Three Weeks In, the UAC Is Showing Its True Colors

Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (3-0, 2-0) 26, Abilene Christian Wildcats (0-3) 7

How the mighty have fallen.

What was billed as one of the marquee FCS vs. FCS matchups of the week turned into one of the biggest reality checks of the young season: Abilene Christian is struggling, falling well short of both national and UAC expectations.

Out of 12 drives, only three lasted more than six snaps, a glaring inability to finish drives and move the chains. They were thoroughly dominated in every phase of the game.

We had talked about taking some of the pressure off QB John David Black's shoulders (21-of-38, 267 passing yards, 1 TD, 1 INT), particularly by establishing the run, but SFA had a field day shutting it down, holding the Wildcats to just 3 yards per carry. Playing from behind forced ACU to air it out and go for broke, but the offensive line was eaten alive on most of its snaps.

The defense was serviceable but unspectacular, holding SFA to just a single touchdown in the second half.

One bright spot was defensive lineman Hudson Page, who put together a stellar performance with 9 tackles, 1 sack and 2 TFLs.

On the flip side, SFA was completely dominant. The Lumberjacks ran a remarkably balanced offense, racking up 459 total yards and converting 7-of-14 third downs. Meanwhile, the defense was impossible to handle, stacking the box score with 10 TFLs, 3 sacks, 4 PBUs, 1 INT, 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery.

Austin Peay Governors (2-1) 63, Morehead State Eagles (1-2) 7

It’s tricky to get a true read on this Austin Peay squad early on, but make no mistake: they must be taken seriously.

Beating Gardner-Webb wasn’t an insurmountable hurdle, yet they took care of business in commanding fashion. They took a beating against Vanderbilt, an SEC program at the FBS level, but to their credit, they didn’t look entirely out of place. This week, facing a reeling Morehead State team, the Governors treated them like a Division II outfit.

Even more surprising, quarterback Chris Parson (12-of-15, 260 passing yards, 3 TDs), billed as the team’s X-factor, hasn't even needed to break a sweat so far. He’s contributed sparingly on the ground, but he's playing remarkably clean, mistake-free football.

That has opened the floodgates for a potent backfield tandem of Kaden Williams and Matthew Wilson, who ripped off a whopping 223 yards and two scores on just seven combined carries. Wideout Denver Harper was a game-breaker with two receiving touchdowns (3 receptions, 124 yards) and a punt return taken to the house for six.

The defense was not necessarily projected as a powerhouse coming into the season, but they’ve shown up week after week. The front seven spearheaded the effort with 11 TFLs and 2 sacks, suffocating the Eagles' ground game to a mere 69 yards while holding the entire offense to 206 total yards and a sluggish 8-of-18 mark on third down.

Tarleton State Texans (3-0) 27, McNeese Cowboys (1-2, 0-1) 24

That was a close shave!

Just a week after making national waves with a statement upset over FBS opponent Bowling Green, Tarleton State flirted with disaster this past weekend.

The Cowboys' defense completely threw the Texans' aerial attack off rhythm, allowing zero passing touchdowns and recording 9 PBUs. Tarleton had to fall back on its trademark specialty: explosive splash plays.

Thankfully, the head chef showed up to cook. Tylan Hines shouldered the load 17 times for 141 yards and two touchdowns, delivering clutch breakaway runs when it mattered most. WR Marquis Willis was the ultimate safety valve, hauling in 10 catches for 166 yards, accounting for half of his team's total receiving yards.

The defense held down the fort, led by a do-it-all performance from Fredd Adams with 7 tackles, 6 solos, 1 sack and 1 PBU. In an absolute nail-biter, the contest came down to a crisp, clock-draining drive capped by a clutch field goal with virtually no time left on the clock.

Central Arkansas Bears (2-1, 0-1) 59, Central Oklahoma Bronchos (1-1) 20

The Bears got just what the doctor ordered to bounce back from last week's ugly letdown against the Argos.

Both the ground game, which produced four touchdowns and 407 combined yards, and the passing attack sharpened their edges. Tailback Jalen Washington shredded the defense for 202 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries, while QB Donovyn Omolo was modest in volume but ultra-efficient, finishing 11-of-15 for 133 yards and 2 TDs.

Along the trenches, the defensive line flat-out bullied its matchup. Ten TFLs and seven sacks resulted in minus-66 rushing yards, helping suffocate Central Oklahoma to 32 rushing yards on the day and just 1.2 yards per attempt.

They did give up quite a chunk through the air with 288 passing yards allowed, but they offset it by generating a boatload of game-wrecking plays: three forced fumbles, two recoveries, five pass breakups and four interceptions, highlighted by defensive back Bryson Adamoh taking two of them to the house for pick-sixes.

Southeastern Louisiana Lions (1-2, 0-1) 30, North Alabama Lions (1-2) 25

North Alabama outgained Southeastern Louisiana on offense, and its defense looked just as sharp, yet UNA still found itself on the wrong end of a five-point defeat.

The difference? Resilience and execution, the hallmarks of solid craftsmanship. SLU played cleaner and capitalized when it mattered most, while the northern Lions shot themselves in the foot far too often: excessive punts, costly penalties, a lost fumble, a missed field goal and one interception too many.

UNA was once again carried by its standout tandem of QB Destin Wade (19-of-30, 265 yards, 1 TD) and WR Xavier Johnson (8 catches, 175 yards, 1 TD), alongside a feisty defense with a disruptive secondary. DB Tae Martin delivered a noteworthy performance with 11 tackles, 7 solos, 1 TFL and 1 PBU.

In the end, UNA let this one slip away on the little things. Meanwhile, Southeastern Louisiana’s one-two punch of QB Kyle Lowe, who dazzled with 302 total yards and 3 passing TDs, and wide receiver Dkhai Joseph, who was stone-cold clutch with 7 receptions, 141 yards and 2 TDs, proved to be lethal daggers against UNA.

Eastern Kentucky Colonels (1-2) 22, Chattanooga Mocs (1-2, 0-1) 17

The Colonels are finally in the win column!

It wasn’t pretty, but style points don’t show up in the standings. In a messy slugfest defined by miscues and turnovers, the team that blinked the least and slammed the door the longest ended up on top.

With the aerial attack stalled out, EKU leaned heavily on its ground assault, piling up 274 yards and 2 TDs as Hensley, Travers and Latham split the assignments and carries. That three-headed backfield breathed life back into the Colonels late, clawing them back into the lead.

Ultimately, the defensive front won the war in the trenches and turned the key, forcing a decisive turnover on downs on Chattanooga's final drive. Over four quarters, EKU held the Mocs to a modest 3.8 yards per carry and completely shut down the passing game with zero passing touchdowns, one interception and just 135 yards allowed.

Arkansas State Red Wolves (1-1, FBS) 52, West Georgia Wolves (0-3) 7

Still no signs of life for West Georgia.

At the very least, they managed to save face and avoid a complete shutout. Move along. There really wasn't much else to write home about.

The rushing attack went nowhere with 75 yards, barely scraping past 3 yards per carry. The defense managed to stop Arkansas State from scoring on just a single drive all game, and the passing rhythm was stuck in the mud.

On the bright side, QB Colton Fitzgerald made the most of his opportunities under center, going 14-of-24 for 149 yards, 1 TD and 2 INTs. A real solution? The offensive line held its own in pass protection without generating much push.

After back-to-back blowouts against FBS competition, West Georgia has two weeks left before the gauntlet of UAC play kicks off, but things are looking grim.

Week 3 Preview

West Georgia Wolves (0-3) @ East Tennessee State Buccaneers (1-2)

Saturday, September 19 | 11 a.m. CT

Where to watch: ESPN+

It has become painfully obvious that relying solely on the passing game won’t cut it for West Georgia. If the Wolves want any shot at staying afloat, they desperately need to establish a ground attack that has looked atrocious so far. The matchup offers an opening: ETSU has shown real vulnerabilities against the run through the first three weeks.

West Georgia will have to flex some muscle in the box. Its linebacker corps remains a bright spot, so keep a close eye on Dre Delinois and Jarvis Johnson to set the tone and disrupt plays.

On the other side, the Bucs' offense has been coughing up the football far too often, a glaring weakness West Georgia must exploit. On paper, this is a winnable game to hit the reset button, but it will still be an uphill battle for a squad that currently looks like a shell of its former self.

Abilene Christian Wildcats (0-3) @ Idaho Vandals (0-3)

Saturday, September 19 | 3 p.m. CT

Where to watch: ESPN+

This looks like a manageable matchup on paper for ACU, even against Big Sky competition, but nothing is a given considering how the last few weeks have played out.

This Idaho squad has cracks all over the roster: a leaky run defense that got completely gouged against Utah, a running game that has struggled to get off the ground and a bad habit of turning the ball over.

Unfortunately for the Wildcats, their own backfield needs to find its footing in a hurry. They failed to plug running lanes against SFA, despite flashes earlier on, and have looked just as prone to putting the ball on the turf.

It could turn into an ugly grind, but it’s the ideal bounce-back spot to build some much-needed confidence.

Merrimack Warriors (1-2) @ Tarleton State Texans (3-0)

Saturday, September 19 | 6 p.m. CT

Where to watch: ESPN+

To be fair, Merrimack, one of the rare FCS independents, has hardly struck fear into anyone in 2026. Its ground game has failed to gain traction at a pedestrian 3.6 yards per carry, and the aerial attack poses little real threat.

The defense has been a total mixed bag: solid against the pass one week, stout against the run the next and only putting together a complete showing against Maine. The Warriors also have an untimely knack for gifting away turnovers and tend to fade down the stretch whenever their backs are against the wall.

Armed with a loaded stable of playmakers and the swagger of a genuine title contender, Tarleton should have no trouble dictating terms. Still, this has all the makings of a classic trap game if the Texans get caught looking past the Warriors.

Dayton Flyers (2-0) @ Eastern Kentucky Colonels (1-2)

Saturday, September 19 | 5 p.m. CT

Where to watch: ESPN+

Dayton’s unblemished record looks nice on paper, but the Flyers are still essentially going through warmups.

Against Division II Fairmont State, they made hard work of a 43-20 win, surrendering 20 points and 180 rushing yards while scraping together just 181 yards through the air against a subpar Falcons outfit. They followed that up against an underwhelming Thomas More squad, posting a balanced 30-7 box score despite giving up two sacks and tossing a pair of picks. Hardly inspiring.

That said, their aerial defense has flashed playmaking upside: 304 yards allowed, 5 picks, including three by ball-hawking safety Javawn Brooks, 5 sacks and 11 TFLs across two outings. That comes with a massive grain of salt given the lightweight competition.

EKU boasts the defensive talent to trade blows here. The Colonels may be walking a tightrope early on, but this matchup is squarely within their wheelhouse.

Alcorn State Braves (2-1, 1-0) @ North Alabama Lions (1-2)

Saturday, September 19 | 6 p.m. CT

Where to watch: ESPN+

Fresh off a wild 53-51 shootout win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Alcorn State finally unlocked a previously anemic ground attack that had lingered near the 3-yards-per-carry mark.

Their passing game remains electric behind quarterback Jaylon Tolbert, who has 869 yards and 10 TDs on the season, though the Braves continue to put the ball on the carpet far too frequently.

Defensively, Alcorn State has clamped down against the pass but hemorrhaged yardage against the run, staying afloat primarily on high-leverage takeaways, including five interceptions already.

Destin Wade and his Lions have the firepower to strike, provided they stay focused and exploit those front-seven soft spots. At the same time, UNA’s secondary must shore up its own lapses, or Alcorn could pick them apart through the air.

Austin Peay Governors (2-1) @ West Florida Argonauts (2-0)

Saturday, September 19 | 6 p.m. CT

Where to watch: ESPN+

A bona fide litmus test for both sides.

Austin Peay opens its UAC slate against this season’s early Cinderella crasher, offering the Governors a stage to prove what they are made of.

West Florida gets the home-field edge in Pensacola, a luxury that has already paid dividends, and the Argos have no intention of slowing their roll.

The focal point: How effectively can the Govs' defense cool down Ty’Ray Davis and his high-flying passing attack? Or perhaps the burden cuts both ways.

This shapes up as a cross-field defensive duel, where the unit that limits chunk plays through the air without getting gashed on the ground will likely drag its team across the finish line.

I can’t wait for this one.

Central Arkansas Bears (2-1, 0-1) @ Southeast Missouri State Redhawks (1-2)

Saturday, September 19 | 6 p.m. CT

Where to watch: ESPN+

SEMO shapes up as a sneaky puzzle for the Bears. The Redhawks have played gritty defense, hanging tough against the run.

While UCA leans on high-octane signal-caller Donovyn Omolo, SEMO’s secondary demands respect, especially havoc-creators DJ Delmore and David Jones.

On the other side, SEMO quarterback Braylen Ragland puts up respectable volume, but his habit of forcing throws into coverage hasn't been helped by an abysmal ground game, which has produced just 164 total rushing yards through three contests.

If Central Arkansas can disrupt SEMO's rhythm through the air and cash in on turnover opportunities, its offensive weapons should tilt the contest. The Bears just can’t afford another self-inflicted stumble like the West Florida letdown.