Abilene Christian Wildcats at North Alabama Lions
· NCAA - Football
TJ Smith throws for 4 TDs, runs for 2 more as North Alabama rallies past Abilene Christian 47-34
Abilene Christian came into the game atop the United Athletic Conference at 3-0. The Wildcats (4-3) now are tied with North Alabama at 3-1, a half-game behind Tarleton State (6-1, 3-0).
Smith threw two touchdown passes in the game's opening five minutes, including a 23-yard strike to Tanaka Scott, then raced 46 yards for a touchdown to give the Lions a 20-14 lead after a quarter, but Sam Hicks ran for a pair of second-quarter touchdowns to bring Abilene Christian back and give the Wildcats a 27-20 lead at intermission.
Smith threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Justin Luke to open the second half, but Isaiah Johnson answered to keep Abilene Christian in front, 34-26 with 12:23 left in the third quarter. Smith's first TD pass to Warden, a 37-yard strike, got the Lions within one at 34-33 with two minutes left in the third and Jalen Fletcher capped an eight-play, 88-yard drive with a 24-yard run. Smith and Warden connected from eight-yards out with 1:51 left to set the final margin.
Smith finished 17-of-24 passing for 220 yards with an interception to go with his four touchdowns. Fletcher carried 10 times for 123 yards and Smith added 94 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries. Warden caught nine passes for 112 yards.
Maverick McIvor was 30-of-48 passing for 275 yards with a touchdown and an interception for the Wildcats. Hicks had 99 yards on 13 carries and Nehemiah Martinez caught 13 passes for 93 yards.
How To Watch
How can I watch Abilene Christian Wildcats vs. North Alabama Lions?
- TV Channel: Wildcats at Lions 2021 College Football, week 7, is broadcasted on ESPN+.
- Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.
Scoring Summary
 |
TD | 1st Period 14:15 | TJ Smith 1 Yd Run (Two-Point Run Conversion Failed) |
|
TD | 1st Period 10:06 | Tanaka Scott 23 Yd pass from TJ Smith (Scott Payne Kick) |
 |
TD | 1st Period 8:52 | Isaiah Johnson 60 Yd Run (Ritse Vaes Kick) |
|
TD | 1st Period 4:22 | Blayne Taylor 16 Yd pass from Maverick McIvor (Ritse Vaes Kick) |
|
TD | 1st Period 2:19 | TJ Smith 46 Yd Run (Scott Payne Kick) |
|
TD | 2nd Period 7:21 | Sam Hicks 4 Yd Run (Ritse Vaes PAT blocked) |
|
TD | 2nd Period 1:39 | Sam Hicks 38 Yd Run (Ritse Vaes Kick) |
|
TD | 3rd Period 14:09 | Justin Luke 23 Yd pass from TJ Smith (Scott Payne PAT blocked) |
|
TD | 3rd Period 12:23 | Isaiah Johnson 1 Yd Run (Ritse Vaes Kick) |
|
TD | 3rd Period 2:07 | Kobe Warden 37 Yd pass from TJ Smith (Scott Payne Kick) |
|
TD | 4th Period 11:36 | Jalen Fletcher 24 Yd Run (Scott Payne Kick) |
|
TD | 4th Period 1:51 | Kobe Warden 8 Yd pass from TJ Smith (Scott Payne Kick) |
Statistics
 ACU |
 UNA |
|
|---|---|---|
| 26 | 1st Downs | 22 |
| 8-15 | 3rd down efficiency | 4-11 |
| 0-1 | 4th down efficiency | 1-2 |
| 468 | Total Yards | 506 |
| 275 | Passing | 220 |
| 30/48 | Comp/Att | 17/24 |
| 5.7 | Yards per pass | 9.2 |
| 193 | Rushing | 286 |
| 27 | Rushing Attempts | 38 |
| 7.1 | Yards per rush | 7.5 |
| 12-83 | Penalties | 4-40 |
| 2 | Turnovers | 1 |
| 1 | Fumbles lost | 0 |
| 1 | Interceptions thrown | 1 |
| 31:38 | Possession | 28:22 |
Game Information
Location: Florence, AL
Attendance: 9,918 · Capacity:
College Football News
Auburn coach Hugh Freeze diagnosed with prostate cancer
Auburn coach Hugh Freeze has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, but is expected to make a full recovery, the program announced in a statement Friday.
Iowa State gives AD Jamie Pollard 5-year extension
Jamie Pollard, the Iowa State athletic director since 2005, has received a five-year contract extension through 2030, the university announced Friday.
Lombardi on UNC's potential 'Hard Knocks' appearance: 'Bill's been sorting it out'
Michael Lombardi tells Pat McAfee that Bill Belichick has been in discussions over UNC appearing on "Hard Knocks."
Fake injuries could cost teams timeout, penalty
College football players going down with injuries after the ball is spotted could cost the team a timeout or penalty.
UNC's Michael Lombardi confirms talks amid 'Hard Knocks' link
North Carolina football general manager Michael Lombardi acknowledged that the program is considering a behind-the-scenes look at the team amid a report that the Tar Heels could be the focus of HBO's "Hard Knocks: Offseason."