ODESSA, TX- It was Saturday night, but Arizona Christian University ventured into the hallowed grounds of "Friday Night Lights," outgaining and putting a scare into NCAA DII University of Texas-Permian Basin before succumbing 49-34 in a season-opening thriller that was in doubt until the final minute.

Leading 42-34 with less than a minute to play, on fourth and goal, UTPB's Jordan Williams squeezed into the end zone to turn away an ACU comeback and give the first-year program its second straight win.  The Firestorm (0-1) dropped their season opener in front of a noisy and confrontational Texas football crowd of nearly 10,000 in historic Ratliff Stadium, home of the Permian Panthers and location of filming for the movie and TV series based on the book "Friday Night Lights."

After taking first half leads of 6-0 and 12-7 on touchdown runs of 10 and 40 yards by Junior Quinta Thomas (pictured), UTPB responded with three scores in the final 3:23 of the first half.  The Panthers scored on a 26-yard fumble recovery for touchdown, followed by an 18-yard TD pass, and then blocked an ACU field goal attempt and returned it 40 yards for a touchdown as time expired in the first half, leaving ACU in a 21-12 hole at intermission.

UTPB extended the lead to 17 points in the third quarter 35-18, but the Firestorm would not quit.  A furious fourth-quarter Firestorm rally cut the lead to eight points, 42-34, prior to UTPB's touchdown in the final minute.

ACU junior quarterback Gerrit Groenewold, the 2015 Central States Football League Player of the Year, completed 26 of 41 passes for 293 yards and two TDs.  Thomas carried eight times for 85 yards and the two first-half TDs, while junior fullback Justin Carroll gained 78 yards on three carries, including a 67-yard touchdown run.  Junior wide receiver Johnathan Parks caught passes for 103 yards and two touchdowns.

Defensively, Junior Joshua Carter had eight tackles and Senior Timothy Clayton added seven.  Junior cornerback Zhi'irKane James ended one Panther drive with a spectacular interception.

For the game, ACU outgained UTPB with 545 yards of total offense, compared to 495 for the Panthers, but the ACU offense was slowed by four fumbles, three of which were lost.

Reflecting on his first game as the head coach of ACU football, Jeff Bowen stated, "As a team we did so many things well, and we made enough plays to win the game. Unfortunately, our errors were costly and they cost us a chance at victory.  As a coaching staff we were proud of the fight in the Firestorm. Even with our errors we were able to be within one score with five minutes to go."

Coach Bowen added, "We didn't get the outcome we wanted, but I know as players and coaches we will work extremely hard this week and get ready to go back to Texas and get a victory against Sul Ross State."

The Firestorm will return back to Texas next Saturday for game at NCAA DIII Sul Ross State.  Kick-off is set for 6:00 pm CDT/ 4:00 pm MST in Alpine, TX.