This Week In WAC Football - Oct. 31
This Week In WAC Football - Oct. 31
ABILENE CHRISTIAN LEADS RACE FOR NCAA AUTOBID IN LATEST ASUN-WAC POWER RANKING
Stephen F. Austin checked in third in the latest ASUN-WAC Power Ranking that was released on Oct. 31, posting a 0.7151 rating with a 4-1 record in countable games. By way of being the WAC conference leader at 2-0 in conference games, Abilene Christian would earn the NCAA automatic bid with a power ranking of 0.6289 (4-2 countable record) over ASUN leader Central Arkansas (0.5530 power ranking, 4-3 record in countable games). The ASUN-WAC Power Ranking is calculated by bracketologist Warren Nolan utilizing a measure similar to the NCAA RPI to determine the recipient of the automatic bid from the WAC and ASUN for the FCS Playoffs. Countable Games include any scheduled contests against FCS teams eligible for the FCS Championship, any team that is reclassifying to FCS and is in the reclassification process, or any FBS or FBS reclassifying teams. Tarleton, Utah Tech, Sam Houston and Jacksonville State are ineligible for the 2022 FCS Playoffs due to reclassification.
UTAH TECH EARNS FIRST CONFERENCE WIN OF THE YEAR AT NO. 19 SFA
Utah Tech snapped a five-game losing streak overall on the road at No. 19 Stephen F. Austin on Oct. 29. The Trailblazers spoiled homecoming for the Lumberjacks with a go-ahead touchdown with 47 seconds left and a goal-line stand as time expired for a 47-44 victory.
Both teams combined for 48 points in the second half alone, which included three touchdowns in the final 5:21 of the fourth quarter. The clubs also combined for 1,109 yards of total offense and an average of 7.4 yards per scrimmage play.
Utah Tech quarterback Victor Gabalis connected on 23-of-35 passes for 377 yards and five touchdowns in the road victory. Joey Hobert hauled in nine passes from Gabalis for 109 yards and three touchdowns, including the winning 14-yard score for the Trailblazers. Quali Conley gained 131 yards on 23 carries (5.7 ypc) with a touchdown and Malaki Malaki forced a fumble to go along with 11 tackles to anchor the Utah Tech defense.
SFA quarterback Trae Self connected on 31-of-44 passes for 391 yards and a touchdown through the air, hitting Xavier Gipson on eight completions for 151 yards. Gipson chipped in 119 yards on three punt returns and brought a punt back 85 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter for the Lumberjacks.
SAM HOUSTON WIN STREAK EXTENDS TO FIVE
Sam Houston continued its midseason momentum with a fifth consecutive win, dropping Tarleton 40-21 on the road on Oct. 29. The Bearkats scored 26 unanswered points to open a 33-7 lead early in the fourth quarter on the way to the triumph.
Zach Hrbacek erupted for 203 rushing yards on just 20 carries for Sam Houston, averaging 10.2 yards and scoring touchdowns of 80 and 4 yards for the Bearkats. Kavian Gaither logged 12 tackles, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries in the victory.
Darius Cooper enjoyed a monster outing for Tarleton, pulling in nine catches for 190 yards and two touchdowns.
ACU THE ONLY WAC TEAM STILL UNDEFEATED AT HOME
Three different WAC teams, Abilene Christian, Stephen F. Austin and Tarleton, entered play on Oct. 29 with undefeated records at home during the 2022 campaign. ACU (4-0) is the only remaining league unbeaten on its home turf after SFA (3-1) finished on the wrong end of a 47-44 result to Utah Tech and Tarleton (3-1) dropped a 40-21 decision to Sam Houston.
TEAMS FROM THE WAC RATED HIGHLY IN THE NATIONAL STATISTICS RANKINGS
As of the latest NCAA FCS football national statistics report that was released on Oct. 29, SFA was the top team in the country with a 35.89 punt return yards per game average and ranked fifth with five blocked kicks. Southern Utah was second in net punting (42.05), fourth in fumbles lost (1) and fifth in team tackles for loss (7.9). Sam Houston ranked fourth in red zone defense (.650) and Abilene Christian checked in fifth in 3rd down conversion percentage defense (.294).
Southern Utah’s Jake Gerardi remained the national punting leader with an average of 48.8 yards per boot, with teammates Aubrey Nellems third in forced fumbles (0.38) and Isaiah Wooden fourth in yards per reception (22.81). Sam Houston’s Kavian Gaither sat atop the national rankings with three fumble recoveries and teammate Seth Morgan has hit 2.50 field goals per game to lead FCS. SFA’s Chris Campos was third in made field goals per game (1.75) and teammate BJ Thompson tied Nellems for third in forced fumbles (0.38).