2008 WILDCAT FOOTBALL

Transcription

1 ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY 2008 WILDCAT FOOTBALL Texas Conference Champions Gulf Coast Conference Champions 1955 Lone Star Conference Champions Lone Star Conference South Division Champions 2002 NAIA Division I National Champions NCAA Division II Playoff Appearances Bowl Championships 1950 Refrigerator Bowl 1973 NAIA Champions Bowl 1976 Shrine Bowl 1977 NAIA Apple Bowl

2 2008 WILDCAT FOOTBALL ACU FOOTBALL HISTORY First year of football: 1919 All-time record: record: 10-3 overall (8-2, 2nd in LSC / 5-1, 2nd in LSC South) Head coach: Chris Thomsen (4th season) Coach s overall record: Coach s record at ACU: Years in NCAA post-season play: 2 (2006, 2007) NCAA post-season record: 1-2 Last NCAA post-season appearance: 2007 Result: def. Mesa State, 56-12, in first round; lost to Chadron State, (3 ot) in second round WILDCAT COACHING STAFF Chris Thomsen Head coach / RB Ken Collums Offensive Coordinator / QB Jason Johns Defensive Coordinator / LB Clayton Farrell Defensive Line Cody Farrell Defensive Backs Desmond Gant Defensive Backs Brock Sherwood Wide Receivers Joe Walker Running Backs Nathan Young Offensive Line Jaime Arizpe Tight Ends / GA Chris Ballard Graduate Assistant / WR Garrett Carpenter Graduate Assistant / OL Travis Carpenter Graduate Assistant / DL WILDCATS ON THE RADIO All of ACU s games can be heard live on KYYW 1470 AM with Grant Boone calling all the play-by-play action. He will be joined in the booth at home games by Chuck Statler and on the road by ACU SID Lance Fleming. Since graduating from ACU, Boone has been a freelance broadcaster for ESPN, TNT, Golf Channel and CBS Radio. This year, he returns to the Wildcat radio booth where called games from Statler is back for his 15th season as the Wildcats color commentator, while Fleming will be doing road games for the second season. Joining the broadcast team in 2008 will be ACU assistant baseball coach Brandon Stover, who will be the sideline reporter during the season. ACU SPORTS INFORMATION LANCE FLEMING Director of Sports Information Abilene Christian University ACU Box Abilene, Texas Office phone: Cell phone: Fax: flemingl@acu.edu Shotwell Stadium Press box: or 4675 Home radio: Visitor radio: KYLE ROBARTS Graduate Assistant, Sports Information Office phone: Cell phone: robarts.kyle@gmail.com GAME EIGHT #16 Tarleton State (7-1, 5-1, 2-1) at #2 ACU Wildcats (7-0, 5-0, 3-0) 2008 SCHEDULE Date Opponent / Result Note Aug. 30 def. #3 NW Mo. State, ACU rallied from 21-7 deficit to win Sept. 13 # def. A&M-Commerce, ACU jumps to 35-0 halftime lead on way to easy win Sept. 20 # def. SE Oklahoma St., Scott has six carries, 140 yards, 2 TDs in 3rd quarter Sept. 27 Saturday, Oct. 25 Shotwell Stadium Abilene, TX 2 p.m. KYYW 1470 AM Wildcats back home to host Texans in key LSC contest ABILENE The ACU Wildcats return to Shotwell Stadium Saturday to host Lone Star Conference South Division rival Tarleton State in a key contest that will go a long way toward determining the conference and division champion for The Wildcats are 7-0 overall and in first place in the LSC at 6-0 and in the LSC South Division at 3-0. Tarleton State is 7-1 overall and tied with West Texas A&M for second place in both the LSC (5-1) and in the LSC South (2-1). An ACU win over the Texans would give the Wildcats their first 8-0 start to a season since 1950, when they finished The 1950 campaign is the only unblemished season in ACU history. The Texans have dominated the recent series between the teams, winning seven of the last 10 games, including four straight wins over ACU in Abilene. The last time the Wildcats beat the Texans at Shotwell Stadium was in 1997 when they won, The visiting team has had the upper hand in the last five contests, with ACU * def. Eastern New Mexico, ACU defense limits Greyhounds to 215 total yards Oct. 4 # def. East Central, 66-7 ACU scores most points ever at Shotwell Stadium Oct. 11 * def. Angelo State, 51-7 Knox sets single-game record with 232 rec. yards Oct. 18 * def. #4 West Texas A&M, Scott records 409 all-purpose yards, 3 TDs Oct. 25 * ^ vs. #16 Tarleton State Road team has won last five in this series LB Fred Thompson winning three times in Stephenville and the Texans winning twice in Abilene since The Wildcats are coming off last Saturday s win at No. 4 West Texas A&M, their second road win over a top-four team this season (44-27 at then-no. 3 Northwest Missouri State on Aug. 30). ACU s win pushed the Wildcats to No. 1 in Super Regional Four and No. 2 in the nation. Running back Bernard Scott had 409 yards of all-purpose yards with 268 yards and two touchdowns on the ground and 141 yards and one touchdown receiving. Scott who also became ACU s all-time leading rusher in the game and now has 3,284 yards in only 20 games as a Wildcat broke his own LSC single-game record for all-purpose yards. Nov. 1 * at Texas A&M-Kingsville ACU has won 4 straight after 20 straight losses Nov. 8 * vs. Midwestern State ACU hasn t beaten MSU at home since 2003 Home games in bold * LSC South Division game * LSC Crossover game ^ Homecoming Tarleton State at ACU Page 1

3 Date / Time: Saturday, Oct. 25 / 2 p.m. Location: Abilene, TX (Shotwell Stadium) Radio: KYYW 1470 AM The Series: ACU leads Record 7-0 overall 6-0 LSC 3-0 LSC South Rankings #1 in Super Region Four #2 by AFCA #2 by d2football.com Last Game def. Tarleton State, Head Coach Chris Thomsen Career (4th season) ACU (4th season) vs. WTAM 2-1 Key Fact THE FACTS: TARLETON STATE AT ACU ABILENE CHRISTIAN The last time the Wildcats reached 8-0 came in 1950 when The Singing Christians finished the season 11-0, the only unblemished record in program history. Since then, the best start to a season by an ACU team came in 2006 when the Wildcats started 6-0 before a loss to Tarleton State ACU 70, Tarleton State Tarleton State 37, ACU ACU 18, Tarleton State ACU 31, Tarleton State Tarleton State 41, ACU Tarleton State 12, ACU Tarleton State 52, ACU Tarleton State 15, ACU Tarleton State 14, ACU Tarleton State 33, ACU ACU 23, Tarleton State ACU 20, Tarleton State ACU 38, Tarleton State ACU 57, Tarleton State ACU 35, Tarleton State 21 Score Opponent vs. Daniel Baker (Nov. 25, 1920) (3 ot).... vs. Chadron State (Nov. 24, 2007) vs. Tarleton State (Oct. 27, 2007) vs. Randolph AFB (Oct. 14, 1922) vs. East Central (Oct. 4, 2008) vs. Howard Payne (Nov. 27, 1952) vs. Eastern New Mexico (Oct. 10, 1970) vs. Angelo State (Nov. 23, 1968) vs. SE Oklahoma State (Sept. 20, 2008) vs. Texas A&M-Kingsville (Nov. 3, 2007) vs. Northeastern State (Oct. 6, 2007) vs. McMurry (Oct. 20, 1951) vs. Tarleton State (Oct. 23, 1993) vs. Stephen F. Austin State (Oct. 6, 1973) vs. Eastern New Mexico (Sept. 27, 2008) vs. Mesa State (Nov. 17, 2007) vs. Howard Payne (Nov. 21, 1981) TARLETON STATE Record 7-1 overall 5-1 LSC 2-1 LSC South Rankings #7 in Super Region Four #16 by AFCA #17 by d2football.com Last Game def. ENMU, Head Coach Sam McElroy Career (4th year) TSU (4th year) vs. ACU 1-2 Key Fact TARLETON STATE SERIES ACU leads Tarleton has dominated the series against ACU since 1998, winning seven of 10 games against the Wildcats. The Texans have also won four straight games in Abilene, outscoring the Wildcats by an average margin of in those four games ACU 56, Tarleton State ACU 49, Tarleton State ACU 21, Tarleton State Tarleton State 7, ACU ACU 6, Tarleton State ACU 19, Tarleton State ACU 6, Tarleton State ACU 13, Tarleton State ACU 18, Tarleton State ACU 19, Tarleton State Tarleton State 12, ACU ACU 6, Tarleton State ACU 13, Tarleton State ACU 0, Tarleton State 0 MOST POINTS SCORED BY ACU IN SINGLE GAME vs. Tarleton State (Nov. 9, 1974) vs. Sam Houston State (Nov. 15, 1975) vs. Texas-Arlington (Nov. 9, 1963) vs. McMurry (Sept. 11, 1971) vs. Arkansas State (Nov. 20, 1954) vs. Austin College (Nov. 21, 1942) vs. Wext Texas A&M (Oct. 18, 2005) vs. Angelo State (Oct. 13, 2007) vs. Eastern New Mexico (Oct. 2, 1993) vs. Angelo State (Oct. 11, 2008) vs. SE Oklahoma State (Sept. 16, 2006) vs. West Texas A&M (Oct. 22, 1994) vs. West Texas A&M (Nov. 12, 1988) vs. Stephen F. Austin (Oct. 9, 1976) vs. Angelo State (Nov. 22, 1969) vs. SW Oklahoma State (Sept. 22, 2007) vs. Howard Payne (Sept. 29, 1968) vs. Austin College (Nov. 10, 1951) TEAM COMPARISON ACU TSU Points scored Points scored per game Points allowed Points allowed per game First downs First downs per game First downs allowed First downs allowed / game Rushing yards 1,480 1,638 Rushing yards per game Rushing touchdowns Rushing defense Rushing yards allowed / game Rushing touchdowns allowed 8 5 Passing yards 2,387 1,536 Passing yards per game Passing touchdowns Passing yards allowed 1,565 1,513 Passing yards allowed / game Passing touchdowns allowed 7 12 Total offense 3,867 3,174 Total yards per game Total defense 2,037 2,197 Total yards allowed / game Int. Thrown / Opp. Int. Thrown 5 / 14 6 / 6 Sacks by / Allowed 25 / 4 20 / 7 Kickoff return avg Punt return avg Fumbles lost / recovered 4 / 16 4 / 10 Turnover Margin plus-21 plus-6 Penalties Time of Possession per game 28:22 30:33 3rd Down Conversions 33-of of-96 3rd Down Defense 20-of of-117 4th Down Conversions 7-of-12 7-of-15 4th Down Defense 11-of of-20 TRACKING DANIEAL MANNING Former ACU all-america defensive back Daniel Manning and his Chicago Bears teammates improved to 4-3 Sunday with a win over Minnesota in Chicago. The Bears used a Danieal Manning pair of Vikings special teams miscues to score 14 points on special teams. Manning missed the game, however, with an injured hamstring, an injury he suffered in the first half of the previous week s loss at Atlanta. For the season, Manning has 10 tackles (eight solo) and one sack on defense and he has returned eight kickoffs for 210 yards, averaging 26.3 yards per return with a long return of 46 yards. The Bears are open this week and will return to action on Sunday, Nov. 2, when they take on the Lions in Chicago at noon. Tarleton State at ACU Page 2

4 SCOUTING THE ACU OFFENSE ACU running back Bernard Scott became ACU s all-time leading rusher in Saturday night s win over West Texas A&M, passing all-time Wildcat great Wilbert Montgomery, who rushed for 3,047 yards from Scott broke Montgomery s record in only 20 games and will carry 3,284 career yards into Saturday s game against Tarleton State. In those 20 games, Scott is averaging an astounding yards per game on the ground. Scott has scored 57 touchdowns in his ACU career, which leaves him 14 touchdowns short of breaking Montgomery s all-time ACU touchdowns record of 70. Scott s 268-yard effort against the Buffaloes was the fourth 200-yard rushing game of his career and his 12th straight 100-yard rushing game. In two games this season against two top-four teams (Northwest Missouri State and West Texas A&M), Scott has carried the ball 55 times for a combined 445 yards and four touchdowns, averaging yards per game and 8.1 yards per carry. Scott did not have a 100-yard receiving game in his career before this season, but in seven games of the 2008 season he has three 100-yard receiving games, including a 141-yard effort in Saturday s win over the Buffaloes. Scott s 409 all-purpose yards in the win over West Texas A&M broke his own Lone Star Conference single-game record and was the fourth game of his career with at least 300 all-purpose yards. The old LSC and ACU record for all-purpose yards in a game was the 388 yards that he had in last season s NCAA Division II playoff game against Chadron State (Neb.). In 31 career collegiate games (freshman season was at Central Arkansas in 2004), Scott has rushed for 4,310 yards (139.0 ypg) and scored 59 touchdowns while posting 1,199 yards and nine touchdowns receiving. Quarterback Billy Malone added another LSC career record to his impressive resume Saturday night as he broke former Angelo State QB Ned Cox s ( ) record for attempts. Malone has thrown 1,218 passes in his career, breaking the old mark of 1,205. With three touchdown passes against the Buffs, Malone now has 102 for his career, the 11th-best career mark in Division II history. Malone is just the 13th quarterback in NCAA Division II history to throw at least 100 touchdown passes in a career. Malone has thrown a touchdown pass in 32 straight games and in 38 of his 40 career games. He has 31 career multi-touchdown games, 10 games with at least four touchdown passes and four games with at least five touchdown passes, including back-to-back five-touchdown games earlier this season. Malone has led ACU to 40 or more points 22 times as the Wildcats starting Scott Malone quarterback and ACU is 21-1 in those games, losing only the triple-overtime heartbreaker to Chadron State (Neb.) last November in the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs. Since 2006, Malone has led ACU to a 14-3 record on the road with the only regular-season loss coming on Sept. 1, 2007, in a season-opening loss at Central Oklahoma. ACU has won nine straight regular-season road games. Malone s 386-yard game last week against West Texas A&M was his school-record 18th career 300-yard game. ACU is 13-5 in the games in which Malone throws for at least 300 yards. Malone is now 2-3 in five career games against West Texas A&M and has thrown for 1,468 yards (his highest total against any team in his career) and completed 106 of 194 passes for 13 touchdowns (his highest total against any team in his career). Wide receiver Johnny Knox posted his second straight 200-yard receiving game of the season with 10 catches for 203 yards and two touchdowns against BILLY MALONE GAME-BY-GAME ACU quarterback Billy Malone is the Lone Star Conference s all-time leader in every major passing category, including completions, attempts, yards and touchdowns. He s also the LSC s all-time leader in total offense and total offense per game. Here is a look at Malone s game-by-game performance in his four seasons as the Wildcats starting quarterback: 2005 Season Date Opponent Result C-A-I Yds. TD Long Sept. 3 Central Oklahoma L, td Sept. 10 at Northeastern State W, Sept. 17 Texas A&M-Commerce W, Sept. 24 Eastern New Mexico L, td Oct. 1 at SE Oklahoma State L, td Oct. 8 at Angelo State L, td Oct. 15 West Texas A&M L, Oct. 22 at Tarleton State W, Nov. 5 at Midwestern State L, td Totals , td 2006 Season Date Opponent Result C-A-I Yds. TD Long Sept. 7 Central Oklahoma W, Sept. 16 at SE Oklahoma State W, Sept. 23 SW Oklahoma State W, Sept. 30 at Eastern New Mexico W, Oct. 7 at Northeastern State W, td Oct. 14 Angelo State W, Oct. 19 at West Texas A&M W, td Oct. 28 Tarleton State L, td Nov. 4 at A&M-Kingsville W, td Nov. 11 Midwestern State L, td Nov. 18 at West Texas A&M L, (ot) Totals , td 2007 Season Date Opponent Result C-A-I Yds. TD Long Sept. 1 at Central Oklahoma L, td Sept. 8 at Texas State W, td Sept. 15 SE Oklahoma State W, Sept. 22 at SW Oklahoma State W, Sept. 29 Eastern New Mexico W, Oct. 6 Northeastern State W, td Oct. 13 at Angelo State W, td Oct. 20 West Texas A&M L, Oct. 27 at Tarleton State W, td Nov. 3 Texas A&M-Kingsville W, td Nov. 10 at Midwestern State W, td Nov. 17 Mesa State W, td * Nov. 24 at Chadron State L, (3 ot) td Totals , td 2008 Season Date Opponent Result C-A-I Yds. TD Long Aug. 30 at NW Missouri State W, td Sept. 13 Texas A&M-Commerce W, td Sept. 20 at SE Oklahoma State W, Sept. 27 at Eastern New Mexico W, td Oct. 4 East Central W, td Oct. 11 Angelo State W, td Oct. 18 at West Texas A&M W, Oct. 25 Tarleton State Nov. 1 at Texas A&M-Kingsville Nov. 8 Midwestern State Totals , td Career Totals 762-1, , td Tarleton State at ACU Page 3

5 BILLY MALONE BY THE NUMBERS Career TD Passes vs. Team West Texas A&M Angelo State Eastern New Mexico SE Oklahoma State Midwestern State Central Oklahoma Northeastern State Tarleton State SW Oklahoma State East Central Texas A&M-Kingsville Chadron State (Neb.) Texas A&M-Commerce Northwest Missouri State Mesa State (Colo.) Texas State TD Passes to Receiver Johnny Knox Jerale Badon John Brock Bernard Scott Robb Spells Chris Conklin Edmund Gates Chris Morris Tyjuan Manning Kebron Lampkin Kendrick Holloway Taber Minner Caleb Stone Rodney Freeman Jonathan Ferguson Clinton Farrell Trey Simeone Career Yards vs. Team 1,468.. West Texas A&M 1,267.. Angelo State 1,186.. SE Oklahoma State Angelo State Eastern New Mexico Midwestern State Central Oklahoma Texas A&M-Kingsville Northeastern State Tarleton State Texas A&M-Commerce SW Oklahoma State Chadron State East Central Northwest Missouri State Mesa State Texas State Touchdowns by Yards 92 to Robb Spells vs. Central Oklahoma, to John Brock vs. West Texas A&M, to Robb Spells vs. Central Oklahoma, 2005 to Kebron Lampkin vs. Northeastern State, 2007 to Johnny Knox vs. Mesa State, to Edumnd Gates vs. Eastern New Mexico, to Chris Morris vs. Texas A&M-Kingsville, to Jerale Badon vs. Central Oklahoma, 2007 to Johnny Knox vs. Tarleton State, to Robb Spells vs. Angelo State, 2005 to John Brock vs. West Texas A&M, to Edmund Gates vs. East Central, 2008 to Robb Spells vs. Midwestern State, to Jerale Badon vs. Texas A&M-Kingsville, to Jonathan Ferguson vs. NW Missouri State, to Johnny Knox vs. Angelo State, to Johnny Knox vs. Angelo State, to Robb Spells vs. Midwestern State, to Edmund Gates vs. Angelo State, to Robb Spells vs. Eastern New Mexico, 2005 to Jerale Badon vs. SE Oklahoma State, 2005 to Bernard Scott vs. Chadron State, to Bernard Scott vs. East Central, to Jerale Badon vs. Angelo State, to Chris Conklin vs. Northeastern State, 2006 to Johnny Knox vs. Texas A&M-Kingsville, to Johnny Knox vs. Angelo State, to Edmund Gates vs. SE Oklahoma State, to Johnny Knox vs. Texas A&M-Kingsville, to Johnny Knox vs. Texas State, to Johnny Knox vs. West Texas A&M, to Chris Conklin vs. SE Oklahoma State, to Chris Morris vs. Texas A&M-Commerce, to Bernard Scott vs. West Texas A&M, 2008 to Rodney Freeman vs. Midwestern State, 2007 to Bernard Scott vs. Texas A&M-Commerce, to Jerale Badon vs. SW Oklahoma State, 2007 to Bernard Scott vs. SW Oklahoma State, to Tyjuan Manning vs. West Texas A&M, to Johnny Knox vs. Angelo State, 2008 to Robb Spells vs. Angelo State, 2005 to Tyjuan Manning vs. West Texas A&M, to Bernard Scott vs. Texas A&M-Kingsville, to John Brock vs. Tarleton State, 2006 to Jerale Badon vs. Mesa State, to Taber Minner vs. Tarleton State, 2006 to Jerale Badon vs. Midwestern State, to Taber Minner vs. Texas A&M-Commerce, 2005 to Jerale Badon vs. Chadron State, to Bernard Scott vs. East Central, 2008 to Johnny Knox vs. Texas State, to Johnny Knox vs. West Texas A&M, 2008 to Edmund Gates vs. East Central, 2008 to Jerale Badon vs. SW Oklahoma State, 2007 to Jerale Badon vs. Midwestern State, to Rodney Freeman vs. Northeastern State, to Johnny Knox vs. West Texas A&M, 2008 to Johnny Knox vs. Tarleton State, 2007 to Johnny Knox vs. SE Oklahoma State, to Bernard Scott vs. East Central, 2008 to Chris Conklin vs. SW Oklahoma State, to Jerale Badon vs. Northeastern State, 2006 to Chris Conklin vs. West Texas A&M, 2006 to Johnny Knox vs. Northeastern State, 2007 to Jonathan Ferguson vs. SE Oklahoma State, to Edmund Gates vs. Eastern New Mexico, 2008 to Chris Morris vs. SW Oklahoma State, to Jerale Badon vs. Tarleton State, to John Brock vs. West Texas A&M, 2006 to Kebron Lampkin vs. Northeastern State, to Johnny Knox vs. Mesa State, to Tyjuan Manning vs. Eastern New Mexico, 2006 to Kebron Lampkin vs. Eastern New Mexico, 2007 to Kendrick Holloway vs. Chadron State, to Jerale Badon vs. Central Oklahoma, 2005 to Johnny Knox vs. Chadron State, to Bernard Scott vs. Texas State, to John Brock vs. Midwestern State, 2006 to Johnny Knox vs. Eastern New Mexico, to John Brock vs. Tarleton State, 2006 to Johnny Knox vs. SE Oklahoma State, to John Brock vs. West Texas A&M, 2005 to Johnny Knox vs. Mesa State, to Johnny Knox vs. Chadron State, 2007 to Johnny Knox vs. NW Missouri State, to Clinton Farrell vs. SE Oklahoma State, 2005 to Chris Conklin vs. SW Oklahoma State, 2007 to Johnny Knox vs. Eastern New Mexico, 2007 to Chris Conklin vs. Eastern New Mexico, to Kendrick Holloway vs. Angelo State, 2005 to John Brock vs. SE Oklahoma State, 2006 to John Brock vs. Angelo State, to Caleb Stone vs. SE Oklahoma State, 2005 to Chris Morris vs. Central Oklahoma, 2006 to Johnny Knox vs. Central Oklahoma, to Chris Conklin vs. Texas A&M-Commerce, 2005 to John Brock vs. West Texas A&M, 2006 to Caleb Stone vs. West Texas A&M, 2006 to Ryan Keeling vs. NW Missouri State, to John Brock vs. Midwestern State, to Trey Simeone vs. SE Oklahoma State, 2006 to Kendrick Holloway vs. NW Missouri State, 2008 Career Passing Stats vs. Team Opponent Games Comp Att Int Pct. Mesa State East Central Northwest Missouri State SE Oklahoma State Northeastern State SW Oklahoma State Angelo State Texas State Tarleton State Eastern New Mexico Texas A&M-Commerce Chadron State Texas A&M-Kingsville Midwestern State West Texas A&M Central Oklahoma TOTALS 762 1, Tarleton State at ACU Page 4

6 BILLY MALONE IN NCAA DIVISION II HISTORY Career Completions 1. Andrew Webb, Fort Lewis ( ) , Scott Eyster, Delta State ( ) ,001 (tie) Chris Hatcher, Valdosta State ( ) , Joey Conrad, Glenville State ( ) Mike Reilly, Central Washington (2005-present) Jimmy Terwilliger, East Stroudsburg, Pa. ( ) Anthony Lindsey, St. Joseph s, Ind. ( ) Todd Cunningham, Presbyterian ( ) Mike Mitros, West Chester ( ) Tolby Korrodi, Central Missouri ( ) Jarrod Furgason, Fairmont State ( ) Marc Eddy, Bentley ( ) Cullen Finnerty, Grand Valley State ( ) Chad Friehauf, Colorado School of Mines ( ) Billy Malone, Abilene Christian (2005-present) Career Attempts 1. Andrew Webb, Fort Lewis ( ) , Joey Conrad, Glenville State ( ) , Scott Eyster, Delta State ( ) , Jimmy Terwilliger, East Stroudsburg ( ) , Anthony Lindsey, St. Joseph s ( ) , Chris Hatcher, Valdosta State ( ) , Earl Harvey, North Carolina Central ( ) , Mike Reilly, Central Washington (2005-present) , Mike Mitros, West Chester ( ) , Jarrod Furgason, Fairmont State ( ) , Marc Eddy, Bentley ( ) , Todd Cunningham, Presbyterian ( ) , Toby Konrodi, Central Missouri ( ) , Cullen Finnerty, Grand Valley State ( ) , Keith Heckendorf, St. Cloud State ( ) , Kasey Waterman, Missouri Western ( ) , Andy Breault, Kutztown ( ) , David Knighton, Hardin ( ) , Drew Folmar, Millersville ( ) , Billy Malone, Abilene Christian (2005-present) , Andrew Webb, Fort Lewis ( ) , Justin Coleman, Nebraska-Kearney ( ) , Mike Reilly, Central Washington (2005-present) , Billy Malone, Abilene Christian (2005-present) , Ben King, Minnesota State-Mankato ( , 06-07) ,035 (tie) Marc Eddy, Bentley ( ) , Todd Cunningham, Presbyterian ( ) , Cullen Finnerty, Grand Valley State ( ) ,905 Career Touchdown Passes 1. Jimmy Terwilliger, East Stroudsburg ( ) Marc Eddy, Bentley ( ) Scott Eyster, Delta State ( ) (tie) Chris Hatcher, Valdosta State ( ) Curt Anes, Grand Valley State ( ) Toby Korrodi, Central Missouri/Northern State ( ) Todd Cunningham, Presbyterian ( ) Cullen Finnerty, Grand Valley State ( ) Mike Reilly, Central Washington ( ) Joey Conrad, Glenville State ( ) Billy Malone, Abilene Christian ( ) Career Total Offense 1. Jimmy Terwilliger, East Stroudsburg ( ) , Scott Eyster, Delta State ( ) , Cullen Finnerty, Grand Valley State ( ) , Joey Conrad, Glenville State ( ) , James McNear, Concordia-St. Paul ( ) , Mike Reilly, Central Washington ( ) , Curt Anes, Grand Valley State ( ) , Andrew Webb, Fort Lewis ( ) , Todd Cunningham, Presbyterian ( ) , Vernon Buck, Wingate ( ) , Billy Malone, Abilene Christian ( ) , Bob McLaughlin, Lock Haven ( ) , Marc Eddy, Bentley ( ) ,819 Career Yards 1. Jimmy Terwilliger, East Stroudsburg ( ) , Scott Eyster, Delta State ( ) , Joey Conrad, Glenville State ( ) ,884 JOHNNY KNOX GAME-BY-GAME Senior wide receiver Johnny Knox set Lone Star Conference and ACU single-season records with 17 touchdown receptions in Here is a look at Knox s game-by-game performance: 2007 Season Date Opponent Result No. Yards TD Long Sept. 1 at Central Oklahoma L, Sept. 8 at Texas State W, td Sept. 15 SE Oklahoma State W, Sept. 22 at SW Oklahoma State W, Sept. 29 Eastern New Mexico W, Oct. 6 Northeastern State W, Oct. 13 at Angelo State W, Oct. 20 West Texas A&M L, Oct. 27 at Tarleton State W, td Nov. 3 Texas A&M-Kingsville W, td Nov. 10 at Midwestern State W, * Nov. 17 Messa State W, td * Nov. 24 at Chadron State L, (3 ot) td Totals 62 1, td 2008 Season Date Opponent Result No. Yards TD Long Aug. 30 NW Missouri State W, td Sept. 13 Texas A&M-Commerce W, Sept. 20 at SE Oklahoma State W, Sept. 27 at Eastern New Mexico W, Oct. 4 East Central W, Oct. 11 Angelo State W, td Oct. 18 at West Texas A&M W, Oct. 25 Tarleton State Nov. 1 at Texas A&M-Kingsville Nov. 8 Midwestern State Totals td Career Totals 97 1, td Tarleton State at ACU Page 5

7 West Texas A&M. Knox is only the second Wildcat receiver in program history to post two career 200-yard receiving games, and, interestingly, both receivers posted those games in back-to-back weeks. On Nov. 7, 1981, Quinton Smith set the ACU school record for receiving yards with 220 yards and one touchdown on 11 catches against Sam Houston State. The next week, Nov. 14, Smith had 221 yards and one touchdowns on 11 catches against Southwest Texas State. Knox had 232 yards and four touchdowns on six catches two weeks ago against Angelo State, and last week against WTAM he had another 203 yards and two touchdowns on 10 catches. Prior to the last two weeks, Knox had just 19 catches for 298 yards and two touchdowns through the Wildcats first five games. In his last two games, Knox has registered 16 catches for 435 yards and six touchdowns to bring his season totals to 35 catches for 733 yards and eight touchdowns. Knox is now second on ACU s career touchdowns list with 25 and trails all-time leader Arthur Culpepper ( ) by two touchdowns for the all-time lead.... Knox is ninth on the school s career yardage chart with 1,891 yards and needs 44 yards to pass Greg Stirman (1,934 yards from ) for eighth all-time and 56 yards to pass Richard Williams (1,946 yards from ) for seventh all-time.... The ACU offensive line didn t allow a sack in the win over the Buffs and has allowed just four sacks on the season. In the Wildcats last 31 games (dating back to the start of the 2006 season), the Wildcats have allowed only 24 sacks (0.78 per game). Senior center Sam Collins started his 41st straight game Saturday night against West Texas A&M (he s started every game of his career), while Malone started his 32nd straight game under center. Knox Collins SCOUTING THE ACU DEFENSE The ACU defense held the nation s top-ranked offense in West Texas A&M to 59 yards and 13 points below its season averages in the Wildcats victory. Junior defensive back Craig Harris led a defensive secondary that picked off three passes against the nation s leading passer in Keith Null and forced two fumbles. Harris had a pair of interceptions and one fumble recovery, while Alex Harbison had the other interception. Eleven different ACU players have recorded the team s 14 interceptions on the season with Drew 2004 Season (Central Arkansas) Rushing Receiving Date Opponent Result Att. Yards TD Long No. Yards TD Long Aug. 28 at Eastern New Mexico W, Sept. 4 Iowa Wesleyan W, Sept. 11 at Southern Arkansas W, Sept. 18 at Henderson State W, Sept. 25 Valdosta State L, Oct. 2 at North Alabama L, Oct. 9 Harding W, Oct. 16 at Delta State W, Oct. 23 Ouachita Baptist W, Oct. 30 at Arkansas-Monticello L, Nov. 6 Arkansas Tech W, (ot) Totals 163 1, Season (ACU) BERNARD SCOTT GAME-BY-GAME ACU senior running back Bernard Scott put together the greatest season by a Wildcat running back in program history in 2007, and that s saying something considering freshman Wilbert Montgomery led the Wildcats to an NAIA Division I national championship in But not even Montgomery could top Scott s 2,165 yards and 39 touchdowns. Malone set two NCAA Division II single-season records in 2007 (points scored with 234 and touchdowns scored with 39). Scott surpassed Montgomery s school rushing record after just 20 games. He needs 20 more touchdowns in 2008 to break the LSC and ACU career touchdown mark (76 by Montgomery from ), and he needs 117 points to break the LSC and ACU career scoring record of 458 points, set by Montgomery. Here is a look at Scott s game-by-game performance, including his 2004 freshman season at Central Arkansas: Rushing Receiving Date Opponent Result Att. Yards TD Long No. Yards TD Long Sept. 1 at Central Oklahoma L, Sept. 8 at Texas State W, td td Sept. 15 SE Oklahoma State W, Sept. 22 at SW Oklahoma State W, td Sept. 29 Eastern New Mexico W, Oct. 6 Northeastern State W, Oct. 13 at Angelo State W, td Oct. 20 West Texas A&M L, Oct. 27 at Tarleton State W, td Nov. 3 Texas A&M-Kingsville W, td td Nov. 10 at Midwestern State W, * Nov. 17 Mesa State W, td * Nov. 24 at Chadron State L, (3 ot) td td Totals 251 2, td td 2008 Season (ACU) Rushing Receiving Date Opponent Result Att. Yards TD Long No. Yards TD Long Aug. 30 NW Missouri State W, Sept. 13 Texas A&M-Commerce W, td Sept. 20 at SE Oklahoma State W, td Sept. 27 at Eastern New Mexico W, td Oct. 4 East Central W, td td Oct. 11 Angelo State W, Oct. 18 at West Texas A&M W, td Oct. 25 Tarleton State Nov. 1 at Texas A&M-Kingsville Nov. 8 Midwestern State Totals 143 1, td ACU Career Totals 394 3, td 74 1, Career Totals 557 4, td 84 1, Tarleton State at ACU Page 6

8 Cuffee s three interceptions leading the way for the Wildcats. ACU s defense, which is allowing just yards and 15.9 points per game, has forced 30 turnovers this season, including 16 fumbles. While the Wildcats didn t score a defensive touchdown for the first time since the first game of the season, their five takeaways led to 21 offensive points. Part of ACU s defensive success against the Buffs can be attributed to its play on third down. The Buffs entered the game having converted 50.1 percent of their third-down conversions on the season (48 of 95), but against the Wildcats they were just 2 of 8. They hit on just 1 of 3 fourth-down conversions, leaving them 3 for 11 on third and fourth down. ACU s bookend defensive ends, Aston Whiteside and Vantrise Studivant, each had a sack of Null in the game, and each sack was for a loss of nine yards. Senior inside linebacker Mike Kern had 11 tackles in the win over the Buffs to push him into the team lead in tackles with 37 (16 solo). Whiteside continues to lead the Wildcats in sacks with 6.0 (for 55 yards in losses), while Studivant leads the team in tackles for loss with 9.5 for 47 yards in losses. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES The Wildcats are 7-0 for the second time in head coach Chris Thomsen s four years with ACU. In 2006 the Wildcats started 7-0 on their way to an 8-3 campaign that ended with the program s first appearance in the NCAA Division II playoffs.... In 87 seasons of Wildcat football, only four teams have scored more points in a full season than the 2008 Wildcats have scored in only six games. ACU has scored 373 points (an NCAA Division II-best of 53.3 points per game). ACU has scored at least 42 points in 12 straight games. The last time the Wildcats failed to score at least 42 points was Oct. 20, 2007, when they lost to West Texas A&M in Abilene. The Wildcats scored 52 points last Saturday in their win over West Texas A&M, the 35th time in ACU football history that the Wildcats have topped the half-century mark in a game. However, 13 of those point games have occurred since 2006, and ACU has scored at least 50 points in 12 of their last 17 games dating back to the fourth week of the 2007 season. ACU s offense leads the Lone Star Conference in points per game (53.3) NCAA DIVISION II SUPER REGIONAL FOUR POLL (Monday, Oct. 12) Team Record 1. Abilene Christian Northwest Missouri State Pittsburg State, Kan West Texas A&M Central Missouri Central Washington Tarleton State Midwestern State Texas A&M-Kingsville Washburn, Kan and its defense leads the LSC in scoring defense at 15.9 ppg, giving ACU an NCAA Division II-best point differential of plus-37.4 ppg. ACU had five more takeaways last Saturday night against West Texas A&M (three interceptions, two fumbles), and it now has a plus-21 turnover margin on the season (30 takeaways against just nine turnovers). ACU has turned those 30 turnovers into 135 points, while ACU s opponents have only scored seven points on the Wildcats nine turnovers. AFCA TOP 25 OCTOBER 21, 2008 POLL School (1st place votes)......record Points 1. Grand Valley State (Mich.) (23) Abilene Christian (3) Northwest Missouri State Bloomsburg (Pa.) Delta State (Miss.) California (Pa.) (tie) Minnesota-Duluth North Alabama Valdosta State (Ga.) Central Washington West Texas A&M Tuskegee (Ala.) Chadron State (Neb.) (tie) Pittsburg State (Kan.) Edinboro (Pa.) Tarleton State Carson-Newman (Tenn.) Central Missouri American International (Mass.) Wingate (N.C.) Indiana (Pa.) West Virginia State Ashland (Ohio) West Chester (Pa.) Midwestern State Dropped out of poll: Seton Hill (Pa.) (19), Albany St. (Ga.) (20), Nebraska-Omaha (22). Others receiving votes: Seton Hill (Pa.), 44; Fayetteville St. (N.C.), 33; Michigan Tech, 25; Arkansas-Monticello, 22; Albany St. (Ga.), 20; Mesa St. (Colo.), 13; Newberry (S.C.), 11; Colorado School of Mines, 10; North Carolina-Pembroke, 9; Wayne St. (Mich.), 5; East Stroudsburg (Pa.), 4; Washburn (Kan.), 3; Catawba (N.C.), 1; Charleston (W.Va.), 1; Elizabeth City St. (N.C.), 1; Hillsdale (Mich.), 1. d2football.com TOP 25 OCTOBER 21, 2008 POLL School Record 1. Grand Valley State (Mich.) Abilene Christian Northwest Missouri State Delta State (Miss.) Central Washington Bloomsburg (Pa.) Valdosta State (Ga.) North Alabama Minnesota-Duluth California (Pa.) West Texas A&M Tuskegee (Ala.) Chadron State (Neb.) Pittsburg State (Kan.) Edinboro (Pa.) Carson-Newman (Tenn.) Tarleton State Central Missouri Ashland (Ohio) Indiana (Pa.) West Virginia State American International (Mass.) Wingate (N.C.) West Chester (Pa.) Mesa Stae (Colo.) Tarleton State at ACU Page 7

9 THE LAST TIME an overtime game was played * Nov. 24, 2007 Chadron State 76, ACU 73 (3 ot) a tie game was played Oct. 19, 1985 ACU 24, Northwest Missouri State 24 a shutout occurred by ACU vs. Eastern New Mexico, 21-0 (30 Sept 2006); vs. ACU by Angelo State (13 Oct 2001) a punt was returned for a touchdown by ACU 57 yards, Danieal Manning vs. Texas A&M-Commerce (17 Sept 2005) vs. ACU 85 yards, by Chad McGaugh, Central Oklahoma (11 Oct 2003) * NCAA Division II playoff game a team gained more than 600 yards of total offense by ACU 687 yards vs. West Texas A&M (18 Oct 2008) vs. ACU * 716 yards by Chadron State (24 Nov 2007) a team passed for less than 100 yards by ACU 74 yards vs. Texas A&M-Commerce (23 Oct 2004) vs. ACU 68 yards, Angelo State (11 Oct 2008) a team rushed for less than 100 yards by ACU 91 yards vs. West Texas A&M (20 Oct 2007) vs. ACU 65 yards, West Texas A&M (18 Oct 2008) minus-9 yards, East Central (04 Oct 2008); 16 yards, Eastern New Mexico (27 Sept 2008) 83 yards, SE Oklahoma State (20 Sept 2008); 60 yards, Texas A&M-Commerce (13 Sept 2008) a punt was blocked by ACU Fred Thompson vs. Northeastern State (06 Oct 2007); vs. ACU Freddie Harris, Central Oklahoma (01 Sept 2007) a blocked punt was returned for a touchdown by ACU Chris Morris vs. NE State (10 Sept 205) vs. ACU by John Lewis, Tarleton State (20 Oct 2001) a fumble was returned for a touchdown by ACU 0 yards, Richard Havins vs. East Central (04 Oct 2008); 3 yards, Casey Carr vs. Eastern New Mexico (27 Sept 2008); 10 yards, Aston Whiteside vs. Eastern New Mexico (27 Sept 2008); 29 yards, Aston Whiteside vs. Texas A&M-Commerce (13 Sept 2008); 35 yards, Mike Kern vs. Texas A&M-Commerce (13 Sept 2008) vs. ACU 26 yards, Jared Brock, West Texas A&M (19 Oct 2006) an interception was returned for a touchdown by ACU 56 yards, Quintin Wilson vs. Angelo State (11 Oct 2008); 99 yards, Mike Kern vs. SE Oklahoma State (20 Sept 2008) vs. ACU 17 yards, Mark Gruner, Mesa State (17 Nov 2007); a kickoff was returned for a touchdown by ACU 78 yards, Danieal Manning vs. Central Oklahoma (03 Sept 2005) vs. ACU 93 yards, Jason Jones, West Texas A&M (16 Oct 2004) an opening kickoff was returned for a touchdown by ACU 95 yards, DaRay Sims vs. Central Arkansas (07 Sept 2002) vs. ACU 85 yards, Darron Johnson, Angelo State (01 Sept 1990) a safety was recorded by ACU Punt snap out of end zone vs. Midwestern State (06 Nov 2004) vs. ACU Rashon Myles tackled in end zone vs. A&M-Commerce (17 Sept 2005); Punt snap out of end zone vs. Texas A&M-Commerce (17 Sept 2005) a field goal was blocked by ACU Aston Whiteside vs. Angelo State (11 Oct 2008) vs. ACU Dexter Manley, West Texas A&M (18 Oct 2008) a team was held to less than 200 yards of offense by ACU 179 yards allowed vs. East Central (04 Oct 2008) vs. ACU 197 yards by Angelo State (09 Oct 2004) a team gained more than 500 yards of total offense by ACU 687 yards vs. West Texas A&M (18 Oct 2008) 595 yards vs. East Central (04 Oct 2008); 560 yards vs. Texas A&M-Commerce (13 Sept 2008); 516 yards vs. NW Missouri State (30 Aug 2008) vs. ACU * 716 yards by Chadron State (24 Nov 2007) a team passed for more than 400 yards by ACU 404 yards vs. Texas A&M-Kingsville (04 Nov 2006) vs. ACU 415 yards, West Texas A&M (18 Oct 2008) a team scored points in one game by ACU 45 points vs. Texas A&M-Commerce (13 Sept 2008) 44 points vs. NW Missouri State (30 Aug 2008) vs. ACU * 76 points by Chadron State (24 Nov 2007) a team scored points in one game by ACU 52 points vs. West Texas A&M (18 Oct 2008) 51 points vs. Angelo State (11 Oct 2008) 56 points vs. Eastern New Mexico (27 Sept 2008) 59 points vs. SE Oklahoma State (20 Sept 2008) vs. ACU * 76 points by Chadron State (24 Nov 2007) a team scored 60 or more points in one game by ACU 66 points vs. East Central (04 Oct 2008) vs. ACU * 76 points by Chadron State (24 Nov 2007) an individual rushed for more than 200 yards by ACU 268 yards by Bernard Scott vs. West Texas A&M (18 Oct 2008) vs. ACU 290 yards by Daniel Polk, Midwestern State (10 Nov 2007) an individual passed for more than 400 yards by ACU 404 yards by Billy Malone vs. A&M-Kingsville (04 Nov 2006) vs. ACU 415 yards by Keith Null, West Texas A&M (18 Oct 2008) an individual scored 3 or more touchdowns by ACU 3 TDs by Bernard Scott vs. West Texas A&M (18 Oct 2008) 4 TDs by Johnny Knox vs. Angelo State (11 Oct 2008); 4 TDs by Bernard Scott vs. East Central (04 Oct 2008) 3 TDs by Bernard Scott vs. ENMU (27 Sept 2008); 3 TDs by Bernard Scott vs. TAMC (13 Sept 2008) vs. ACU * 4 TDs by Danny Woodhead, Chadron State (24 Nov 2007) a team throws 4 or more touchdown passes by ACU 5 passes vs. Angelo State (11 Oct 2008) 5 passes vs. East Central (04 Oct 2008); 4 passes vs. NW Missouri State (30 Aug 2008) vs. ACU 4 passes by West Texas A&M (18 Oct 2008) an individual throws 4 or more touchdown passes by ACU 5 TD passes by Billy Malone vs. Angelo State (11 Oct 2008); 5 TD passes by Billy Malone vs. East Central (04 Oct 2008); 4 TD passes by Billy Malone vs. NW Missouri State (30 Aug 2008) vs. ACU 4 by Keith Null, West Texas A&M (18 Oct 2008) Tarleton State at ACU Page 8

10 CHRIS THOMSEN HEAD COACH FOURTH SEASON When ACU director of athletics Jared Mosley began looking for a new head football coach after the 2004 season, he knew exactly what the program needed. The Wildcats needed to find someone with a link to ACU, someone who could bring a unique offensive vision and be a great recruiter. He found all three in Chris Thomsen, a former ACU all-america at tight end and Wildcat assistant coach, who was hired Jan. 24, 2005, as the 18th head coach in Wildcat football history. Thomsen is entering his fourth season as the head football coach at Abilene Christian University and he does so as the two-time Lone Star Conference South Division Coach of the Year. He has revived the ACU football program, directing the Wildcats to back-to-back NCAA Division II playoff appearances in 2006 and The Wildcats are poised for another big season in 2008, having already been ranked in the nation s top 15 by several different media outlets. Thomsen is in three seasons with the Wildcats, including records of 8-3 in 2006 and 10-3 in He directed ACU to the program s first NCAA Division II playoff appearance in 2006, and its first NCAA post-season victory in 2007 (a win over Mesa State, Colo.). He was named the American Football Coaches Association Region IV Coach of the Year in 2006 after leading the Wildcats to their most wins and first post-season appearance since Last season he led the Wildcats to the program s first 10-win season since the 1977 team went on its way to the NAIA Division I national championship. ACU had one of the nation s most prolific offenses, ranking first in NCAA Division II football in scoring offense (49.2 points per game), second in total offense (544.8 yards per game) and sixth in passing offense (314.0 yards per game). The Wildcats also led the nation in fewest sacks allowed (eight in 13 games, 0.62 sacks per game), and were fourth in fumbles lost (five). In fact, in the last two seasons they have committed just 29 turnovers (losing only eight fumbles) while creating 57 turnovers for a plus-28 turnover margin in their last 24 games. Before becoming the Wildcats head coach, Thomsen, 39, had been an assistant at the University of Central Arkansas the previous two seasons where he served as the offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator for the Bears. Thomsen s vision for the ACU football program is for it to be one where players have success on the field and are prepared to face the real world when they leave ACU. I want our current and future players to know that our mission is to develop them as players, as student-athletes and as men, said Thomsen. We want them to leave here knowing they got the best academic and athletic experience possible and with a tremendous sense of pride from having worn the purple and white. Thomsen played for former ACU head coach Dr. Bob Strader in 1993 and coached under both Strader and Jack Kiser. During his seven seasons, the Wildcats were with three winning seasons. I have a passion for ACU, and I m excited to sell that passion to our players, our recruits, parents, alumni, and our students, faculty and staff, he said. Thomsen, who played high school football in Vernon, was a second team all-america as a senior at ACU in 1993 after leading Lone Star Conference tight ends in receiving with 34 catches for 426 yards and eight touchdowns. He helped the Wildcats finish 7-3 in 1993 on his way to earning first team all-lsc honors. He was named to the school s all-decade team for the 1990s. Prior to transferring to ACU, Thomsen played football three seasons ( ) THE THOMSEN FILE Born: Nov. 7, 1968 Hometown: Vernon Wife: LeAnn College: TCU, 1993 Honors: 2006 LSC South Division Coach of the Year; AFCA Region IV Coach of the Year Playing Experience: Tight end at TCU ( )... Starting first baseman at TCU in 1990 when he hit.373 with 21 home runs and 70 RBI to earn first team all-southwest Conference and all-america honors.... Drafted by the Oakland Athletics and played two seasons of minor league baseball.... Returned to football in 1993 with the ACU Wildcats where he earned second team all-america honors, helping the Wildcats finish 7-3. Coaching Experience 1994 Graduate Asst. Abilene Christian 1995 Offensive Line Abilene Christian 1996 Offensive Line Abilene Christian 1997 Defensive Line Abilene Christian 1998 Off. Coordinator Abilene Christian 1999 Off. Coordinator Abilene Christian 2001 Off. Coordinator Wichita Falls HS 2002 Off. Coordinator Wichita Falls HS 2003 Offensive Line Central Arkansas 2004 Offensive Line Central Arkansas 2005 Head Coach Abilene Christian 2006 Head Coach Abilene Christian 2007 Head Coach Abilene Christian 2008 Head Coach Abilene Christian Tarleton State at ACU Page 9