This Week In WAC Football - Nov. 7
This Week In WAC Football - Nov. 7
ABILENE CHRISTIAN LEADS RACE FOR NCAA AUTO BID IN LATEST ASUN-WAC POWER RANKING
Stephen F. Austin checked in third in the latest ASUN-WAC Power Ranking that was released on Nov. 7, posting a 0.7156 rating with a 4-1 record in countable games. By way of being the WAC conference leader at 3-0 in conference games, Abilene Christian would earn the NCAA automatic bid with a power ranking of 0.6594 (5-2 countable record) over ASUN leader Central Arkansas (0.5062 power ranking, 4-4 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.
ACU SETS UP WINNER-TAKE-ALL MATCHUP BY MOVING TO 3-0 IN WAC PLAY
Abilene Christian won its third consecutive game and remained undefeated in WAC play at 3-0 with a 28-23 win at Tarleton on Nov. 5. The Wildcats scored a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter to pull ahead to take the win over the Texans. ACU (3-0 WAC) and Stephen F. Austin (2-1 WAC) will face off with the conference championship on the line on Nov. 19 in Abilene.
Maverick McIvor hit 24-of-34 passes for 385 yards and three touchdowns in the win for ACU at Tarleton. Tristan Golightly pulled in seven catches for 117 yards and Kobe Clark added five grabs for 115 yards and two touchdowns for the Wildcats.
Beau Allen threw for 181 yards and two TDs in defeat for Tarleton, and Derrel Kelley III added 191 yards from scrimmage on 23 touches.
OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION IN RIVALRY WIN FOR UTAH TECH AGAINST SOUTHERN UTAH
Utah Tech lit up the scoreboard at the stat sheet at home against Southern Utah on Nov. 5, gaining 603 yards of total offense in a 48-36 victory for the Trailblazers over the Thunderbirds. Utah Tech averaged 9.9 yards per play on 61 offensive snaps.
Victor Gabalis enjoyed a second consecutive dynamic performance for Utah Tech, passing for 463 yards and five touchdowns in the rivalry matchup. Rickie Johnson brought in nine catches for 277 yards and three touchdowns and Joey Hobert added eight receptions for 144 yards and two scores. Quali Conley rushed for 155 yards on 22 carries with a touchdown for the Trailblazers.
TRAILBLAZERS TRIO SWEEP CONFERENCE WEEKLY AWARDS
Utah Tech’s Rickie Johnson, Syrus Webster and Connor Brooksby completed the first clean sweep by any program this season of WAC weekly awards. Johnson established 2022 WAC single-game highs in receiving yards (277) and touchdowns (3) for the Trailblazers against Southern Utah, while Webster’s 3.0 sacks equaled a league best this season. Brooksby made all eight of his kicks in the win, including a school-record field goal from 55 yards out.
KEY MATCHUPS ON TAP FOR WEEK 11 OF FCS FOOTBALL
A total of four games featuring teams from the WAC are on the schedule for week 11 of the 2022 season on Nov. 12, with Abilene Christian traveling to Sam Houston (12 p.m. CT) and Central Arkansas hitting the road bound for Stephen F. Austin (4 p.m. CT). Central Arkansas is ranked second in the ASUN but would be the conference’s nominee for an automatic NCAA Championship bid due to Jacksonville State transitioning to FBS.
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 Nov. 5, SFA was the top team in the country with a 36.83 punt return yards per game average and ranked fifth with five blocked kicks. Southern Utah was second in net punting (42.02) and fourth in fumbles lost (1). Sam Houston ranked third in red zone defense (.650).
Southern Utah’s Jake Gerardi remained the national punting leader with an average of 47.9 yards per boot, with teammates Aubrey Nellems sixth in forced fumbles (0.33) and Isaiah Wooden ninth in yards per reception (21.23). 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 second in made field goals per game (1.89) and teammate BJ Thompson tied Nellems for sixth in forced fumbles (0.33).