ACU edges Tarleton 31-28 on late field goal

Stephenville, Texas – In a thrilling United Athletic Conference showdown that came down to the wire, Abilene Christian University’s Brandon Perez kicked a dramatic 47-yard field goal as time expired Saturday, October 28th, 2023, securing a 31-28 road victory over rival Tarleton State at Memorial Stadium. The game, played before a spirited crowd in Stephenville, saw the Wildcats overcome a Texans’ fourth-quarter comeback to clinch a critical conference win.

Abilene Christian, under Head Coach Adam Dorrel, appeared to be in control for much of the contest. The Wildcats stormed out to an early 14-0 lead in the first quarter and maintained their advantage, extending it to 28-14 in the third. However, Tarleton State, led by veteran Head Coach Todd Whitten, mounted a fierce rally in the final period. The Texans scored two unanswered touchdowns, knotting the game at 28-all with just 2 minutes and 30 seconds left on the clock, shifting momentum and electrifying the home crowd.

Prior to Tarleton’s tying scores, the Texans had a crucial opportunity to take the lead earlier in the fourth quarter but missed a 43-yard field goal with 5:35 remaining. This misfire proved to be a pivotal moment, ultimately paving the way for ACU’s last-second heroics.

With the game on the line and the clock winding down, ACU quarterback Maverick McIvor took charge. The junior signal-caller orchestrated an impressive 8-play, 46-yard drive, methodically moving his team into field goal range. The possession culminated in Perez’s game-winning 47-yard boot, which sailed through the uprights as time expired, giving Abilene Christian the dramatic victory.

McIvor had a stellar performance, finishing the night with 283 passing yards and one touchdown, while also rushing for two scores himself. Wide receiver Blair Conwright was a standout target, hauling in six passes for a game-high 120 yards and a touchdown. Running back Jermiah Dobbins added to the Wildcats’ offensive production with 101 rushing yards.

For Tarleton, quarterback Victor Gabico threw for 251 yards and two touchdowns in a resilient effort. Receivers Jalen Carr and Jack Masters each snagged a touchdown pass as the Texans fought valiantly to erase the deficit.

“That was a testament to our guys’ fight and belief,” ACU Head Coach Adam Dorrel told reporters post-game, praising his team’s composure. “Even when they tied it up, we knew we had time, and Maverick made some huge plays to get us down the field. Brandon came through in a massive moment for us.”

Coach Whitten of Tarleton State, while acknowledging the sting of defeat, credited his team’s never-say-die attitude. “Our guys showed tremendous heart to get back in that game,” Whitten likely reflected. “It came down to a few critical plays, and credit to ACU for executing when it mattered most. We’ll learn from this and prepare for next week.”

This intense contest further amplified the burgeoning rivalry between these two Texas institutions, now both prominent members of the United Athletic Conference (UAC). The UAC, established in 2023 from a partnership between the ASUN and WAC, features some of the most competitive Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) programs in the region.

With the victory, Abilene Christian improves its overall record to 5-4 and its UAC standing to 3-2. Tarleton State now holds an identical 5-4 overall record and 3-2 conference mark, keeping both teams squarely in contention for a strong finish in the league. Updated conference standings and statistics can be found on the official United Athletic Conference website, uacfootball.com.

Both teams will look to continue their UAC campaigns next Saturday, November 4th. Abilene Christian will return home to Abilene, Texas, to host Southern Utah University. Tarleton State will travel to Richmond, Kentucky, to face Eastern Kentucky University.