2021 Abilene Christian Wildcats football | |
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Conference | AQ7 |
Record | 5–6 (1–5 AQ7) |
Head coach |
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Offensive coordinator | Josh Lamberson (5th season) |
Defensive coordinator | Clint Brown (3rd season) |
Home stadium | Anthony Field at Wildcat Stadium |
Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 5 Sam Houston $^ | 5 | – | 0 | 11 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 21 Stephen F. Austin ^ | 4 | – | 1 | 8 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Abilene Christian | 2 | – | 2 | 5 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tarleton State * | 2 | – | 3 | 6 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dixie State * | 0 | – | 3 | 1 | – | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lamar | 0 | – | 4 | 1 | – | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 5 Sam Houston $^ | 6 | – | 0 | 11 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 21 Stephen F. Austin ^ | 4 | – | 2 | 8 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Eastern Kentucky | 4 | – | 2 | 7 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Central Arkansas | 3 | – | 3 | 5 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jacksonville State | 3 | – | 3 | 5 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Abilene Christian | 1 | – | 5 | 5 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lamar | 0 | – | 6 | 1 | – | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The 2021 Abilene Christian Wildcats football team represented Abilene Christian University in the 2021 NCAA Division I FCS football season as a member of the Western Athletic Conference. The Wildcats were led by fifth-year head coach Adam Dorrel and played their home games at Anthony Field at Wildcat Stadium, Abilene, Texas. The Wildcats played their 100th season in 2021.[1]
The Western Athletic Conference and ASUN Conference announced the formation of the WAC-ASUN Challenge (AQ7) for the 2021 season on February 23, 2021. The Challenge included the four fully qualified Division I (FCS) members of the WAC (Abilene Christian, Lamar, Sam Houston, and Stephen F. Austin) and Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky, and Jacksonville State of the ASUN Conference. The winner of the challenge received an auto-bid to the NCAA Division I FCS football playoffs.[2]
Preseason
[edit]Preseason polls
[edit]WAC Poll
[edit]The Western Athletic Conference coaches released their preseason poll on July 27, 2021. The Wildcats were picked to finish fifth in the conference.[3]
Predicted finish | Team | Votes (1st place) |
---|---|---|
1 | Sam Houston | 20 (5) |
2 | Stephen F. Austin | 16 (1) |
3 | Tarleton State | 11 |
4 | Lamar | 8 |
5 | Abilene Christian | 5 |
- Note: Dixie State is not included since they are not playing a full WAC schedule due to previous non-conference game contracts. Dixie State players are eligible for individual rewards.
AQ7 Poll
[edit]The AQ7 coaches also released their preseason poll on July 27, 2021. The Wildcats were picked to finish sixth in the ASUN-WAC Challenge.[4]
Predicted finish | Team | Votes (1st place) |
---|---|---|
1 | Sam Houston | 49 (7) |
2 | Central Arkansas | 40 |
3 | Jacksonville State | 37 |
4 | Stephen F. Austin | 27 |
5 | Eastern Kentucky | 20 |
6 | Abilene Christian | 15 |
7 | Lamar | 8 |
Recruits
[edit]US college sports recruiting information for 2021 recruits | ||||||
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Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | 40‡ | Commit date |
Hayden Anderson QB |
Keller, Texas | Keller High School | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | - | Jul 24, 2020 |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals:![]() | ||||||
Tyrin Bradley DE |
Lubbock, Texas | Monterey High School (Lubbock, Texas) | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 245 lb (111 kg) | - | Dec 11, 2020 |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals:![]() ![]() | ||||||
Cirby Coheley LB |
Iowa Park, Texas | Iowa Park High School | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | - | Jul 13, 2020 |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals:![]() | ||||||
Colt Cooper TE |
Quinlan, Texas | Ford High School | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 230 lb (100 kg) | - | Jun 30, 2020 |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals:![]() | ||||||
Luke Dillingham S |
Brock, Texas | Brock High School (Texas) | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | - | |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A | ||||||
Kyle Pointer LB |
Queen Creek, Arizona | Queen Creek High School | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 215 lb (98 kg) | - | |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A | ||||||
Jar'Quae Walton RB |
Waco, Texas | La Vega High School | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | - | Dec 13, 2020 |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals:![]() | ||||||
Jackson Andrews OL |
Schertz, Texas | Samuel Clemens High School (Schertz) | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 295 lb (134 kg) | - | |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals:![]() | ||||||
Landon Eades DT |
Boerne, Texas | Samuel V. Champion High School | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 280 lb (130 kg) | - | |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A | ||||||
Isaiah Pedack DT |
Dallas, Texas | Highland Park High School (University Park, Texas) | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 250 lb (110 kg) | - | |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A | ||||||
Ethan Taite OLB |
Frisco, Texas | Independence High School (Frisco, Texas) | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | - | |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A | ||||||
Overall recruiting rankings: | ||||||
Sources:
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Transfers
[edit]Name | No. | Pos. | Height | Weight | Year | Hometown | Prev. school |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Trey Adams | #5 | LB | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 190 pounds (86 kg) | Redshirt Sophomore | Corvallis, Oregon | Northern Colorado |
Alex Spadone | #7 | WR | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 216 pounds (98 kg) | Redshirt Junior | Houston, Texas | San Diego |
Triston Anderson | #12 | CB | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 195 pounds (88 kg) | Redshirt Freshman | Rockwall, Texas | Arkansas State |
Roland Williams III | #15 | DB | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 180 pounds (82 kg) | Redshirt Junior | Arlington, Tennessee | Richmond |
Anthony Smith | #20 | RB | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 195 pounds (88 kg) | Redshirt Sophomore | Fort Worth, Texas | Texas State |
Mike Garrett Jr. | #29 | DB | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 187 pounds (85 kg) | Redshirt Junior | Magnolia, Texas | Tulsa |
John Brannon | #43 | LB | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 233 pounds (106 kg) | Senior | Prosper, Texas | Texas State |
Kaleb Chester | #58 | OL | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 271 pounds (123 kg) | Sophomore | Grayson, Georgia | Lenoir–Rhyne |
Derek Simmons | #73 | OL | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 311 pounds (141 kg) | Redshirt Freshman | Jacksonville, Florida | Tusculum |
Reese Moore | #74 | OL | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 273 pounds (124 kg) | Redshirt Freshman | Seminole, Texas | Texas |
Derek Simmons | #99 | DL | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 245 pounds (111 kg) | Redshirt Freshman | Bakersfield, California | Fresno State |
Tyran Calloway | # | DT | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 249 pounds (113 kg) | Junior | Fort Worth, Texas | Howard Payne |
Personnel
[edit]Roster
[edit]Coaching staff
[edit]Name | Position | Alma mater | Joined Staff |
---|---|---|---|
Adam Dorrel | Head Coach | Northwest Missouri State (1998) | 2016 |
Josh Lamberson | Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks | Northwest Missouri State (2005) | 2016 |
Clint Brown | Defensive Coordinator | ||
James Curlee | Wide Receivers | Hastings College (2016) | 2017 |
Travis Dixon | Cornerbacks | UNLV (2010) | 2020 |
Zach Williams | Safeties / Co-Recruiting Coordinator | ||
Bryce Baccarini | Running Backs / Fullbacks / Co-Recruiting Coordinator | ||
Travis Britz | Defensive Line | Kansas State (2017) | 2020 |
Cody Scribner | Defensive Line | Central Missouri (2010) | 2020 |
Drew Liddle | Offensive Line | Kansas State (2014) | 2021 |
Dimitri Donald | Tight Ends | West Texas A&M (2015) | 2021 |
Depth chart
[edit]
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Schedule
[edit]Date | Time | Opponent | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
September 4 | 6:00 p.m. | at SMU* | ESPN+ | L 9–56 | 23,373 | |
September 11 | 6:00 p.m. | Louisiana College* | ESPN+ | W 62–7 | 8,117 | |
September 18 | 6:00 p.m. | Texas–Permian Basin* |
| ESPN+ | W 34–9 | 9,018 |
September 25 | 6:00 p.m. | at Lamar* | ESPN+ | W 56–0 | 5,411 | |
October 2 | 6:00 p.m. | Central Arkansas |
| ESPN+ | L 21–42 | 6,602 |
October 9 | 5:00 p.m. | at Eastern Kentucky |
| ESPN+ | L 15–30 | 8,659 |
October 16 | 3:00 p.m. | Lamar![]() |
| ESPN+ | W 24–17 | 10,121 |
October 30 | 4:00 p.m. | at Stephen F. Austin | ESPN+ | L 27–41 | 9,817 | |
November 6 | 1:00 p.m. | at Jacksonville State |
| ESPN+ | L 25–40 | 14,143 |
November 13 | 1:00 p.m. | Tarleton State |
| ESPN+ | W 29–3 | 6,213 |
November 20 | 1:00 p.m. | No. 1 Sam Houston |
| ESPN+ | L 9–35 | 4,421 |
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Game summaries
[edit]at SMU
[edit]
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Pregame line | Over/under |
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SMU –32 | 66[7] |
Statistics | ACU | SMU |
---|---|---|
First downs | 14 | 27 |
Total yards | 332 | 490 |
Rushing yards | 119 | 171 |
Passing yards | 213 | 319 |
Turnovers | 4 | 1 |
Time of possession | 28:22 | 31:38 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
Abilene Christian | Passing | Stone Earle | 13/28, 160 yards, TD, 2 INT |
Rushing | Peyton Mansell | 2 carries, 33 yards | |
Receiving | Kobe Clark | 6 receptions, 89 yards, TD | |
SMU | Passing | Tanner Mordecai | 24/30, 317 yards, 7 TD |
Rushing | Ulysses Bentley IV | 10 carries, 48 yards | |
Receiving | Danny Gray | 4 receptions, 72 yards, 2 TD |
Louisiana College
[edit]1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
LC Wildcats | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
ACU Wildcats | 27 | 14 | 7 | 14 | 62 |
UT Permian Basin
[edit]1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Falcons | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 9 |
Wildcats | 0 | 27 | 0 | 7 | 34 |
at Lamar
[edit]1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wildcats | 14 | 14 | 21 | 7 | 56 |
Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Statistics
Statistics | Abilene Christian | Lamar |
---|---|---|
First downs | 22 | 10 |
Total yards | 461 | 136 |
Rushing yards | 274 | 98 |
Passing yards | 187 | 38 |
Turnovers | 0 | 2 |
Time of possession | 29:13 | 30:47 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
Abilene Christian | Passing | Stone Earl | 13/18, 187 yards, long 32 yards, 3 TDs |
Rushing | Peyton Mansell | 6 carries, 107 yards, long 62 yards, 1 TD | |
Receiving | Kobe Clark | 4 catches, 50 yards, long 16 yards, 1 TD | |
Lamar | Passing | Jalen Dummett | 4/7, 38 yards, long 14 yards |
Rushing | Hunter Batten | 7 carries, 29 yards, long 11 yards | |
Receiving | Kirkland Banks | 2 catches, 15 yards, long 10 yards |
Central Arkansas
[edit]1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bears | 0 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 42 |
Wildcats | 7 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
at Eastern Kentucky
[edit]1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wildcats | 0 | 7 | 0 | 8 | 15 |
Colonels | 10 | 17 | 3 | 0 | 30 |
Lamar
[edit]1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cardinals | 0 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
Wildcats | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 24 |
Statistics
Statistics | Lamar | Abilene Christian |
---|---|---|
First downs | 14 | 21 |
Total yards | 364 | 466 |
Rushing yards | 158 | 208 |
Passing yards | 206 | 258 |
Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
Time of possession | 29:35 | 30:25 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
Lamar | Passing | Mike Chandler | 9/17, 206 yds, 1 TD |
Rushing | James Jones | 9 carries, 81 yds, 1 TD | |
Receiving | Nathan Gaskamp | 1 reception, 80 yards, 1 TD | |
Abilene Christian | Passing | Peyton Mansell | 10/18, 135 yds |
Rushing | Peyton Mansell | 18 carries, 106 yds, 2 TD | |
Receiving | Davion Johnson | 6 receptions, 82 yds |
at SFA
[edit]1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wildcats | 3 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 27 |
Lumberjacks | 3 | 17 | 14 | 7 | 41 |
at Jacksonville State
[edit]1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wildcats | 0 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 25 |
Gamecocks | 14 | 6 | 7 | 13 | 40 |
Tarleton
[edit]1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Texans | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Wildcats | 3 | 10 | 0 | 16 | 29 |
No. 1 Sam Houston
[edit]1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 1 Bearkats | 14 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 35 |
Wildcats | 0 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 9 |
References
[edit]- ^ Hadfield, Ron. "Wildcats fall to record-setting SMU passing attack". Retrieved September 14, 2021.
- ^ "ASUN, WAC form 2021 alliance, seek FCS playoff bid". Verizon Media. February 23, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
- ^ "WAC Coaches Select Sam Houston, Schmid, Kay as Preseason Favorites". Western Athletic Conference. July 27, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
- ^ "AQ7 Coaches Select Sam Houston as Preseason Favorite". Western Athletic Conference. July 27, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
- ^ "2021 Abilene Christian Wildcats Football Schedule". ACUSports.com.
- ^ "2021 Abilene Christian Wildcats Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com.
- ^ "Abilene Christian Wildcats vs SMU Mustangs". Odds Shark. Retrieved September 17, 2021.