ABILENE, Texas — Tarleton State Football's program-best NCAA Division I winning streak and perfect 2025 campaign ended on Saturday in Abilene, as the Texans dropped their first game of the season to Abilene Christian.
 
The No. 2 Texans (9-1, 5-1 UAC) lost 31-28 to the No. 24 Wildcats (5-4, 4-1 UAC) at Anthony Field at Wildcat Stadium on a field goal as time expired. This snapped a nine-game winning streak for the Texans, their longest since 2019.
 
Entering the fourth quarter, the Texans trailed 28-10. Similarly to the last time Tarleton State played in Abilene in 2023, the Texans rattled off a big fourth quarter, but this time ACU executed on its final drive to win the game. Tarleton State scored 18 straight to tie the game 28-28 with 56 seconds left. ACU drove 42 yards and Brandon Perez kicked a walk-off 47-yard field goal to win the game for the Wildcats.
 
The Texans had a chance to clinch at least a share of the United Athletic Conference championship with a win on Saturday, and now they are a half-game ahead of ACU in the UAC standings. The Texans sit at 5-1 with two home games remaining against North Alabama and Austin Peay, while ACU has three games left, a home contest against Utah Tech, and two road games to the end the year at Eastern Kentucky and Central Arkansas.
 
Tarleton State quarterback Victor Gabalis completed 25-of-46 passes for a season-high 361 yards, plus two touchdowns and an interception. The Texans were without starting running back Tre Page III. Their backfield was led by James Paige (seven carries for 76 yards) and the return of Caleb Lewis (14 carries for 31 yards). Cody Jackson led Tarleton State's receivers with 134 yards on seven receptions and a touchdown. Trevon West, who got injured in a scary moment by his own brother, ACU defensive back Harold West with 1:40 to play, ended up walking off on his own power. He finished with 111 yards on six receptions. Peyton Kramer had 92 yards on eight receptions and a touchdown.
 
Defensively, Sterling had the Texans' lone takeaway with an interception on ACU's first drive, adding six tackles (three solo). AJ Owens had a team-high seven tackles. Brandon Tolvert had a sack, to go with five tackles.
 
Team-wise, Tarleton State outgained ACU 454 to 435, but the Wildcats had a 233-to-93 yard advantage in the run game.
 
The first quarter was all Wildcats to start the rivalry matchup. ACU got the ball to open the game and put together a solid opening drive, but it was snuffed by Sterling's interception at the Tarleton State 28-yard line. Tarleton State drove 42 yards on its first offensive series, but had a 47-yard field goal blocked. ACU then scored on a seven-play, 70-yard drive, boosted by an EJ Wilson Jr. 45-yard rush, capped off by a Stone Earle 2-yard touchdown pass to Jed Castles. Later in the first, Rovaughn Banks Jr. scored on a 40-yard rush to make it a 14-0 ACU lead at the end of the first quarter.
 
The second quarter turned in the Texans' favor, as they outscored ACU 10-0 in the frame. Tarleton State's defense forced its first three-and-out of the contest to open, then Tarleton State's offense drove 87 yards for its opening points. On a 4th and 4 from the ACU 9-yard line, Gabalis connected with Kramer up the middle for a touchdown to cut the deficit in half, 14-7. After another three-and-out forced by Tarleton State's defense, the Texans scored again, this time on a 36-yard field goal by Brad Larson. ACU led 14-10 at halftime.
 
The third quarter flipped back in ACU's direction, as they again won a quarter 14-0. Tarleton State received the ball first and drove to ACU's 33-yard line, but suffered a turnover on downs. ACU scored quickly on its first drive, driving 67 yards in five plays, with Banks scoring his second touchdown of the day from two yards out. After several punts by both teams, ACU scored on the third quarter's final play, an Earle 9-yard rushing touchdown to make it 28-10 ACU.
 
Tarleton State got to work quickly in the fourth quarter, scoring a touchdown on four plays, a Gabalis 25-yard touchdown strike to Jackson to make it 28-17 Wildcats. The Texans forced a quick three-and-out, then made it a one-possession game on a 34-yard Larson field goal. ACU had a chance to nearly end the game with 2:52 remaining, but the Wildcats' 45-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left, opening the door for the Texans. They capitalized, driving 72 yards and tying the game on a 1-yard rushing touchdown by Daniel Greek with 56 seconds remaining. ACU opened its game-winning drive with a 38-yard connection between Earle and Bryan Henry to put the ball at the Texans' 37-yard line. Perez then nailed his 47-yard field goal as time expired to win the game for the Wildcats.
 
This is just the second one-possession final for Tarleton State this season, both resulting in walk-off field goals. Tarleton State won the first, a walk-off field goal in double overtime at Army, and lost the second at ACU. All other Tarleton State games have been decided by multiple possessions, all Texan victories.
 
The Texans will now get a chance to reset with their second bye week of the season. They'll be back in action at home for Military Appreciation on Saturday, Nov. 15, at 6 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.