Wildcats still No. 1 in region as head to Kingsville

The ACU Wildcats are atop the Super Regional Four rankings for the second straight week, and they are closing the gap on top-ranked Grand Valley State (Mich.) in the national polls.

The 8-0 Wildcats moved to the top spot in the regional poll last week after a win over previous No. 1 West Texas A&M and remained there Monday after last Saturday's 37-17 win over Tarleton State. Northwest Missouri State (8-1) is ranked No. 2 in the regional poll, followed by Pittsburg State (8-1) and West Texas A&M (8-1) at No. 4 as the region's top four teams remain unchanged.

In the American Football Coaches' Association, the Wildcats picked up two more first-place votes and now trails No. 1 Grand Valley State by only 17 points in the poll. GVSU (8-0) had to rally from a 15-point third-quarter deficit to beat then-No. 23 Ashland (Ohio), 48-42, last Saturday. The Lakers are still atop the AFCA poll with 21 first-place votes and 645 points, while the Wildcats are still No. 2 with five first-place votes and 628 points.

The Wildcats are back in action Saturday at 7 p.m. when they head to south Texas to take on Texas A&M-Kingsville in a key Lone Star Conference South Division game. ACU can clinch at least a share of both the LSC and the LSC South Division titles with a win, and they can clinch the LSC championship with a win and a Northeastern State win over West Texas A&M.

The game will be broadcast on local radio on KYYW 1470 AM, while Wildcat Insiders can listen to the game at ACU's sports. Fans can also watch the game for free on Texas A&M-Kingsville's Web site.The Wildcats are 8-0 overall for the first time since 1950, 7-0 in the LSC and 4-0 in the LSC South. The Javelinas are 6-3 overall, 5-2 in the LSC and 2-2 in the LSC South. A win Saturday would give the Wildcats their first LSC championship since 1977.

A win on Saturday would also keep ACU as the No. 1 seed in the regional poll. Two more ACU wins would give the Wildcats the right to a first-round bye and then the chance to host second-round, quarterfinal and semifinal contests at Shotwell Stadium before the NCAA Division II national championship game on Dec. 13 in Florence, Ala.

If you are a member of the media who would like more information about this release, please contact ACU's Public Relations Office or call (325) 674-2692.