Phoenix, AZ- ACU football played like they had a point to prove as they beat Bacone 47-12 on Saturday.  Their point was that they wanted to prove they belong in the upcoming NAIA Championship Series for the first time ever.  Point taken- but was it enough?

After punting to end their first possession, the Firestorm (7-3, 6-0 CSFL) scored a touchdown on every possession from there until their very last drive that ended on Bacone's one yard line as the final horn sounded.

Seven different Firestorm recorded a touchdown though Junior Gerrit Groenewold was on the throwing end of three of those touchdowns.  Freshman Alias Sturges rushed an end around into the end zone from six yards out for the first ACU TD.  Junior Johnathan Parks gathered in the first touchdown toss from Groenewold from 23 yards out.  Junior Tyler Dunken secured a catch about 10 yards off the line and pin balled off several would be tacklers before racing a total of 49 yards for the third ACU touchdown.  Sophomore Alan Freeman ran under a pass, made one cut, and was gone into the end zone.

At the half, ACU held a comfortable 26-0 lead.

In the second act, Sophomore Damario Fair added to the lead with a four yard touchdown run.  After the Warriors scored, Groenewold old took matters into his own hands.  Escaping three or four potential sacks, Groenewold stepped through the line and bounced to the outside for a 63 yard touchdown run.  The Warriors (2-8, 2-4 CSFL) scored again before Senior Quinta Thomas punched in a one yard run to cap the scoring effort.

Groenewold produced a total of 330 yards on the day- 242 passing and 88 on the ground.  Thomas rushed for 110 yards.  Parks and Dunken had a nice games with 78 and 74 yards receiving respectively.

Defensively, 23 different Firestorm recorded a tackle.  Senior Miko Kennedy-Goff topped ACU with seven tackles- three for loss including a sack.  Senior Timothy Clayton delivered 5.5 big tackles while grabbing two interceptions.  Senior Will Johnson and Junior Zhi'irKane James were each credited with four tackles.

Head Coach Jeff Bowen stated, ""It was a great team effort.  I think it shows without a doubt we are the best team in the CSFL- back-to-back undefeated league champs.  I strongly feel this group is deserving of a spot in the FCS NAIA Championship series."

Coach Bowen added, "I'm proud of our team, our senior leadership, and our coaching staff.  In three short years, we've established ourselves as the team to beat in the CSFL."

Now the Firestorm can only and see if it is enough to push them into the postseason.  The NAIA Championships Series field will be announced on Sunday at 4:00 pm CST/ 3:00 pm AT.