This Week In WAC Football - Sept. 12
This Week In WAC Football - Sept. 12
ABILENE CHRISTIAN REMAINS ATOP THE CONFERENCE AT 2-0
With a second consecutive win to open the 2022 season, Abilene Christian sits alone as the remaining undefeated team in the WAC after week two of the season. The Wildcats outlasted Prairie View 21-13 on Sept. 10. Utah Tech joined a three-team contingent at 1-1 (also Southern Utah, Tarleton) with its first win of the new year, racing past Chadron State 56-10.
ACU OFF TO A SOLID START IN THE PATTERSON ERA
Abilene Christian scored 14 points over the final 11:27 of the fourth quarter to complete the comeback and stun Prairie View by a 21-13 final score. Maverick McIvor hit Noah Caldwell with an 8-yard touchdown pass to take a 14-13 lead before McIvor ran in a 2-yard score on his own with 5:05 to play to cap the rally for the Wildcats.
Keith Patterson has won his first two career games as a full-time head coach to open his career at the helm of Abilene Christian. The Wildcats have won their first two contests of a season for the first time since 2013, when the program began its FCS tenure 3-0 before capping the year 6-5 as an Independent.
UTAH TECH KEEPS THE OFFENSE HUMMING WITH WEEK 2 WIN
Fresh off a 33-point showing in the opening week of the season against No. 7 Sacramento State, Utah Tech kept the foot on the offensive gas pedal in week two against Chadron State with a 56-10 victory. The Trailblazers gained 561 yards of total offense on 86 snaps, averaging 6.5 yards per play.
Kobe Tracy was impressive in his first start of the season, competing 25-of-44 passes for 388 yards and three touchdowns for Utah Tech. Quali Conley was the team’s rushing leader for the second straight game, gaining 139 yards on just 21 carries with three touchdowns to earn conference offensive player of the week accolades.
The Trailblazers also brought two interceptions home for touchdowns against Chadron State, with Kaejin Smith-Bejgrowicz scoring from 32 yards out and Tyrell Grayson running back a pick-six 51 yards to paydirt.
HOBERT FROM UTAH TECH WITH BACK-TO-BACK HUGE GAMES
Wide receiver Joey Hobert from Utah Tech has enjoyed a stellar two-game stretch to open 2022, leading the WAC with 17 receptions, 344 yards and three touchdowns thus far this season. Hobert went for 183 yards on 11 grabs with a touchdown against No. 7 Sacramento State on Sept. 3 and added six catches for 161 yards and two scores in week two against Chadron State. Hobert’s 359 all-purpose yards also pace the conference as of Sept. 11.
GUZMAN HITS CAREER-LONG FG FOR TARLETON AT TCU
Tarleton placekicker Adrian Guzman established a career-high with a 47-yard made field goal for the Texans at TCU, adding a pair of extra points in the battle in Fort Worth. Guzman owns the longest two made field goals in the WAC this season after previously connecting on a 46-yard try against Mississippi Valley State on Sept. 1, and ranks fifth among all conference players with 16 points (4 FG, 4 PAT) as of Sept. 11.
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 Sept. 10, Abilene Christian has yet to allow any points in the red zone through two games, alongside NC Central, to lead the nation in red zone defense. Southern Utah is ranked fifth in net punting (44.14), closely pursued by SFA in seventh (43.44) and Abilene Christian in 10th (42.00). Southern Utah was also ranked seventh in both turnovers gained (5) and turnover margin (1.50).
Southern Utah’s Jake Gerardi led all FCS players with a 50.5 yards per punt average, with SFA’s Max Quick in hot pursuit in seventh with a 45.1 yards per punt average.
ACU PUTS UNBEATEN STREAK ON THE LINE AT MIZZOU
2-0 Abilene Christian heads to Missouri on Sept. 17 for an 11 a.m. local kickoff against the SEC foe. Other key games on the week three calendar include Sam Houston looking for its first win against Texas A&M-Commerce and Utah Tech traveling to No.12/13 Weber State on Sept. 17.