United Athletic Conference

60 minutes just wasn't enough. In the first FCS game featuring two teams from the state of Texas, host Incarnate Word outlasted visiting Stephen F. Austin, 35-38, in overtime in the first round of the FCS Playoffs on Saturday at Benson Stadium in San Antonio.

 

It was the host Cardinals striking first as Walter Payton Award finalist Cameron Ward found Taylor Grimes in the endzone on a four-yard pass with 7:08 left to play in the first quarter.

 

UIW took the lead into the second quarter but only for the first 10 seconds as SFA quarterback Trae Self passed the ball two yards into the end zone to QuenTyvian Borders to tie the game at 7-7 with 14:50 left in the first half.

 

The Cardinals again took the lead with 11:09 left to go as Ward scrambled into the endzone from six yards out and the PAT made it 14-7. UIW held the lead for about 10 minutes of game action before Self and Borders connected again, this time on an eight-yard score, with 1:30 left to go in the period.

 

The first points of the second half came in the closing minutes of the third quarter as Grimes juked past an SFA defender for a 23-yard touchdown pass from Ward for a 21-14 lead.

 

Self picked up his third touchdown pass of the afternoon with eight minutes left in the fourth quarter, finding Kesho Williams diving towards the pylon as the Chris Campos PAT put the game a 21-21.

 

UIW's Robert Ferrel put the Cardinals in position to answer, returning the kickoff 81 yards to the SFA 19-yard line but the 'Jacks' defense held tight and the UIW field goal attempt from 32 was wide right.

 

After a SFA 3-and-out on offense, the 'Jacks defense again stepped up, particularly Rayshad Nichols, who ripped the ball out of the arms of Kevin Brown and returned the ball 32 yards for the touchdown and the 28-21 SFA lead after the made PAT.

 

On a fourth-and-2 with less than a minute remaining, UIW tied it up as Ward found Grimes wide open in the back corner of the endzone to tie it at 28-28 after the PAT.

 

With SFA unable to score in the final seconds of regulation, the game headed to overtime. UIW struck first, using just two plays to get into the end zone on a six-yard pass from Ward to Ferrel. On SFA's offensive drive, the 'Jacks got a first down on their first play but then the UIW defense held tight, denying the 'Jacks a score and earning the 35-28 win.

 

Ward led the Cardinals with 328 yards passing and four touchdowns on 39-of-54 passing. Grimes accounted for three of those scored with 10 catches for 118 yards. For SFA, Self finished with 243 yards passing, connecting on 21-of-37 attempts for three touchdowns and two interceptions. Borders scored twice for the 'Jacks, finishing with four catches for 17 yards.

 

Defensively, Kelechi Anyalebechi and Isaiah Paul each finished with seven tackles to lead the Cardinals. The 'Jacks defense was led by nine tackles from Brevin Randle.

 

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), fumble return TDs (2), 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 (311.42), pass efficiency (152.4), passing offense (291.6), passing TDs (30), field goals (20), field goal percentage (83.33), yards per punt (41.3), punt return average (14.88), punt return TDs (3), interceptions (15), turnover margin (+6), first downs (248), first downs passing (134), third down defense (33.16), fourth down conversions (46.43), fourth down defense (28.57), sacks (45) and time of possession (31:11). 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 and also lead the conference in pass efficiency defesne (110.7)

and pass defense (189.9).

 

Individually, SHSU's Ramon Jefferson leads the WAC in rushing (97.20). SFA's Trae Self is the leader in passing average (266.75) and total offense (292.67). SFA's Xavier Gipson is the leader in reception yards per game (125.18 and all purpose yards (144.00) 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 and leads the league in scoring (9.08) while SHSU's Matt McRobert is the leader in punting (46.10 yards per punt).

 

Defensively, DSU's Tyrell Grayson is the leader in tackles (9.36) and SFA's Rayshad Nichols is the leader in sacks (10.0) and tackles for loss (15.5). 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 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.