Football is preparing for the 2024 season

Lubbock junior linebacker Izaiah Kelley high-fives his teammates after an interception. (Photo by Daniel Curd)

May 6, 2024 by Zion Webb Leave a comment

After finishing sixth in a respectable conference last year, the Wildcats are looking to improve in their second year in the United Athletic Conference.

As this new season begins, some big players will need to deliver big performances in big moments. A versatile player who welcomes the new spotlight is Senior wide receiver Blayne Taylor. Taylor was one of the first hires of then-new head coach Keith Patterson.

Since transferring from Cisco College in 2022, Taylor has improved every year. He finished his second season with the Wildcats with 289 receiving yards and two touchdowns. And during his junior year, he was able to lead the team with 620 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, including the longest touchdown of his career of 75 yards against Prairie View A&M.

Now entering his senior year, Taylor looks to capitalize on his speed and quick adjustments, making him a near-guarantee for open chances against any man-on-man or one-on-one coverage.

Second-year defensive lineman Sean Dubose Jr. calls his teammate Taylor “a show-stopper.”

“Defensively, you have to be aware of where he is at all times,” Dubose said. “His ability to change the game at any time and stretch the defense vertically is what makes him such a deadly weapon for our offense.”

An offense that at first glance was one of the best in the UAC with just over 26 points per game, but it wasn't enough.

In early January, ACU named longtime coach Rick Bowie as its new offensive coordinator. He replaces previous OC coach Ryan Pugh, who is still on the Wildcats staff and serves as offensive line coach.

Bowie, who heads west from Valdosta State University, has a promising pedigree. His team was ranked in the top 10 in the division. II passed and scored last year, averaging just over 37 points per game. Bowie brings a different type of offense that leads to more creativity.

“Coach Bowie comes from a background that I’m very familiar with,” Patterson said. “He plays an explosive style and brand of football and I’m looking forward to him bringing that here.”

Patterson, a defensive-minded head coach, is going through his third offensive coordinator in his three years at ACU. What's notable is that the dynamic between Patterson and Bowie dates back to 2012. Patterson was defensive coordinator while Bowie was an offensive assistant coach at the University of West Virginia.

A new season brings some more new faces. Following the trend of many NCAA Football Championship Subdivision schools, ACU is heading into the offseason looking at the transfer portal. The team added nine new transfers this spring.

Former Tulane University quarterback Carson Haggard led his high school in Miami with 3,000 passing yards and 35 touchdowns while giving up just six interceptions. Although ACU's starting QB spot appears to be fairly secured with the continued presence of rising senior Maverick McIvor, Haggard's quick decision-making and athleticism will make him a great secondary option.

Another notable addition on the offensive side, wide receiver JJ Henry, comes from the University of Mississippi.

“I’m excited to play some more,” McKinney junior Henry said. “I can’t wait to showcase more of my talent and abilities and help this team win.”

The 5’9″, 170-lbs. The receiver, who can play both the inside and outside positions, will prove valuable in offensive coordinator Rick Bowie's new game plan.

Notable defensive signings include Texas State University safety Javen Ware, University of North Texas defensive end Chris Wright, University of New Mexico cornerback Marvin Covington and University of New Mexico linebacker RJ Myles Jr Northern Illinois.

ACU will look to take on a prominent opponent from Texas in week one. To start the season, we travel to Lubbock on August 31st against the Texas Tech University Red Raiders.