2008 was the most successful ACU season since the 1978 team won the NAIA national championship. The Wildcats won the outright LSC Championship for the first time since 1973, advanced to the NCAA regional championship game for the first time, and fielded the nation's top offense. Along the way, ACU beat four nationally ranked teams, scored 36+ points and racked up 450+ yds in every game. In the end, ACU fell to a Northwest Missouri team that is competing in the national championship game for the fourth consecutive year. Coach Chris Thomsen was named LSC Coach of the Year for the team's accomplishments.
The offense was the focal point for ACU, leading the nation in total offense and scoring offense. The team set LSC records for single game yards (810), season pts per game (52.3), and season kicking pts (117), but amazingly the season yards per game record still stands (569.9 Texas A&I-1976). QB Billy Malone finished his ACU career with LSC records for pass attempts (1,320), pass completions (818), passing yards (12,012), and passing touchdowns (114). RB Bernard Scott finished 5th on the LSC career rushing charts (4,321 yds in just 2 seasons) and became the first LSC player to have multiple 2,000 yds rushing in a season. He also scored 73 TDs in his 2 years. WR Johnny Knox finished his two year career with 118 receptions for 2,227 yds and 30 TDs. The LSC honored the offense with 11 first team and 3 second team all LSC-South selections. Bernard Scott was named offensive back of the year and Tony Washington was selected as offensive lineman of the year.
The defense was improved over 2007 as well, allowing 7 fewer points and 87 fewer yards per game. The team allowed under 280 in seven games this year with just WTAM, NWMSU and TAMK offenses accumulating more yardage. Just two teams broke the 30 point barrier as well (WT and NWMSU). For its efforts, 5 Wildcats received first team and 4 received second team LSC-South honors. Aston Whiteside shared the defensive lineman of the year award and was named freshman of the year.
2008 Statistical Rankings
#1 Scoring offense
#1 Total offense
#1 Rushing offense
#1 Passing efficiency
#1 Sacks
#1 Sacks allowed
#1 Turnover Margin
#2 Passing offense
#2 Scoring defense
#2 Rushing defense
#3 Pass defense efficiency
#5 Total defense
#9 Passing defense
#10 Penalties
2008 Standout Players
QB Billy Malone - 1st LSC-South
RB Bernard Scott - 1st LSC-South
FB Emery Dudnsing - 1st LSC-South
WR Johnny Knox - 1st LSC-South
WR Edmund Gates - 1st LSC-South
WR Jonathan Ferguson - 2nd LSC-South
TE Kendrick Holloway - 1st LSC-South
TE Trey Simeone - 1st LSC-South
OL Joseph Thompson - 1st LSC-South, 2nd team Daktronics All-American
OL Tony Washington - 1st LSC-South, 1st team Daktronics All-American
OL Sam Collins - 1st LSC-South, 1st team Daktronics All-American
OL Trevis Turner - 2nd LSC-South
OL Royland Tubbs - 2nd LSC-South
DL Aston Whiteside - 1st LSC-South
DL Vantrise Studivant - 1st LSC-South
LB Mike Kern - 1st LSC-South
LB Fred Thompson - 1st LSC-South
LB Bryson Lewis - 2nd LSC-South
LB Eric Evans - HM LSC-South
DB Tony Harp - 1st LSC-South
DB Alex Harbison - 2nd LSC-South
DB Craig Harris - 2nd LSC-South
DB Nick Fellows - 2nd LSC-South
K Matt Adams - 1st LSC-South, 2nd team Daktronics All-American
Seniors moving on
QB Billy Malone - 1st LSC-South 2006, 2008, 2nd 2007; 12,012 yds, 114 TDs, 161.00 QB efficiency rating for career
RB Bernard Scott - 1st LSC-South 2007, 2008, 1st team Daktronics All-American 2007, 2008, Runner-up Harlon Hill 2007; 4,321 yds, 63 TDs rushing, 93 receptions, 1,391 yds, 10 TDs receiving in 2 seasons
WR Johnny Knox - 1st LSC-South 2007, 2008, 1st team Daktronics All-American 2008; 118 receptions, 2,227 yds, 30 TDs in 2 seasons
RB Taber Minner - 1st LSC-South 2006 ; 1,804 yds, 22 TDs rushing, 72 receptions, 656 yds, 2 TDs receiving
RB Chancy Campbell - 2nd LSC-South 2006 ; 984 yds, 11 TDs in 2 seasons
WR Jonathan Ferguson - 2nd LSC-South 2008; 61 receptions, 867 yds, 6 TDs
WR Rodney Freeman - 7 receptions, 137 yds, 2 TDs in 2 seasons
WR Tyjuan Manning - 14 receptions, 231 yds, 4 TDs
WR Chris Morris - 66 receptions, 852 yds, 6 TDs
TE Kendrick Holloway - 1st LSC-South 2008, 2nd 2007 ; 31 receptions, 320 yds, 6 TDs
TE Ryan Keeling - 7 receptions, 56 yds in 1 season
OL Sam Collins - 1st LSC-South 2007, 2008, 1st team Daktronics All-American 2008, 2nd 2007
OL Joseph Thompson - 1st LSC-South 2007, 2008, 2nd team Daktronics All-American 2008
DL Willis Hogan - HM LSC-South 2006; 58 tackles, 15 TFL, 5.5 sacks for career
DL Vantrise Studivant - 1st LSC-South 2008; 25 tackles, 11.5 TFL, 6.5 sacks in 1 season
DL Chenry Lewis - 18 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 3 sacks in 1 season
LB Eliot Allen - 16 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 0.5 sacks in 1 season
LB Mike Kern - 1st LSC-South 2008; 136 tackles, 14 TFL, 2 Int for career
DB Nick Fellows - 2nd LSC-South 2007; 128 tackles, 3 TFL, 4 Ints, 4 passes broken up in 2 seasons
DB Josh Henry - 23 tackles, 3 Int, 4 passes broken up in 2 seasons
DB Quentin Wilson - 48 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack, 2 Ints, 11 passes broken up in 2 seasons
K Matt Adams - 1st LSC-South 2007, 2008, 1st team Daktronics All-American 2008 - 339 career points
P Ricardo Navarro
Preseason Outlook
Best Case Scenario 10-0 in the regular season and win the SW region.
The Wildcats offense, led by the nations top trio of skill players stays at the same level as last year. The defense, with an influx of talent and healthy returnees, improves enough to keep the team out of shootouts.
Worst Case Scenario 6-4 and no playoffs.
The Wildcats start off with Northwest Missouri, runner-up in the last three national championship games, follow that up with Texas A&M Commerce and then close out the season with West Texas A&M, Tarleton State and Midwestern State over the last four weeks of the season. If the defense doesn't improve, that tough schedule could make for a disappointing season when hopes are so high in Abilene.
The defense was certainly improved, but not quite enough to allow ACU to escape the tough Super Region 4. The season was certainly a success and the Wildcats are to be commended.
3 comments:
Can you expand on their season a little more please?
what?
When I posted that, it was a headline without a story. Figured there was little more to review than nothing. Might want to expand a bit beyond just a headline. I see at least my request was understood by the Scoop guy.
Post a Comment