United Athletic Conference

Sam Houston's Eric Schmid, Tarleton's Sean Walton and Stephen F. Austin's Max Quick have been named TicketSmarter Western Athletic Conference Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week, respectively, for November 15 through November 21.

 

Schmid, a redshirt junior quarterback from The Woodlands, Texas, earns honors for the second-straight week after leading the Bearkats to a second-consecutive undefeated regular season with a 35-9 win at Abilene Christian. Schmid finished the day with 244 yards and three touchdowns on 18-of-32 passing, posting a 151.2 efficiency rating. The win clinched the WAC regular season title outright and helped the 'Kats earn the number one overall seed in the 2021 FCS Playoffs, as announced by the NCAA on Sunday.

 

Walton, a senior defensive lineman from Perryton, Texas, ended his collegiate career on a high note, recording eight tackles, including a pair of sacks and four tackles-for-loss, as the Texans blew out Central Arkansas, 24-3, at home. Both his two sacks and four tackles-for-loss were team-highs for the 2021 season.

 

Quick, a sophomore punter from Lufkin, Texas, continued to boom the ball, punting four times for an average of 45.5 yards, including a long of 56 yards, in a 42-6 win at Lamar. Of his four kicks, one fell within the 20 and one was a touchback.

 

Other offensive nominees: Dixie State's Keith Davis finished the season strong, catching seven passes for 146 yards in a loss to Missouri State … Stephen F. Austin's Xavier Gipson became just the second 'Jack to surpass 3,000 yards receiving, catching six passes for 164 yards in a 42-6 win at Lamar … Tarleton's Javy McDonald rushed the ball 12 times for 146 yards and one score as the Texans earned a 24-3 win over Central Arkansas.

 

Other defensive nominees: Abilene Christian's Brian Bullock totaled 14 tackles, including three solo stops, in the Wildcats' 25-9 loss to top-ranked Sam Houston … Dixie State's Tyrell Grayson recorded his team-high fifth double-digit tackle game with 12 stops in a home loss to Missouri State … Sam Houston's Trevor Williams led the Bearkats with six tackles and helped hold ACU to just 91 yards rushing in a 35-9 win at Abilene Christian … Stephen F. Austin's Brevin Randle led the SFA defense with six tackles, including a sack, in a 42-6 win at Lamar.

 

Other special teams nominees: Abilene Christian's Blair Zepeda was 3-for-3 on field goals with a long of 48 as the Wildcats fell to top-ranked Sam Houston, 35-9 … Lamar's Bailey Giffen was 2-for-2 on field goals and averaged 32.9 yards on seven punts as the Cardinals ended the season with a home loss to Stephen F. Austin … Tarleton's Jake Walrath recorded two 50-plus yard punts and averaged 42.0 on three kicks as the Texans earned a 24-3 win over Central Arkansas.

 

The Sam Houston Bearkats knew they were in the field. Stephen F. Austin had to sweat it out. In the end, both teams heard their names called during the FCS Selection Show on Sunday morning.

 

The Bearkats, winners of 21 straight, earned the top-overall seed in the 24-team tournament. Sam Houston, who won the delayed 2020 FCS title in May, earned one of eight first-round byes.

 

Waiting for Sam Houston will be the winner of current WAC member Stephen F. Austin and future WAC member Incarnate Word. The Lumberjacks and Cardinals will meet on Saturday at Tom and Gayle Benson Stadium in San Antonio.

 

Games through the national semifinals will be played on campus sites at the higher seed. The 2021 FCS National Championship game is scheduled for Jan. 8, 2022 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.

 

As a team, Sam Houston leads the WAC in scoring offense (42.4), scoring defense (17.3), touchdowns (58), total offense (490.1), rushing offense (231.3), rushing defense (71.4), yards per rush (5.89), rushing TDs (25), passing TDs (29), fumble return TDs (2), first downs (240), first downs rushing (107), opponent first downs (168), third-down conversions (43.48), least sacks against (10), red zone offense (88.6) and red zone defense (75.0). Stephen F. Austin is the leader in total defense (303.27), pass efficiency (154.8), defensive pass efficiency (108.4), passing offense (296.0), passing defense (186.4), field goals (20), field goal percentage (83.33), yards per punt (41.3), punt return average (14.96), punt return TDs (3), interceptions (15), turnover margin (+7), third down defense (30.72), fourth down conversions (48.0), fourth down defense (21.05), sacks (39) and time of possession (31:25). Abilene Christian is the leader in pass completion percentage (65.4) and Lamar is the leader in least interceptions thrown (5). Tarleton had the lone kick return TD in the regular season while Dixie State was the leader in first downs passing with 132.

 

Individually, SHSU's Ramon Jefferson leads the WAC in rushing (97.20). SFA's Trae Self is the leader in passing average (268.91) and total offense (294.55). SFA's Xavier Gipson is the leader in reception yards per game (127.60 and all purpose yards (145.10) 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 and leads the league in scoring (9.55) while teammate Max Quick is the leader in punting (46.63 yards per punt).

 

Defensively, DSU's Tyrell Grayson is the leader in tackles (9.36) and SFA's duo Rayshad Nichols and B.J. Thompson share the lead in sacks (8.5). SHSU's Markel Perry is the leader in tackles for loss (15). 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 20th in the Stats Perform Top 25 and 19th in the AFCA Coaches' Top 25.

 

Stats Perform announced the finalists for several awards earlier this week and the WAC is well-represented. Below is the list of WAC finalists:

 

Buck Buchanan Award (Defensive): Jahari Kay, DE, Sam Houston

Walter Payton Award (Offensive): Xavier Gipson, WR, Stephen F. Austin

Walter Payton Award (Offensive): Eric Schmid, QB, Sam Houston

Eddie Robinson Award (Coach): Colby Carthel, Stephen F. Austin

Eddie Robinson Award (Coach: K.C. Keeler, Sam Houston

 

Abilene Christian announced on Nov. 21 that the university has parted ways with head coach Adam Dorrel. A nationwide search will begin immediately under the direction of ACU's incoming vice president for athletics, Zack Lassiter, whose official start date is Dec. 1.

 

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.

 

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.