A CHAMPIONSHIP YEAR
Key victories propel Wildcats to top of UAC
BY HAYDEN DELAND SPORTS REPORTER
The Wildcats made history Saturday night in Stephenville, where No. 14 ACU defeated the No. 13 Tarleton State Texans 35-31 in the I-20 rivalry game. The eighth win of the season secured a spot in the NCAA FCS playoffs, ACU’s first conference championship and the most wins in a season since moving to the Div. I level in 2013.
ACU was not
This past weekend is one to be remembered, as the Big Country and its football legacy book got some big news. All three universities in McMurry, Hardin-Simmons, and Abilene Christian University emerged as conference champions in their respective conferences.
McMurry:
The Warhawks ended their season 7-3 overall and 7-1 in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference, sharing the title with Texas Lutheran who also finished 7-1 in conference play.
McMurry’s success is held within its embodied perseverance and commitment. Head Coach Jordan Neal said this past week the theme for the team quoted the bible verse 2 Timothy 4:7.
“I have fought the good fight. I’ve kept the faith. I’ve finished the race,” Neal said. “They had faith, and they finished.”
This season marked the first conference championship since 1983 and its best record since 2012.
McMurry fell just short, however, of post-season play as their co-conference champions head to face Linfield University.
Hardin-Simmons:
Meanwhile, the other Div. III program in town, Hardin-Simmons set the bar for which post-season play is judged. HSU earned
expected to win the conference, finishing sixth in the preseason United Athletic Conference coach’s poll.
This team will go down in ACU history along with the 1973 and 1977 teams which each won NAIA championships.
“They literally just set themselves apart,” Head Coach Keith Patterson said.
With 1:48 left in the game, the Wildcats took the field down 3128, looking to score a
touchdown and make history.
All 58 minutes played before this drive didn’t matter anymore, all that mattered was scoring on this drive.
Maverick McIvor, graduate quarterback from San Angelo, was poised in the pocket as he completed his passes, slowly driving his offense down the field.
“Hats off to Maverick, that was a tough, hard-fought win,” Patterson said. “There’s not
many kids that can execute with that poise. No timeouts and just never panicked.”
McIvor led ACU to the Tarleton 25-yard line where he spiked the ball to stop the clock with less than a minute left. The next play he found JJ Henry, redshirt junior wide receiver from McKinney, across the middle to set up first and goal at the Texans’ one-yard line.
“Every Thursday we have a two-minute drill
a first-round bye as the No. 2 seed nationally and finished their season with a perfect, 10-0 overall and 6-0 in American Southwest Conference play.
This marks their seventh season in the postseason, and their third consecutively under Head Coach Jesse Burleson. However, the team is not letting all the accolades get to them.
“None of us are satisfied and we gotta build on this,” said Burleson. “We are climbing that mountain and it is pretty treacherous, so if you don’t continue to climb it, you’re going to slip back and we definitely don’t want to do that. So we got to continue keeping our
foot on the gas and keeping the main thing the main thing.”
Nonetheless, their season being such a huge success he admitted, “The future is bright,” Burleson said. “Whatever they throw at us, this team will be ready.”
The Cowboys postseason begins in the second round on Nov. 30 as they await the announcement of their opponent this Sunday.
Abilene Christian University:
For Abilene Christian, this marks their first conference championship in their Div. I era, when they beat their rival in Tarleton State this past weekend. They finished the season
7-1 in the United Athletic Conference.
They were also named Stats Perform FCS National Team of the Week, after a stellar drive to win the game with less than two minutes on the clock and no timeouts.
Head Coach Keith Patterson has preached it is the team’s time to leave a legacy on the program.
“Leave it better than you found it,” said Patterson. “Not only leave the jersey better than you found it, leave the man inside the jersey better. We’re still writing our story.”
Despite the ACU community holding steadfast to the conference win, Patter-
in practice and it’s just kind of relying on what we know how to do and what we’re good at,” McIvor said.
With less than 30 seconds left, McIvor completed a pass to Hicks who fell into the endzone for a touchdown, giving ACU the lead 35-31.
Tarleton started its final drive with 0:19 left. The Texans got the ball to the ACU 39-yard line to set up the final play of the game. After
the Texans’ quarterback Victor Gabalis launched the ball to the endzone, it was bobbled until it finally hit the ground. The clock struck zero, fans ran onto the field to join the players in celebrating their historic accomplishment of winning the UAC. ACU is scheduled to play Stephen F. Austin State University on Saturday. The playoff matchup is scheduled to be announced Sunday night.
son emphasized the job is still not finished.
“We didn’t hold up the championship trophy today,” he said. “We’ll celebrate that after the season’s over.”
It is possible the Wildcats will host their playoff game to start the postseason, they will discover their position in the FCS playoff bracket this Sunday at 11:30 a.m.
Some key players to watch this postseason:
HSU - S Harrison Foster A team reliant on their defensive presence, giving up 17.5 PPG, Foster poses a lethal threat to any opponent, registering three interceptions and 80 total tackles this season.
ACU - QB Maverick McIvor McIvor has been playing lights out for the Wildcats,
leading all of NCAA Div I. football in total passing yards with 3,604 yards and is third in the nation in total passing touchdowns with 28. The Texas Tech transfer is a big proponent to seeing where ACU lands this year.
A United Big Country The success of these three programs speaks volumes about the talent and commitment to winning in Abilene as it grows collegiately in athletics.
“This is exciting for the city of Abilene, for all three universities, and for this region of football,” Patterson said.
Abilene is waiting to perhaps host two playoff games in a couple of weeks- displaying an appreciation for a great football season in the Big Country.
A student publication of Abilene Christian University since 1912
PHOTO BY ZION WEBB | SPORTS REPORTER
Blayne Taylor, graduate wide receiver from Saginaw, Kaghen Roach, redshirt senior defensive lineman from Celina, and Head Coach Keith Patterson hold trophy and celebrate with the team.
PHOTO BY ZION WEBB | SPORTS REPORTER Jed Castles, redshirt junior tight end from Wichita Falls, jumps in the air after the Wildcats score.
L, TTU 52, ACU 51 OT
Football opened the season in Lubbock where they fell to the Red Raiders 52-51 in overtime. Maverick McIvor threw for 506 yards and three touchdowns while running back Isaiah Johnson found the end zone three times on the ground. After the game, the team bus carrying Head Coach Keith Patterson was struck by another vehicle at a stoplight. Three team members, along with the bus driver, were sent to the hospital.
THE ROAD TO THE PLAYOFFS
W, ACU 38, UWG 24
The Wildcats played their first home game of the season and got their first win as Nehemiah Martinez I led the team with 132 yards and two touchdowns.
L, UNA 47, ACU 34
The Wildcats fell in Florence, Alabama, as the defense allowed 8.2 yards per play and quarterback T.J Smith lifted the Lions to their third consecutive win.
W, ACU 24, UNC 22
After a hard-fought battle in Greeley, Colorado, kicker Ritse Vaes successfully made a 54-yard field goal as time expired to give ACU the win.
W, ACU 34, EKU 20
The Wildcats won their sixth straight Homecoming game as center Tay Yanta made his 30th consecutive start since transferring to ACU.
Idaho 27, ACU 24
The Wildcats hosted the No. 4-ranked Vandals for Family Weekend in Abilene but fell after turning the ball over on two separate occasions.
W, ACU 28, SUU 25
The Wildcats played their final regular season home game and moved to 6-1 in United Athletic Conference play against Southern Utah.
UTU 30
After the loss to Idaho,
preseason UAC favorite Central Arkansas and won the game on an interception by stand out linebacker Will Shaffer.
The Wildcats defeated the defending UAC champion Austin Peay State after quarterback Maverick McIvor led a game winning drive that ended with a touchdown to tight end Jed Castles.
Wildcats split group of five games, look to tournament
BY ROMAN RAFFAELI SPORTS REPORTER
In their final game inside Moody Coliseum for almost a month, the Wildcats beat the Texas State University Bobcats by 72-60.
The Wildcats held the lead for the game’s duration after scoring at the 18:58 mark in the first half. The lead swelled to as much as 16 as the Wildcats continued to build momentum throughout the game.
A key piece of the Wildcats’ success was their defense as they held the Bobcats to shoot just 40.5% from the field and 37.5% from behind the threepoint line.
“I thought that’s as good as we’ve been defensively,” said Head Coach Brette Tanner. Senior guard Hunter Jack Madden led the team in scoring with 23 points on 7-11 shooting from the field and 6-8 from three. Madden add-
ed four rebounds and assists before fouling out late in the second half.
“He shot with confidence,” Tanner said. “You’re open, you shoot it.”
The Wildcats also got significant contributions from their bench, putting up 24 points compared to the Bobcats’ three points from their bench.
“The thing I am most proud of is that guys came in off the bench and were ready to go,” Tanner said. “Extremely proud of those guys.”
The Bobcats were unable to get their offense running for the majority of the game, making just two of their first nine shots through the 8:30 mark in the first half.
Both teams have been known to play a physical style of basketball, which led to the 52 fouls between the two teams.
Tanner was unhappy with the number of fouls commit-
ted but was pleased with his team’s response to their mistakes.
“We fouled too much,” he said. “But when we foul we tend to play better.”
Despite the win, Tanner wants the team to commit fewer turnovers.
“We’ll get there,” he said. “Once we cut our turnovers down, I think we’ll start seeing even more success.”
The Wildcats played their second Conference USA game on Wednesday against Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, GA. They fell to the Owls by a final score of 84-78, the team’s first loss since Nov. 9.
The game between the Wildcats and Owls was one of several games featured in the Conference USA - Western Athletic Conference challenge taking place between the two conferences. ACU played in two of these games, losing to both Middle Tennessee Uni-
versity and Kennesaw State. As of Nov. 20, Conference USA leads the WAC 6 wins to 4.
The Wildcats held the lead at halftime by a score of 42-40 after starting the game shooting 51.7 percent from the field and 57.1 percent from three.
The Owls responded in the second half on the shoulders of Simeon Cottle who scored 22 points in 36 minutes. Cottle was perfect from the freethrow line, going 10-10 from the stripe. The Owls had key contributions from Adrian Wooley, who played all 40 minutes and scored 17 points, and Jamil Miller who had 17 points on 5-6 shooting in 30 minutes.
The Wildcats’ Quion Williams led the team with 19 points and six rebounds but failed to make a three-point field goal, going 0-3 from behind the arc. Leonardo Bettiol added 18 points before fouling out.
Fouling has been an issue for the Wildcats to start the year as the team has logged 107 through its first five games, 21.4 per game with 32 and 25 in their last two games respectively. Despite the high number of fouls, the Wildcats only turned the ball over seven times against the Owls; a season low for the team. The Cats will look to get back in the win column Monday against the University of Southern Mississippi in the first of two games the team will play in Bozeman, Montana, as they compete in the Basketball Travelers Invitational.
THE OPTIMIST STAFF
PHOTO BY STEVEN INFANTE | PHOTOGRAPHER
Quion Williams, junior guard from Jonesboro, Arkansas, shoots over fallen opponent.
PHOTO BY STEVEN INFANTE | PHOTOGRAPHER Leonardo Bettiol, junior forward from Roncade, Italy, battles opponent in the post.
L,
W, ACU 55,
the offense bounced back, finding the end zone six times, three of which on the back of Sam Hicks.
W, ACU 41, UCA 34
The Wildcats hosted
W, ACU 35, TSU 31
The Wildcats clinched an FCS playoff berth and won the UAC title after Maverick McIvor led a game-winning drive in his second consecutive game.
W, ACU 35, APSU 34
Patience pays off for Patterson
BY ZION WEBB SPORTS REPORTER
Wildcat football’s dramatic last-minute 35-31 victory over Tarleton and its United Athletic Conference championship did not start with several new transfers joining the team or even with the dynamic play of graduate quarterback Maverick McIvor.
Rather, this story began in 1966 in Rush Springs, Oklahoma, where Keith Patterson, barely out of diapers, watched his dad, coach Joe Tunnell, win the state title for Rush Springs High School.
“Every Friday and or Saturday, since I was probably 1 or 2 years old, I’ve been going to football games,” said Patterson, now in his third year as ACU’s head football coach.
This sparked a nearly several decade journey for Patterson after high school, which led him to East Central University. He went on to play defensive back for the Tigers and was named a two-time team captain.
From there he became a grad assistant at ECU and had a few stints at a couple of high schools, and a couple of colleges, too. Along the road, he served as defensive coordinator in West Virginia, Arizona State and, of course, Texas Tech University.
That all led to a call on a Thursday afternoon, in which Dr. Phil Schubert, president on the university, reached out to Patterson, inquiring about the position.
“I had already in my mind made up that I was going to go with Dan Lanning,” the head football coach at the University of Oregon, Patterson said.
“Well, I only have one question,” Patterson told Schubert at the time. “Tonight’s Thursday, and you said earlier in the conversation that y’all were going to hire a coach by this weekend. Is this a real interview?”
Schubert said it was the real deal, and the university would love to have him down to Abilene for an interview for the position.
That Saturday, he received the offer, and on Dec. 6, 2021, ACU announced its new head football coach.
“From high schools to FBS programs, he has a strong knowledge of and familiarity with coaches in this part of the nation, a reputation for coaching high-level defenses, and tremendous postseason experience,” Schubert said.
Patterson said what had him at the door, was the university’s mission statement – to educate students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world, which would fit perfectly for his program. Indeed, Patterson said
he has been trying to do his whole career.
“My whole life has been about creating champions in life. I wanted to teach people to win on and off the field,” he said.
However, change does not just happen overnight, Patterson said he always looked beyond the first couple of years on the coaching staff as the turning point season for the Wildcats.
“I’ve always pointed to year three,” Patterson said. “Changing a decade of losing requires chang-
ing the mindset of everybody in and around the program. Winning football games when circumstances get difficult – that’s a sign of players who are bought in.
And right on queue in his third season, the Wildcats have won their first-ever conference championship in the Div. I era.
The Tarleton game was filled with players who bought into his system. Win football games when circumstances get difficult. And Patterson had the receipts: Northern Colorado: Down 22-
21 with a 1:10 left to go. The offense drives the length of the field and kick a field goal with no time left to win. 24-22.
• Austin Peay: 35-34 with three minutes. The Wildcat defense stopped their opponents on fourth down with 1:57 left on the board. Then the offense ran the rest of the clock out to win.
• Tarleton State: Down 31-28 with 1:48 on the clock. They drive the field, score a touchdown, and then defend a Hail Mary to win the game, 35-31.
“We are winning football games when circumstances get difficult, and that’s the sign that you have kids who are bought into a championship mindset,” Patterson said.
A championship mindset that had to be relayed vertically throughout the program. In his short time at ACU so far, he has changed the offensive coordinator position three times, brought players in and out of the transfer portal, and of course, waited on the development of former Texas Tech quarterback McIvor.
“The potential with Maverick was always there,” Patterson said. “It was putting the right system and people around him
to have success.”
McIvor now leads the nation in total passing yards and is third in the nation in passing touchdowns. He has made his own history, and attributes his success to the diligent work his head coach has done to put the coordinator around him.
“[Rick Bowie] means everything to this team,” McIvor said. “He made it simple and brought me back to something I ran since 6th grade.”
The conviction to continue to make the necessary changes to win, paid off for Coach Patterson, finding the right people and coordinator to put around his star quarterback.
So what now for the KP and the Wildcats? Regarding his future, Patterson committed himself to ACU’s long-term vision but with humility and relying heavily on faith.
“I’m not a guy looking for the next job,” Patterson said. “I try to do the absolute best I can where I am. I’m going to be exactly where God plants me.”
A message to his ACU family: “I’m old, I’m not looking to leave you,” Patterson said.
PHOTO BY DANIEL CURD | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Keith Patterson, head football coach, walks back to the sidelines after a timeout with his players. QB Maverick McIvor
WR Nehemiah Martinez I
PHOTO BY DANIEL CURD | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Keith Patterson, head football coach, sits in his office and talks on the phone as he goes over his notes from the previous game.
“No new rules for rushing,” McPherson said. “We are using a different platform. We are using Compass, powered by Suitable, in order to register to rush and join and to check in and scan for attendance credit at all Greek Life events.”
Open rushes round one will took place from Nov. 21 - 23, and open rushes round two will take place from Dec. 1 - 2. Invitational rushes round three and four will start in January taking place on Jan. 11 - 12 and Jan. 16 - 18. PNMs need to attend all four rounds of rushing events and scan the QR code through their compass app to get credit for attending.
Kennedy Steward, president of GATA and senior psychology major from Dallas, said her club strives to welcome all women who are
GATA Garden Party is Dec. 1 at 1 p.m. in the Quad. We have two invitational rushes: Gilmore GATA is on Jan. 11, at 5 p.m. at Seven and One Books and PJs and Pearls is on Jan. 17, at 7 p.m. and the location is to be decided.”
McPherson said if these numbers change, the PNMs will be notified.
“If the organizations choose to make any changes in the number of new members they will take for this rushing and joining season, we will be transparent with all the PNMs as well as the other organizations to let them know what those changes are as soon as we are provided that information.”
Before bids are announced, all PNMs must complete an online hazing prevention training. Once
Season signals football D1 dream has arrived
BY JOSEPH CHAPA OPINION WRITER
From inaugural coach A.B. Morris’ 17-year tenure to the 1973 and ‘77 NAIA national titles to the development of 37 NFL athletes, Abilene Christian has a rich football history.
The 105-year-old football program that has earned success at all levels has now found its groove in Division I FCS football.
Dr. Phil Schubert’s decision to become a D1 institution reaped long-term benefits with a temporary cost. After seven years of some fans questioning the university’s athletic division choice, the Wildcat faithful can now take pride in their football team. This is the best year in ACU football’s D1 existence.
From consecutive top 25 rankings to beating No. 4 Central Arkansas and being a point shy from upsetting Texas Tech, the Wildcats’ success has earned the university national recognition.
How did ACU get here?
The Wildcats maximized their resources in an era of conference realignment, name image and likeness and the transfer portal. Hiring a former Power Five athletic director gave the university an experienced lens into the world of high-level athletics.
After parting ways with former head coach Adam Dorrel, the priority for the
next leader in the locker room became program-building. Boy, does head coach Keith Patterson know how to do that.
The moment Patterson arrived in January 2022, ACU football transformed. The pillars of character, discipline and toughness have elevated the competition, makeup and product on and off the field. It also helps that he and his staff are well-respected and have relationships within the web of college football.
This assisted the program in building an athletic, FBS-experienced roster that made winning the United Athletic Conference possible. Now, for the next item on the agenda.
Before fans of the purple and white can dream of the next conference landing spot, ACU must take charge in the FCS playoffs. This season has proved that the Wildcats are capable of doing just that.
Winning cures everything.
Winning has increased attendance for both students and fans.
Winning has made ACU a notable FCS school.
Winning has made the hopes and dreams of Wildcat football even more possible than before.
It is a moment of excitement for current students and alumni.
The Wildcats can now take hope that the future of ACU football is not on its way, it is here.
entation process is from Jan. 26 - Feb. 9.
Steward hopes all PNMs who are looking for community will go into the rushing process with an open mind.
“All [clubs] offer the opportunity to be a part of a community at ACU,” Steward said. “I would also encourage these [PNMs] to create connections with multiple [clubs] and be willing to say “yes” to a [club] that may not be their top choice.”
