United Athletic Conference

Sam Houston's Eric Schmid, Abilene Christian's Elijah Moffet and Dixie State's Connor Brooksby have been named TicketSmarter Western Athletic Conference Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week, respectively, for November 8 through November 15.

 

Schmid, a redshirt junior quarterback from The Woodlands, Texas, finished with a season-high 392 yards passing on 27-of-44 attempts as the Bearkats clinched the AQ7 spot in the 2021 FCS Playoffs. Posting a 158.7 efficiency rating, he threw for three touchdowns and added another touchdown rushing as Sam Houston earned a 42-28 win over Eastern Kentucky to punch their ticket with their 19th victory of 2021.

 

Moffett, a redshirt freshman safety from Selma, Texas, led the Wildcat defense in a 29-3 win over rival Tarleton, finishing with seven tackles, two forced fumbles and an interception. His interception came on Tarleton's final offensive play of the game as Moffett still had enough gas in the tank to return the pick 30 yards to allow the Wildcats to ice the clock.

 

Brooksby, a freshman kicker from St. George, Utah, was busy kicking all night as he was 8-for-8 on PATs and made a pair of field goals in DSU's 62-21 win over Fort Lewis, including a 50-yard field goal that is an NCAA-era record for the Trailblazers. He also kicked off 11 times with five touchbacks in front of the home crowd.

 

Other offensive nominees: Abilene Christian's Kobe Clark caught a season-high 11 passes for 81 yards and a scored to eclipse 200 career receptions in a 29-3 win over Tarleton … Dixie State's Drew Kannely-Robles rushed for 158 yards and four touchdowns as the Trailblazers earned their first win of the season with a 62-21 drubbing of Fort Lewis … Stephen F. Austin's Xavier Gipson needed just six catches and 99 yards receiving to score three times as the 'Jacks went on the road to earn a 27-14 win at Central Arkansas.

 

Other defensive nominees: Dixie State's Troy Miller racked up a career-high eight tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss, in the Trailblazers' 62-21 win over Fort Lewis … Sam Houston's Trevor Williams was in the EKU backfield all day, finishing with 11 total tackles, including a pair of tackles-for-loss, as the 'Kats earned a 42-28 win to clinch the AQ7 automatic qualification to the FCS playoffs … Stephen F. Austin's Raysha Nichols recorded seven tackles with a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss as SFA earned a 27-14 road win at Central Arkansas … Tarleton's Jalen Carr had seven tackles, 1.5 TFL and an interception against Abilene Christian in his first game played since Sept. 18.

 

Other special teams nominees: Abilene Christian's Blair Zepeda made 3-of-4 field goals, including a 53-yarder, and was 2-of-2 on extra points as the Wildcats ran past rival Tarleton, 29-3 … Lamar's Bailey Giffen averaged 43.5 yards per punt and also made his only extra point opportunity of the night as the Cardinals fell at home to Jacksonville State, 38-7 … Stephen F. Austin's Chris Campos made a pair of field goals and was 3-for-3 on extra points in the 'Jacks' 27-14 road win at Central Arkansas … Tarleton's Jake Walrath was booming the ball all day as the Texans' punter, including a 74-yarder as he averaged 39.0 yards per kick.

 

It's the final week of regular season play with four games schedule across the conference. In WAC games, top-ranked Sam Houston already has a share of the WAC title but can clinch it outright when they visit Abilene Christian. 22nd-ranked Stephen F. Austin will also be on the road, traveling south to Lamar. Tarleton plays host to Central Arkansas while Dixie State wraps up the season with a tough game against 14th-ranked Missouri State. All four games are available on ESPN+.

 

As a team, Sam Houston leads the WAC in scoring offense (43.2), scoring defense (18.2), touchdowns (53), total offense (487.44), rushing offense (237.67), rushing defense (69.22), yards per rush (6.05), rushing TDs (23), passing TDs (26), fumble return TDs (2), first downs (219), first downs rushing (98), opponent first downs (151), least sacks agaisnt (9) and red zone defense (.727). Stephen F. Austin is the leader in total defense (313.6), pass efficiency (152.6), defensive pass efficiency (110.1), passing offense (295.8), passing defense (193.3), field goals made (20), field goal percentage (.833), puntin average (41.5), punt return average (14.96), punt return TDs (3), interceptions (15), first downs passing (118), third down defense (.319), fourth down conversions (.500), fourth down defense (.250), sacks by (33) and time of possession (32:00). Abilene Christian is the leader in pass completion percentage (.667), fumbles recovered (12) and third-down offense (.460) while Lamar is the leader in least interceptions thrown (5) and red zone offense (.900). Tarleton has the lone kick return TD this season.

 

Individually, SHSU's Ramon Jefferson leads the WAC in rushing (98.44). SFA's Trae Self is the leader in passing average (269.60) and total offense (295.70). SFA's Xavier Gipson is the leader in reception yards per game (123,56), all purpose yards (143.00) and scoring (10.00) while DSU's Jalen Powell is the leader in receptions per game (7.50). When it comes to kicking, SFA's Chris Campos has a WAC-best 20 field goals while teammate Max Quick is the leader in punting (46.76 yards per punt).

 

Defensively, DSU's Tyrell Grayson is the leader in tackles (9.10) and SFA's Rayshad Nichols is the leader in sacks (7.5). SHSU's Markel Perry is the leader in tackles for loss (14.5). SFA's Myles Heard is the leader in fumbles forced (4) while five players share the lead in fumbles recovered with two each. TAR's Devin Hafford is the leader in intereceptions with six.

 

Sam Houston is the consensus number one team in FCS, topping the Stats Perform Top 25, AFCA Coaches' Top 25, College Sports Madness FCS Top 25 and Athlon Sports Top 25. Stephen F. Austin is also a Top 25 team, coming in at 22nd in both the Stats Perform Top 25 and AFCA Coaches' Top 25.

 

With its win over Eastern Kentucy, Sam Houston clinched the AQ7 spot in the FCS Playoffs. Thsi week, they will have a chance to clinch the WAC title outright when they visit Abilene Christian.

 

With its 45-27 win over Tarleton on Oct. 30, Sam Houston set a new collegiate record for wins in a calendar year. The game was the 17th for the Kats in 2021, setting an all-time college football record. Previously four teams – Yale (1894 & 1889), Chicago (1899) and North Dakota State (2019) – had won 16 games in calendar years

 

Stephen F. Austin quarterback Trae Self was named Stats Perform FCS Offensive Player of the Week on Nov. 1 after racking up 346 yards on 32-of-39 attempts for five touchdowns to lead the 'Jacks to a 41-27 win over visiting Abilene Christian on Oct. 30. Posting a 198.9 pass efficiency, he was also efficient on the ground, running the ball nine times for 42 yards.

 

After helping lead Sam Houston to a 21-20 rivalry win over Stephen F. Austin in the Battle of the Piney Woods, senior defensive end Jahari Kay was been named Stats Perform FCS Defensive Player of the Week. He finished with eight tackles (six solos), including 2.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks. He also forced a fumble late in the game and had two quarterback hurries and a pass breakup.  

 

In a rivalry dating back to 1923, the Battle of the Piney Woods lived up to expectations, with top-ranked Sam Houston eeking past Stephen F. Austin, 21-20, to stretch their BOTPW win streak to 10. 

 

Lamar's 17-10 win over Northern Colorado was the WAC's first overtime game of the FCS era and the 59th in the conference's history since college overtime was introduced in 1996. 

 

It's a new era as football returns for the WAC for the first time since 2012, this time at the Football Championship Subdivision. Led by defending FCS national champion Sam Houston, the new incarnation of WAC football will also include Abilene Christian, Dixie State, Lamar, Stephen F. Austin and Tarleton. In 50 years at the FBS level, the WAC was home to the consensus 1984 national champion (Brigham Young), the winner of the 1990 Heisman Trophy (Ty Detmer, QB, Brigham Young) and the first pick of the 2002 NFL Draft (David Carr, QB, Fresno State). 

 

Fresh off winning the tophy, Sam Houston had a pair of players pick up Preseason All-America honors, earning a spot on the Athlon Preseason All-America team. Defensive lineman Jahari Kay and teammate Jequez Ezzard (punt returner) earned the recognition.

 

Seven WAC football players were recognized on the Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America Teams. Kay, Ezzard and Sam Houston defensive back Zyon McCollum earned first team honors. Sam Houston Quarterback Eric Schmid was joined by teammate Joseph Wallace and SFA receiver Xavier Gipson on the second team. SHSU offensive lineman Colby Thomas was a third team selection.

 

Sam Houston quarterback Eric Schmid and wide receiver/returner Jequez Ezzard are among 35 players named to the Walter Payton Award Watch List, which is presented to the top offensive player nationally in collegie football's Division I championship subdivision.

 

On the other side of the ball, SHSU's Jahari Kay and Zyon McCollum are on the watch list for the Buck Buchanan Award, which goes to the top defensive player nationally in FCS.

 

Not looking to shy away from anyone, Dixie State has one of the toughest schedules in FCS, taking on four non-conference opponents that played in last spring's FCS tournament, in addition to traveling to WAC-foe Sam Houston. The four members of the AQ7 will also take on Jacksonville State, who represented the Ohio Valley Conference in the FCS playoffs.

 

Non-Conference Games Against 2020 FCS Playoff Teams

Sep. 11 - Weber State at Dixie State

Oct. 2 - Dixie State at South Dakota State

Oct. 9 - Stephen F. Austin at Jacksonville State (AQ7)

Oct. 23 - Jacksonville State at Sam Houston (AQ7)

Oct. 30 - Dixie State at Delaware

Nov. 6 - Abilene Christian at Jacksonville State (AQ7)

Nov. 13 - Jacksonville State at Lamar (AQ7)

Nov. 20 - Missouri State at Dixie State

 

As part of an expanded multi-year, multi-platform media rights agreement announced on Aug. 24, all home football games in the WAC for the next four years will reside on ESPN platforms. In addition, all home men's and women's basketball, as well as other select events, will be housed on ESPN digital platforms.

 

 With college football returning to the Western Athletic Conference for the first time since 2012, defending national champion Sam Houston is the favorite to win the 2021 WAC title while Bearkats quarterback Eric Schmid and defensive lineman Jahari Kay were selected WAC Preseason Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, respectively, in a vote of the league's six head coaches, who could not vote for their own team or players.

 

Schmid led the Preseason All-WAC Offense and is joined by teammates Ramon Jefferson, Jequez Ezzard, Isaac Schley, Eleasah Anderson, Prince Pines and Colby Thomas. Stephen F. Austin was represented by Xavier Gipson and Zach Ingram while Tarleton earned honors from Tariq Bitson and Zachary Perry. Dixie State running back Quali Conley earned the final offensive spot.

 

On defense, Kay was joined by teammates Trace Mascorro, Joseph Wallace, Quentin Brown, Trevor Williams, Zyon McCollum and Jaylen Thomas. SFA's Brandon Thompson Jr. and Brevin Randle were recognized, as was Tarleton duo Ronnell Wilson and Devin Hafford. Lamar's Anthony Ruffin represented the Cardinals in the preseason awards.

 

On special teams, Sam Houston kicker Seth Morgan and punter Matt McRobert were recognized and Ezzard earned the spot reserved for kick returner.

 

Sam Houston earned all five possible first place votes to earn 20 points. Stephen F. Austin earned the final first place votes and 16 points to earn second place. Tarleton is picked third with 11 points, followed by Lamar and Abilene Christian. Dixie State, who will be eligible for all individual awards, will not be playing a full WAC schedule due to previous non-conference game contracts.

 

After lifting the NCAA FCS National Championship trophy in May, the Sam Houston Bearkats are expected to return to the postseason as AQ7 champions as voted on by the seven head coaches of the alliance, which made up on four institutions from the Western Athletic Conference and three from the Atlantic Sun Conference.

 

The Bearkats earned all seven first place votes to score a perfect 49 points. Central Arkansas was picked second with 40 points, followed closely by Jacksonville State in third with 37 points. Stephen F. Austin is fourth with 27 points, followed by Eastern Kentucky, Abilene Christian and Lamar.

 

The WAC will expand yet again on July 1, 2022 as both University of the Incarnate Word and Southern Utah University join the party. The Cardinals are currently members of the Southland Conference and the Thunderbirds are currently members of the Big Sky Conference.