Both teams got off to slow starts offensively, but the defenses were revved up and ready to go. 

ACU won the coin toss and deferred to Tarleton. The Texans chose to take the ball first and started their initial drive at the 20-yard line. Unfortunately, a pair of sacks sandwiched a five-yard completion to receiver Jamal Mays and Tarleton's first drive ended as a three and out.

It was now the Wildcats' and Lone Star Conference preseason Offensive Player of the Year Mitchell Gale's opportunity. They put together a 4:58 drive down to the one yard line and ended it with a one-yard completion from Gale to Daniel Talavera at the 8:13 mark in the first quarter. Morgan Lineberry converted the extra point to make it a 7-0 ball game. Their drive took nine plays and almost five minutes to go just 35 yards.

The Texans tried to respond, but had a 12 play drive stall at the 17 yard line and ended in a missed field goal attempt by Jose Serrano.

The Tarleton defense did however manage to step up and stifle the Wildcats on the next possession, giving the ball back to the offense at their own 19 yard line. 

Nick Stephens and the Texans' new air raid offense came to life with just 1:54 remaining in the first half, as the senior quarterback hooked up with Evan Robertson for eight yards, Clifton Rhodes for 19 yards, and Lance Clark for 35 yards. Brandon Lowery ended the drive with a five yard rush for a touchdown, tying the game up at 7-7 with 0:27 left in the first quarter.

ACU stumbled on their first drive in the second quarter, but were able to hold Tarleton to only 19 yards gained on the Texans' first drive in the second. 

The Wildcats spent the next 6:08 trying to take back the lead with 11 plays, but had to settle for a 27 yard field goal due to the rampant Tarleton defense.

That sparked a momentum shift for the Texans, who went out and scored on a Lowery 14-yard touchdown reception from Stephens after just under two minutes of possession. The sophomore running back picked up his second score of the day and gave Tarleton a 14-10 lead at the 2:40 mark.

Neither ACU nor the Texans would do any more damage in the half as the two teams headed into the break with plenty for the coaches to work on.

At the half, Tarleton had amassed 222 total yards compared to ACU's 200. The Texans had 73 rushing yards on 16 carries and 149 passing yards on 13 completions.

The Wildcats had 87 rushing yards on 20 carries and 113 yards on 14 completions.

Robertson had 39 yards on the ground to go with Lowery's 31 yards and two touchdowns.

Terrence Henry led the defense in the first half with 5.5 tackles.

The Wildcats started the second half with a three-and-out, which was matched by the Texans on their first drive. ACU's second drive was not as futile though, as a 41-yard touchdown reception by Charcandrick West courtesy of Gale put the Wildcats back up on top of the Texans 17-14.

Finding themselves down three, Tarleton stormed back towards the end of the quarter with yet another score by Lowery, this time a two-yard rush to the right. As the clock ticked past 5:30 remaining in the third quarter, the Texans' confidence was growing with a 21-17 lead over the No. 4 team in the nation.

A couple of back-and-forth drives followed, but it was Tarleton that would strike again before the quarter expired with a 27-yard field goal by Serrano. The Texans entered the final quarter with a slight seven point lead, but the momentum in their favor.

With a chance to get back into the game, ACU had 10:09 on the clock when they started from their own 41 yard line. The defense was put in a tight spot and needed to have a big stop. 

The Texans got just that by stonewalling the running attack of the Wildcats. ACU was held to a 39-yard field goal attempt that was converted by Lineberry. Tarleton still hung on by a narrow margin of 24-20 with six minutes remaining.

ACU needed to get the ball back quickly while Tarleton just tried to burn some clock. Both teams had a pair of short drives that resulted in no damage, until the Wildcats broke open the game with a 23-yard touchdown pass from Gale to Daryl Richardson. The Texans now found themselves trailing 27-24 with just 1:05 left in the game and all three timeouts.

Tarleton had prepared all offseason for this moment and with the implementation of the new offense, head coach Cary Fowler was given the chance to see what his team was made of.

The final drive of the game started off in ACU's favor with a pair of sacks on Stephens, putting the Texans in a hole early. They were able to bounce back though with a receptions by Clifton Rhodes (19 yards), Devon Gray (25 yards) and Lowery (18 yards), whose catch came on a third-and-20.   

Tarleton used their timeouts wisely and put themselves in a golden opportunity with a first-and-goal at the five yard line, eight seconds remaining, and the option to go for a touchdown or settle for the field goal.

The Texans broke the huddle and went with a scramble option for Stephens that led him to the opposing sideline. At the last second before getting hit by ACU's defensive line, he attempted to bullet a pass into his receiver at the front of the end zone. Unfortunately, a Wildcat defender slipped in front and intercepted the ball to end the game. ACU narrowly escaped with a 27-24 victory.

It was a tough loss for the Texans, but they fought valiantly against a very good Abilene Christian team that deserved its No. 4-ranking.

Tarleton totaled 52 yards rushing and 339 yards passing for a total of 391 yards of offense. Abilene Christian racked up 436 yards total with 335 yards in the air and 101 yards coming on the ground.

Time of possession was not a telling sign with ACU holding on to the ball for 33:31 and Tarleton for 26:29.

Robertson led all rushers with 61 yards on 14 carries, while Lowery added 33 yards and two scores on seven carries.

Stephens finished the game 26-of-44 with one touchdown, two picks and 339 yards.

The freshman Rhodes had a breakout game for the Texans, topping 107 yards on just five catches.

Dan Jackson anchored the defense with 11 tackles and a sack, while Dashaun Phillips picked up two huge interceptions that kept the Texans in the game. Gaston Benson also had eight tackles, half a sack and three pass break-ups in the secondary.

Tarleton will return to action next Saturday, Sept. 10 when the Texans head to North Alabama for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

For more information regarding the 2011 Tarleton football team, check out TarletonSports.com.