The Teams: Tarleton Texans (5-4, 2-2 WAC) at Abilene Christian Wildcats (4-5, 2-1 WAC)
Where: Abilene, Texas
Stadium: Anthony Field at Wildcat Stadium
Time: 1 p.m. CT
Streaming Platform: ESPN+ (Zach Carlyle, Kauy Ostlien, Carrie Johnston)
Radio: Tarleton Sports Network on 90.5 FM (Byron Anderson, Kyle Masters, Cody Vannoy, Keltin Wiens)
 
TEXAN FOOTBALL GAME DAY
The Texans and Wildcats square off for the first time since 2013 in the battle of one of the old rivalries in the programs' histories. Both bring a similar record to Saturday afternoon's game, with Tarleton at 5-4 (2-2 WAC) and Abilene Christian at 4-5 (2-1 WAC).
 
The game, set for 1 p.m. CT at Anthony Field at Wildcat Stadium on Saturday, will be broadcast on ESPN+, with Zach Carlyle, Kauy Ostlien and Carrie Johnston on the call. The game can be heard on Tarleton Sports Network at 90.5 FM in Stephenville and surrounding areas, with Byron Anderson, Kyle Masters, Cody Vannoy and Keltin Wiens leading the broadcast.
 
ABOUT THE MATCHUP

• The Texans and Wildcats began their storied rivalry in 1920, a 0-0 tie at an unknown location.
• This is the first game between these two programs since 2013. The Texans won that game 41-34 in double overtime at a neutral site.
• This is the 36th meeting between these two teams all-time, which will make the Wildcats TSU's tied-third most common opponent of all-time (McMurry 39 times, Midwestern State 37 times, Angelo State 36 times).
• Tarleton last played at Abilene Christian in 2010.
• Since 1998, Tarleton is 9-7 against ACU.

 
QUICK HITS

• With a Tarleton win, the Texans would lock up a winning season for the fourth straight season. It'd be the longest stretch of winning seasons for Tarleton since 2000-2009 (10 straight, first five with Todd Whitten as HC).
• With a Tarleton win, the Texans would finish with a winning record in WAC play in their first year as part of the conference. The Texans would make it 3-2 in conference play and would guarantee themselves a top-three finish.
• Over his last four games, Steven Duncan has compiled 11 touchdowns, 1,163 passing yards (290.8 per), and just one turnover (an INT against Lamar). He has back-to-back 300+ yard games for the first time in his career.
• As a team, the Texans have turned it over just twice over their last four games, going 3-1 in those contests. In the first five games, Tarleton had eight turnovers, resulting in a 2-3 record.
• For the first time this season, the time of possession battle didn't directly reflect the score, as Tarleton won the game despite losing TOP. Tarleton is 4-0 when leading in time of possession, and now 1-4 when trailing.
• The Texans were without their top three tacklers last week in their win against Lamar. Linebacker Devin Sterling was the next man up, and he delivered, winning the TicketSmarter WAC Defensive Player of the Week award following his tied-team-leading nine tackles against the Cardinals, including 1.5 TFL, in TSU's 42-21 win.

 
RENEWING THE RIVALRY
The Tarleton Texans and Abilene Christian Wildcats go back awhile...try over 100 years. The two programs played their first matchup in 1920, in front of -- who are we kidding, nobody even knows where the game was played! It was a 0-0 barnburner that resulted in a tie. It's one of the three first recorded games played by Tarleton, alongside the Texans' games against Trinity in 1916, and against the University of Texas-Arlington, also in 1920. Of course, we're calling them Tarleton State University and Abilene Christian University now, but in the first matchup, it was John Tarleton Agricultural College vs. Abilene Christian College. For the sake of clarity, we'll refer to them as the Texans and Wildcats. So, the Texans and Wildcats were regular opponents in the 1920s and 1930s, before a major gap of 35 years in-between a game in 1938 and the next in 1973. The teams played each other three straight years, and then took another long gap, this one 18 years long, before starting regular matchups in 1993. The two programs played each other every single year from 1995-2013, but haven't seen each other since. In 1994, Tarleton joined the NCAA Division II and in 1995, the Lone Star Conference, which ACU already resided. In 2013, the Wildcats were without a conference, playing independently, before joining the Southland Conference in 2014, where they stayed through 2020. Now, the Texans and Wildcats will play as WAC foes for the first time. The last time these teams matched up in 2013, Tarleton won 41-34 in double overtime. Tarleton running back Jerome Regal rushed for 251 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner. His game on the ground is still one of the best ever in program history. It was the third most rushing yards in a contest by a Texan in program history, just 18 yards short of the record.
 
QB1 TAKING CHARGE
Following a tough loss at Eastern Kentucky (now ranked No. 25), quarterback Steven Duncan has taken a big step as the leader of the Texans. On his first three drives following that loss, Duncan led his squad on three 67+ yard touchdown drives. Over the past four games, Duncan has combined for 11 touchdowns, 1,163 passing yards (290.1 per) and just one turnover, an interception against Lamar. As a team, the Texans have only had two turnovers total, even facing one of the best defenses in the nation in No. 1 Sam Houston. The Texans are 3-1 in their last four.
 
Against the Bearkats, Duncan threw for a career-high 403 yards to go with four touchdowns. He surpassed his previous career-high of 347 yards at Dixie State on March 13, 2021. It was the first 400+ passing yard game by a Texan since Ben Holmes had 451 passing yards at Western New Mexico on Nov. 16, 2019. It was also Duncan's third career four-touchdown game and second of the season (Sept. 18 vs. Southern Utah). In the last game against Lamar, Duncan had 315 yards through the air, making his first career stretch of 300+ yard games.
 
On the season, Duncan is 165-of-258 (.640) for 2,147 yards and 17 touchdowns. His 64.0 completion percentage stands as the second best in a single-season in Tarleton history, behind a 66.2 mark in 2012. For his Texan career, he's at 61.9 percent, presently the second best percentage in a Texan quarterback's career, behind Chase Sugarek (63.9, 2000-02). With seemingly every touchdown thrown from here on out, he'll be climbing the board for most TDs by a Tarleton QB in a season. He's currently tied with J.D. McMahon (17, 1968) for the 15th most in a single-season in Tarleton history. Next is Steve Kelly's 18 touchdown passes in 2000, Scott Grantham's 19 TD passes in 2009, and the top-10 at 20 TD passes.
 
BITSON THE BENEFICIARY
The biggest beneficiary from Duncan's efficient passing numbers has been Tariq Bitson, who has put together an impressive resume in his short time at Tarleton. On Saturday, Bitson added yet another touchdown, giving him seven on the season to go with 38 catches and 644 yards. He needs just one more receiving TD to make it into the top-10 for touchdown grabs in a season by a Texan. Only one player in the WAC and 18 FCS players have caught more touchdowns than Bitson this season.
 
He has three 100+ yard games and two multi-touchdown games this season. He's had five career 100+ receiving yard games in his 16 total Tarleton contests, the tied-11th-most such games since 1978.
 
BEST OF THE WAC
Tarleton is prominently featured across the top of the Western Athletic Conference stat leaderboards this year...
Steven Duncan:
- 2nd in total passing yards (2,147)
- 2nd in total completions (165)
- 2nd in passing yards per game (238.6)
- 3rd in total passing touchdowns (17)
- 3rd in completion percentage (.640)
Jayy McDonald:
- 4th in rushing yards per game (57.3)
- 4th in total rushing yards (458)
- 4th in average yards per carry (5.9)
- T-4th in total rushing touchdowns (three)
Tariq Bitson:
- 2nd in average yards per catch (17.8)
- T-2nd in total receiving touchdowns (seven)
- 3rd in total receiving yards (644)
- 3rd in receiving yards per game (71.6)
- 3rd in total receptions (38)
- 4th in receptions per game (4.2)
D.J. Harris:
- 3rd in total tackles (66)
- 4th in tackles per game (8.3)
- T-4th in total tackles for a loss (6.0)
Devin Hafford:
- 1st in interceptions (six)
- T-1st in fumble recoveries (two)
- 3rd in total pass breakups (seven)
Ronnell Wilson:
- T-4th in total tackles for loss (6.5)
- 5th in total tackles (54)
- 5th in tackles per game (6.8)
Marsean Fisher:
- T-4th in total pass breakups (six)
Benjie Franklin:
- T-4th in total pass breakups (six)
Tre Johnson:
- T-4th in total pass breakups (six)
Adrian Guzman:
- 2nd in field goal makes (eight)
- 3rd in extra point makes (33)
- 3rd in scoring (57 points)
Jake Walrath:
- 1st in punts inside the 20 (14)
- 2nd in total punt yards (1,812)
- 2nd in average yards per punt (43.1)
 
BEST OF THE BEST
It's been quite the season for Devin Hafford. Through nine games, the senior has six interceptions, two fumble recoveries, 13 passes defended and 33 total tackles (20 solo). His six interceptions match his career total he had entering 2021, which was five seasons, 45 games worth.
 
Across all of NCAA Division I football (FBS and FCS), Hafford has the tied-second most takeaways (eight), the tied-third most interceptions (six), and the tied-most multi-takeaway games (three). In takeaways, only Austin Peay's Johnathon Edwards has more, with nine on the year. Only Edwards (seven) and Montana's Justin Ford (seven) have more interceptions. Edwards has three multi-takeaway games along with Hafford, who had two FRs at SFA, two INTs against Southern Utah, and two INTs vs. Midwestern State.
 
In program history, Hafford's 12 career interceptions are the tied-third most in school history. He's tied with Dashaun Phillips (2010-13), only trailing Michael Dube (1989-92) and Lance Trinque (1979-82), who both had 14 interceptions in their Texan careers. His six interceptions this season are the tied-sixth most in a single-season in Tarleton football history, just two short of matching the most in one season in the program's total run. Craig Wright had eight in 1982, as did Walter Moeglin in 1966.
 
NICE TO BE RECOGNIZED
Several Tarleton individuals have been recognized for their great performances. Just this week, Devin Sterling was named the TicketSmarter Western Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week. Here's everyone who has earned an individual award or some notice this season...
 
In Week 2, linebacker D.J. Harris was named the TicketSmarter WAC Defensive Player of the Week for his dominant performance against Fort Lewis. Harris had 13 tackles (six solo), a forced safety, 1.5 sacks, 3.0 tackles for a loss and three quarterback hurries.
 
In Week 4, defensive back Greg Eggleston Jr. was named the TicketSmarter WAC Defensive Player of the Week for his two-interception game against New Mexico Highlands. He's the first Tarleton freshman (true or redshirt) to have two interceptions in a single game since Dee Collins had two picks against Southwestern Oklahoma State in 2008 as a redshirt freshman.
 
In Week 7, wide receiver J.F. Thomas and kicker Adrian Guzman were named the TicketSmarter WAC Offensive and Special Teams Players of the Week from their nights at Dixie State. Thomas pulled in six catches for 169 yards and a touchdown, with four of his receptions surpassing 30+ yards. It's his first 100+ yard game in over two years. Guzman made two field goals and all five of his extra point attempts. His two field goal makes tied a season-high for makes in a game, and both were 37-yard attempts, new season-longs for the freshman.
 
In Week 8, defensive back Devin Hafford was named the TicketSmarter WAC Defensive Player of the Week for his two-interception game against Midwestern State. He also tallied two pass breakups and seven tackles. After the game, he led all of NCAA Division I in takeaways (eight), interceptions (six) and multi-takeaway games (three).
 
In the middle of Week 9, defensive back Marsean Fisher was one of 22 FCS players named to the Stats Perform Jerry Rice Award watch list. The award is presented to the national freshman of the year in college football's Division I subdivision. At the time of the announcement, he was tied-third in the WAC in pass breakups (six).
 
In Week 10, linebacker Devin Sterling was named the TicketSmarter WAC Defensive Player of the Week for his nine-tackle, 1.5 TFL game against Lamar. Tarleton won the game in dominating fashion, 42-21.
 
THE BEST IN TEXAS
Since the start of the 2018 season, there has not been a better scholarship football program in the entire state of Texas than Tarleton State University. The Texans enter Saturday's game with 33 wins since the start of 2018, tied for the most wins in the state by an NCAA Division I or II program. The list of the top scholarship programs in Texas over that span are as follows:
 

#	School	League	Wins
1.	Tarleton	WAC	33
	Texas A&M	SEC	33
3.	Sam Houston	WAC	31
4.	Texas	Big XII	29
	SMU	AAC	29
6.	Baylor	Big XII	27
	A&M-Commerce	LSC	27
8.	Angelo State	LSC	24
9.	UTSA	C-USA	23
	West Texas A&M	LSC	23

 
MILESTONE WATCH
2: At 12 interceptions in his career, Devin Hafford is two short of tying Michael Dube (14, 1989-92) and Lance Trinque (14, 1979-82) for the most career interceptions by a Texan.
 
2: At six interceptions on the year, Devin Hafford is two short of tying Craig Wright (1982) and Walter Moeglin (1966) for the most interceptions in a single -season by a Texan.
 
3: At 17 TD passes, Steven Duncan is three short of cracking the top-10 for TD passes in a single-season in team history. He's one short of Steve Kelly's 18 in 2000, two short of Scott Grantham's 19 in 2009.
 
1: At six touchdown receptions on the season, Tariq Bitson is one short of tying six others for the 10th most touchdown catches in a single-season by a Texan.
 
UP NEXT FOR TARLETON
Tarleton will end its 2021-22 campaign at home against Central Arkansas. The game kicks off at 6 p.m. CT at Memorial Stadium. It's Senior Night for the Texans, a group of leaders who have left the ultimate impression in program history.