This Week in WAC Football - Nov. 1, 2021

[ursus arctos horribilis]

TICKETSMARTER WAC FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK ANNOUNCED Stephen F. Austin’s Trae Self, SFA’s Jeremiah Walker and Abilene Christian’s Blair Zepeda have been named TicketSmarter Western Athletic Conference Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week, respectively, for October 25 through October 31. Self, a senior quarterback from North Richland Hills, Texas, completed over 80-percent of his passes, racking up 346 yards on 32-of-39 attempts for five touchdowns to lead the ‘Jacks to a 41-27 win over visiting Abilene Christian on Saturday. Posting a 198.9 pass efficiency, he was also efficient on the ground, running the ball nine times for 42 yards. On the season, he leads WAC quarterbacks in passing yards, averaging 264.9 per game, and his 17 touchdowns in the air rank second in the league this season. Walker, a sophomore cornerback from Houston, had two crucial interceptions and picked up a sack as the ‘Jacks earned an important 41-27 win over Abilene Christian. One of the leaders on a defense that is allowing a WAC-low 181.0 passing yards per game, he has three picks on the season and averages 3.4 tackles per game. Zepeda, a redshirt sophomore kicker from Richardson, Texas, hit a career-high 52-yard field goal and was three-for-three on extra points in the Wildcats’ loss at Stephen F. Austin. He also made a 41-yard field goal and has now made six field goals on the year in addition to a perfect 29-for-29 on extra points. Other offensive nominees: Abilene Christian’s Davion Johnson totaled 152 all-purpose yards as the Wildcats dropped a conference contest at Stephen F. Austin, 41-27 … Dixie State’s Kobe Tracy nearly led the Trailblazers to a win at Delaware, throwing for 314 yards on 25-of-39 passing in a 17-10 loss to the Blue Hens … Sam Houston’s Eric Schmid threw for 301 yards and accounted for six total touchdowns, including five passing and one running, in a 45-27 win at Tarleton … Tarleton’s Steven Duncan posted a career-high 403 yards passing with four touchdowns in the Texans’ 45-27 loss to top-ranked Sam Houston. Other defensive nominees: Dixie State’s Tyrell Grayson racked up a team-high 12 tackles and forced a fumble in the Trailblazers’ 17-10 loss to national-power Delaware … Lamar’s Adrian Owens totaled seven tackles, adding a sack, in the Cardinals’ 42-10 loss at nationally-ranked AQ7 foe Eastern Kentucky … Tarleton’s Benjie Franklin finished with five tackles and an interception as the Texans fell 45-27 at home to top-ranked Sam Houston. Other special teams nominees: Dixie State’s Andrew Day punted six times for 222 yards to pin Delaware deep in a 17-10 loss to the Blue Hens … Lamar’s Bailey Giffin averaged 42.2 yards per punt and also made a 30-yard field goal in the Cardinals’ 42-10 loss at Eastern Kentucky … Stephen F. Austin’s Max Quick continued to boom the ball, averaging 48.3 yards per punt in the ‘Jacks’ win over Abilene Christian … Tarleton’s Jake Walrath averaged 41.9 yards per punt as the Texans tried to place Sam Houston deep in their own end. KICKING OFF Just three weeks remain in the regular season with all six teams playing either WAC or AQ7 games this week. Dixie State and top-ranked Sam Houston leads things off with a noon CT kickoff in Huntsville, Texas, followed by Abilene Christian at Jacksonville State at 1 p.m. CT. Stephen F. Austin hosts nationally-ranked Eastern Kentucky in a pivitol AQ7 matchup beginning at 4 p.m. CT with Lamar and Tarleton wrapping things up with WAC action beginning at 6 p.m. CT in Stephenville. All four games will be available on ESPN+. STATISTICALLY SPEAKING As a team, Sam Houston leads the WAC in scoring offense (41.1), scoring defense (18.0), total offense (481.0), touchdowns (39), rushing offense (230.86), rushing defense (76.43), rushing TDs (15), passing touchdowns (22), first downs rushing (76), opponent first downs (115), least sacks against (8), red zone offense (90.3) and red zone defense (72.2). Stephen F. Austin is the leader in total defense (302.75), pass efficiency (148.1), defensive pass efficiency (109.6), passing offense (296.8), pass defense (181.0), pass completion percentage (.644), field goals (17), field goal percentage (.850), yards per punt (41.5), punt return average (16.79), first downs (171), first downs passing (101), third down defense (.315), fourth-down conversions (.524), fourth-down defense (.267), sacks (28) and time of possession (30:57). Lamar has the least passes intercepted (5) and Abilene Christian has the top third-down offense (.469). Individually, SHSU’s Ramon Jefferson leads the WAC in rushing (108.71). SFA’s Trae Self is the leader in passing average (264.00) and total offense (284.63). SFA’s Xavier Gipson is the leader in both receptions per game (7.57) and reception yards per game (125.00) and all purpose yards (142.00). When it comes to scoring, SFA’s Chris Campos is the leader in scoring (83) with a WAC-best 17 field goals while teammate Max Quick is the leader in punting (48.35 yards per punt). Defensively, DSU’s Tyrell Grayson is the leader in tackles (10.25) and SFA’s BJ Thompson is tied with teammate Rayshad Nichols for the lead in sacks (6.5). SHSU’s Markel Perry is the leader in tackles for loss (13). Grayson also has the lead in fumbles forced (3) while ACU’s Jordan Paup, TAR’s Devin Hafford and SFA’s Myles Heard are tied for the lead in fumbles recovered (2). Hafford’s six interceptions are also a WAC-best. NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED Sam Houston remains atop the Stats Perform Top 25, AFCA Coaches’ Top 25 and Athlon Sports Top 25. The ‘Kats are also ranked second in the College Sports Madness FCS Top 25. Stephen F. Austin is among those teams receiving votes in the Stats Perform Top 25 and AFCA Coaches’ Top 25. NO NEED TO TURN THE CALENDAR With its 45-27 win over Tarleton on Oct. 30, Sam Houston set a new collegiate record for wins in a calendar year. The game was the 17th for the Kats in 2021, setting an all-time college football record. Previously four teams – Yale (1894 & 1889), Chicago (1899) and North Dakota State (2019) – had won 16 games in calendar years ALL BY HIM-SELF Stephen F. Austin quarterback Trae Self was named Stats Perform FCS Offensive Player of the Week on Nov. 1 after racking up 346 yards on 32-of-39 attempts for five touchdowns to lead the ‘Jacks to a 41-27 win over visiting Abilene Christian on Oct. 30. Posting a 198.9 pass efficiency, he was also efficient on the ground, running the ball nine times for 42 yards. THE KAY TO VICTORY After helping lead Sam Houston to a 21-20 rivalry win over Stephen F. Austin in the Battle of the Piney Woods, senior defensive end Jahari Kay was been named Stats Perform FCS Defensive Player of the Week. He finished with eight tackles (six solos), including 2.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks. He also forced a fumble late in the game and had two quarterback hurries and a pass breakup. BATTLE OF THE PINEY WOODS In a rivalry dating back to 1923, the Battle of the Piney Woods lived up to expectations, with top-ranked Sam Houston eeking past Stephen F. Austin, 21-20, to stretch their BOTPW win streak to 10. FREE FOOTBALL Lamar’s 17-10 win over Northern Colorado was the WAC’s first overtime game of the FCS era and the 59th in the conference’s history since college overtime was introduced in 1996. GUESS WHO’S BACK? It’s a new era as football returns for the WAC for the first time since 2012, this time at the Football Championship Subdivision. Led by defending FCS national champion Sam Houston, the new incarnation of WAC football will also include Abilene Christian, Dixie State, Lamar, Stephen F. Austin and Tarleton. In 50 years at the FBS level, the WAC was home to the consensus 1984 national champion (Brigham Young), the winner of the 1990 Heisman Trophy (Ty Detmer, QB, Brigham Young) and the first pick of the 2002 NFL Draft (David Carr, QB, Fresno State). PRESEASON HONORS Fresh off winning the tophy, Sam Houston had a pair of players pick up Preseason All-America honors, earning a spot on the Athlon Preseason All-America team. Defensive lineman Jahari Kay and teammate Jequez Ezzard (punt returner) earned the recognition. Seven WAC football players were recognized on the Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America Teams. Kay, Ezzard and Sam Houston defensive back Zyon McCollum earned first team honors. Sam Houston Quarterback Eric Schmid was joined by teammate Joseph Wallace and SFA receiver Xavier Gipson on the second team. SHSU offensive lineman Colby Thomas was a third team selection. IN THE RUNNING Sam Houston quarterback Eric Schmid and wide receiver/returner Jequez Ezzard are among 35 players named to the Walter Payton Award Watch List, which is presented to the top offensive player nationally in collegie football’s Division I championship subdivision. On the other side of the ball, SHSU’s Jahari Kay and Zyon McCollum are on the watch list for the Buck Buchanan Award, which goes to the top defensive player nationally in FCS. PLAYING THE BEST Not looking to shy away from anyone, Dixie State has one of the toughest schedules in FCS, taking on four non-conference opponents that played in last spring’s FCS tournament, in addition to traveling to WAC-foe Sam Houston. The four members of the AQ7 will also take on Jacksonville State, who represented the Ohio Valley Conference in the FCS playoffs. Non-Conference Games Against 2020 FCS Playoff Teams Sep. 11 - Weber State at Dixie State Oct. 2 - Dixie State at South Dakota State Oct. 9 - Stephen F. Austin at Jacksonville State (AQ7) Oct. 23 - Jacksonville State at Sam Houston (AQ7) Oct. 30 - Dixie State at Delaware Nov. 6 - Abilene Christian at Jacksonville State (AQ7) Nov. 13 - Jacksonville State at Lamar (AQ7) Nov. 20 - Missouri State at Dixie State WAC FOOTBALL ON ESPN As part of an expanded multi-year, multi-platform media rights agreement announced on Aug. 24, all home football games in the WAC for the next four years will reside on ESPN platforms. In addition, all home men’s and women’s basketball, as well as other select events, will be housed on ESPN digital platforms. COACHES SELECT SAM HOUSTON, SCHMID, KAY AS PRESEASON FAVORITES With college football returning to the Western Athletic Conference for the first time since 2012, defending national champion Sam Houston is the favorite to win the 2021 WAC title while Bearkats quarterback Eric Schmid and defensive lineman Jahari Kay were selected WAC Preseason Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, respectively, in a vote of the league’s six head coaches, who could not vote for their own team or players. Schmid led the Preseason All-WAC Offense and is joined by teammates Ramon Jefferson, Jequez Ezzard, Isaac Schley, Eleasah Anderson, Prince Pines and Colby Thomas. Stephen F. Austin was represented by Xavier Gipson and Zach Ingram while Tarleton earned honors from Tariq Bitson and Zachary Perry. Dixie State running back Quali Conley earned the final offensive spot. On defense, Kay was joined by teammates Trace Mascorro, Joseph Wallace, Quentin Brown, Trevor Williams, Zyon McCollum and Jaylen Thomas. SFA’s Brandon Thompson Jr. and Brevin Randle were recognized, as was Tarleton duo Ronnell Wilson and Devin Hafford. Lamar’s Anthony Ruffin represented the Cardinals in the preseason awards. On special teams, Sam Houston kicker Seth Morgan and punter Matt McRobert were recognized and Ezzard earned the spot reserved for kick returner. Sam Houston earned all five possible first place votes to earn 20 points. Stephen F. Austin earned the final first place votes and 16 points to earn second place. Tarleton is picked third with 11 points, followed by Lamar and Abilene Christian. Dixie State, who will be eligible for all individual awards, will not be playing a full WAC schedule due to previous non-conference game contracts. SAM HOUSTON PICKED TO WIN AQ7 After lifting the NCAA FCS National Championship trophy in May, the Sam Houston Bearkats are expected to return to the postseason as AQ7 champions as voted on by the seven head coaches of the alliance, which made up on four institutions from the Western Athletic Conference and three from the Atlantic Sun Conference. The Bearkats earned all seven first place votes to score a perfect 49 points. Central Arkansas was picked second with 40 points, followed closely by Jacksonville State in third with 37 points. Stephen F. Austin is fourth with 27 points, followed by Eastern Kentucky, Abilene Christian and Lamar. COMING SOON The WAC will expand yet again on July 1, 2022 as Southern Utah University joins the party. The Thunderbirds are currently members of the Big Sky Conference and will make the switch in all sports.


Chris Thompson
Assistant Commissioner - Media Relations