they should be favored this year. How good they really are is still a little bit up in the air due to a weak out of conference schedule compared to other top teams in the UAC and road games against Tarleton, EKU and ACU. But I think that they are the most likely playoff team from the UAC.
I picked ACU to win this weekend but that is the fan in me talking. I realize that we are going to have to bring the offense that played against so well against Texas Tech and a mistake-free defense that holds UCA to below their seasonal averages rushing and passing.
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UCA Bears
Sept 30, 2024 6:01:17 GMT -6
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Post by acumedic on Sept 30, 2024 6:01:17 GMT -6
Are they better than Idaho?
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UCA Bears
Sept 30, 2024 10:42:13 GMT -6
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Post by catfanatic on Sept 30, 2024 10:42:13 GMT -6
UCA is as good as Idaho, both from personnel and scheme perspectives. The difference is they hate ACU because of how they believe ACU treated Ken Collums. No way I’m saying ACU did anything wrong, but it IS their motivation against us, and will be as long as Nathan Brown is their HC. As a result, the Wildcats must “gird up their loins” like they did in 1970, when the Arkansas State Indians won their first two consecutive national titles due in very large part to beating the Jim Lindsey-led Wildcats at Shotwell, 23-28, and in 1982, when Jim Wacker led then-Southwest Texas State to the first of two consecutive national titles on the back of a windblown 38-31 thriller, also at Shotwell, over Coach Ted Sitton’s Wildcats. Both of those games were played in front of +14K crowds. Will need AT LEAST that many this Saturday afternoon against the Arkansawyer’s! Be sure give the students PLENTY OF SUNSCREEN as this game needs to be a “youth group lock-in” event! Go Wildcats!! Beat UCA!!!!!!!!!
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Post by dallasalum on Sept 30, 2024 11:06:59 GMT -6
Ken Collums is a really good OC and QB coach. Wish that he would have been at ACU all of these years as our OC. However, he would have never been an OC under Dorrell, since Dorrell was really his own OC despite Josh Lamberson having that title. IMO we have not had an OC since he left who was nearly as good as he is.
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Post by EvanNemec on Sept 30, 2024 12:25:14 GMT -6
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Post by jCat on Sept 30, 2024 17:19:57 GMT -6
Are they better than Idaho? Yes, yes they are. The Bears RBs are far more explosive than the Vandals.
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UCA Bears
Sept 30, 2024 19:14:02 GMT -6
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Post by acumedic on Sept 30, 2024 19:14:02 GMT -6
Are they better than Idaho? Yes, yes they are. The Bears RBs are far more explosive than the Vandals. Well…bring it on. Let’s go cats!
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Post by texas48 on Oct 2, 2024 9:44:37 GMT -6
A look at Central Akransas: The Bears come into Saturday's game 4-1 with wins over Lindenwood, Austin Peay, Ark-Pine Bluff and Lamar. The loss was to Arkansas State (34-31). Lamar is 3-2 on the season while the other three are a combined 4-10.
UCA is averaging 40 points per game while allowing 19. The Bears are rushing for 272.8 yards per game and passing for 212.6 ypg. The defense is allowing 106.6 yards rushing and 207.2 yards passing per outing. Total offense for the Bears is 485.4 ypg while allowing 313.8 ypg.
ShunDerrick Powell leads the team with 99 rushes for 810 yards and 10 TDs. He is averaging 162.0 ypg while Darius Hale is second with 78 ypg (66-390 and 9 TDs). Will McElvain is throwing for 202.4 yards per game with a total of 1,012 yards, six TDs and is 81-117-2. The receivers are led by Kam Robinson (17-183) and Trejan Bridges (15-195). UCA only has six receiving touchdowns compared to 20 rushing scores.
The defense is led by Jace Benesch with 36 total tackles, including one sack for minus-one yard. Dude Person is second with 27 tackles while David Walker has 10.5 tackles for a loss of 62 yards, including a team-high 6.5 sacks for minus-54 yards. The Bears have four interceptions, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and one blocked kick. The defense has 28 pass breakups and 13 QB hurries.
Opponents have only gotten to UCA's QB five times, have four pass breakups and 15 QB hurries.
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Post by jCat on Oct 2, 2024 11:40:16 GMT -6
Offensively, you can know what to expect from the Bears: explosive backs, play action with short throws, QB running options, screens, shot plays down the field, etc. Their coaches do an exceptional job in creating one-on-one matchups for their athletes to win.
ACU could use a fast start on both sides of the ball. A few early first downs would do wonders for our offense's confidence.
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Post by rc on Oct 2, 2024 15:21:43 GMT -6
I agree jCat, a fast start is very important. When the team gets rolling, it tends to keep on moving with confidence. When it seems a bit stalled, it is almost like an illness. So a quick start would be a great thing as the Wildcats prepare to knock off a big boy -- which we certainly can do.
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Post by EastTexasWildcat on Oct 2, 2024 19:28:48 GMT -6
Can’t make it to Abilene this weekend. Bummer! So, I have 4 club tickets available. Just want them used. PM me if interested.
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Post by rc on Oct 2, 2024 22:26:05 GMT -6
Is this a fun season or what? FCS number 5 comes to Abilene to play FCS number 16. The world is a lot different than the old days. We can win and when we do, who knows how the ranking and invitation to the post season turn out?
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Post by jCat on Oct 3, 2024 6:02:55 GMT -6
Over the years, we have had several opportunities to score breakthrough wins against UCA. Vegas has the Bears favored by 6.5. That seems very reasonable based on how the teams are playing.
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Post by EvanNemec on Oct 3, 2024 16:11:43 GMT -6
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Post by catfanatic on Oct 4, 2024 8:01:27 GMT -6
UCA is to ACU what a&m is to Arkansas. I attended last year’s game in Conway and it was not as close as the 17-52 final score. Coach Patterson says this year’s team is better than last year’s and, having been in Lubbock, I agree. That said, virtually everyone that played for UCA last year will be in Abilene tomorrow. This year’s tilt is going to be a “two chin strap affair”. Hope the fans are up to it because a Wildcats win will depend on all of us. I
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