Abilene Christian New Challenge for Kats
10/25/2014 12:23:00 AM | Football
With Abilene Christian making its first football visit to Huntsville since 1983, there are a number of question marks surrounding the Wildcats.
The 2014 season will be ACU's first in the Southland Conference since 1972. Abilene Christian was a founding member of the league in 1963. But, a decade later, the Wildcats opted to go to the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference.
Last year, the Wildcats played an FCS independent schedule and finished with a 6-5 record. Sam Houston and ACU have not met on the gridiron since 1984.
“They're a team we've never played before, so that's a concern,” Sam Houston senior safety Michael Wade said. “You never want to go to sleep on anybody. We've studied a lot of video on them and know they're going to be a challenge for us.”
Abilene Christian brings a 4-4 overall record into Elliott T. Bowers Stadium for Saturday's 3 p.m. kickoff. That record includes a 38-35 victory over FBS opponent Troy and a one-point 38-37 loss to another FCS foe Georgia State. Their other two losses are to FCS nationally-ranked teams -- No. 25 Northern Arizona by six points, 27-21, and a 31-20 loss to No. 11 McNeese 31-20.
“Those are four good football teams,” SHSU head coach K. C. Keeler said. “Abilene Christian is a very sound team. They do a lot of things offensively that will challenge us. They have good wide receivers and running backs. Their quarterback is athletic enough to hurt you with his feet, but he always keeps his eyes down field and does a good job picking up second and third receivers. They have a solid defense as well.”
ACU quarterback McKenzie Parker ranks fifth in FCS passing yards with 2,195, an average of 274.4 per game. Parker has completed 168 of 256 passes including 18 for touchdowns. He has five receivers with more than 20 catches this season.
“They have a lot of talent,” Wade said. “We've got to be focused and concentrate on going 1-and-0 this week.”
The Wildcats lead the Southland Conference in turnover margin at plus 11, a number that ties them for second place among FCS teams. ACU forced six turnovers last week against McNeese State, recovering four fumbles.
“They have a good defense,” freshman wide receiver Yedidiah Louis. “Their backs are hard-hitting and they come down hill really fast. They are going to be tough.”
During the two universities' Lone Star Conference days, Abilene Christian and Sam Houston played 19 teams with the Wildcats winning 12 games and the Bearkats seven.
In the 29 years since Bowers opened in 1986, the Kats stand 112-43-1 on their home turf. Sam Houston has not lost a Southland Conference football game at Bowers since 2010 (against McNeese), winning their last 10 home league contests.
1964 CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM 50TH ANNIVERSARY
The 1964 Sam Houston football team that won the Lone Star Conference championship and shared the NAIA national title will be honored Saturday on the 50th anniversary of their achievements.
“PINK OUT” AT BOWERS STADIUM
Saturday marks the eighth annual “Pink Out” day at Bowers Stadium with special events to promote breast cancer prevention awareness.
VILLAS DASH FOR CASH
Students may sign up at the Villas on Sycamore tent at Bearkat Alley tailgate Saturday to have the opportunity to be selected as one of five contestants in the Villas Dash for Cash. A $150 gift card is first prize.
