Abilene Christian aims to end two-game skid against potent Houston Baptist in football

Houston Baptist (4-2, 1-1) at ACU (2-4, 1-3)

6 P.M. SATURDAY * WILDCAT STADIUM * KTLT-FM 98.1

What's riding on the game: Houston Baptist, the surprise team in the Southland Conference after back to back 1-10 seasons, needs a win to stay in the conference title hunt. ACU, which has lost two straight games, has little room for error the rest of the way if the Wildcats hope to make the playoffs. ACU leads the all-time series 5-1. Last year, Luke Anthony threw for 247 yards and three TDs, while the Wildcats ran for 335 yards behind Tracy James (19-125) and Tyrese White (6-118, 1 TD) in a 38-13 win in Houston. HBU’s only win, a 27-24 overtime decision in Houston, came in 2016.

Last week: Incarnate Word, the defending conference co-champion, beat Houston Baptist 38-36 in Houston. Jordan Hoy threw for 338 yards and two TDs, and his 4-yard TD run with 6:20 left in the game lifted Lamar to a 27-24 win over ACU in Beaumont.

Scouting Houston Baptist: The Huskies lead the nation in passing offense (385.7 yards per game), total offense (567.2) and scoring offense (49.5 points per game). It’s no surprise that junior quarterback Bailey Zappe also leads the FCS in passing yards (2,207), passing yards per game (367.8) and passing TDs (24). He’s completed 199 of 278 passes with nine picks. Ben Ratzlaff (46-649, 9 TDs) is third in the nation in receiving yards and tied with two others for first in TD catches. Jerreth Sterns (63-549, 5 TDs) is 10th in the nation in receiving yards. Dreshawn Minnieweather (68-438, 5 TDs) and Ean Beek (76-463) are the Southland’s top two rushers, and HBU is No. 2 in the conference in rushing (181.5) as a team. Gamar Brito is the FCS’ No. 1 kick returner (37 yards per return). The Huskies are giving up 461.2 yards (147 rushing/314.17 passing) and 31.8 points per game.

Wildcats update: QB Luke Anthony is expected to play after sitting out last week’s game with a concussion. ACU also played the game without running back Billy McCrary (shoulder). McCrary – the Southland’s co-Newcomer of the Year last season – needed season-ending shoulder surgery. The senior said the surgery went well, and he will apply for medical redshirt to come back next season.

What the Wildcats need to do to win: ACU must get pressure on Zappe and disrupt the Huskies passing game. Offensively, the Wildcats must have success running ball like it did in last season's win over HBU. 

Joey D. Richards’ pick: ACU 31, Houston Baptist 28