The ACU football team continues to check off milestone achievements. The Wildcats are ranked in the top 10 of the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) for the first time in program history.

ACU is #10 in the latest Stats Perform FCS Top 25, released on Monday, following a 41-34 victory over then-no. 5 Central Arkansas last Saturday at Anthony Field at Wildcat Stadium.

Central Arkansas became the highest-ranked team beaten by ACU during the program’s Division I era, which began in 2013. The Wildcats last beat a top 5 team when they were a Division II program in 2009, when No. 8 ACU took down No. 2 Northwest Missouri State in the season opener at Shotwell Stadium.

Head coach Keith Patterson said last Saturday’s win against Central Arkansas has the potential to propel the entire program to a new level.

“I think we’re at a point in our program where we expect to win,” he said. “In my first year, we hoped to win, and things would go well. (Saturday night’s game) could be a signature win if we continue to improve as a football team. You win a game like this, and suddenly, confidence can go through the roof. The difference with this team – and I mean no disrespect to Central Arkansas – is our kids expected to win (Saturday).”

ACU’s first-ever home win over UCA also snapped a seven-game losing streak to the Bears.

It took 11 years for ACU to be nationally ranked in Division I football. The Wildcats made their first appearance at #25 following an overtime loss at Texas Tech, and a conference-opening win against West Georgia. ACU moved up into the top 20 the following week and reached #16 heading into the highly anticipated UCA game.

ACU is also ranked #12 in this week’s FCS Coaches poll.

The Wildcats are 4-2 overall and 3-0 in the United Athletic Conference. This is also the first time in Division I history that ACU has won its first three conference games.

Up next, ACU travels to play North Alabama on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 6 p.m. The Wildcats return home the following week for a Homecoming match-up with Eastern Kentucky on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 3 p.m.

Tickets are expected to go fast for the Homecoming game. Reserve your spot at Wildcat Stadium now.

— Evan Nemec
Oct. 7, 2024