Phoenix, AZ- After building a big lead, Arizona Christian had to sweat out their 36-29 win over Texas Wesleyan all the way down to the last play.  Freshman Aidan Quinn set an ACU single game rushing record with 233 yards on the ground while the defense used a bend but not break approach down the stretch.

Quinn carried the rock 22 times- twice into the end zone including from 62 yards out.  After giving up the lead, Freshman Maverick Gamez connected on touchdown passes to Sophomore Bailey Ehrlich and then Senior Kendrick Murphy (which turned out to be the winner).

Holding on to a one touchdown lead, the ACU defense faced a 1-10 from their 13 with less than a minute to play.  But the Firestorm surrendered just six yards and forced three incomplete passes by knocking away two passes away in the end zone as time ticked to 0:00.

Senior Zhi'irKane James recorded 11 tackles (and the pass break up on the final play).  Junior Jaron Green had two sacks.

Game Info

• Game score: Arizona Christian 36, Texas Wesleyan 29
• Records: Arizona Christian- 4-0, 2-0 SAC, Texas Wesleyan- 1-3, 1-1 SAC
• NAIA Top 25 Rank: Arizona Christian – 21, Texas Wesleyan - not ranked
• Location: Matador Stadium, Shadow Mountain High School, Phoenix, AZ

Offensive Stars

• Aidan Quinn - 22 carries, 233 rushing yards (broke ACU single record by eight yards), and two touchdowns
• Adam Abbatacola - 187 passing yards, 1 touchdown, 21 rushing yards
• Maverick Gamez - 60 yards passing, 2 touchdowns
• Bailey Ehrlich - 5 catches, 112 yards, 2 touchdowns

Defensive Stars

• Zhi'irKane James - 11 tackles (7 solo), pass break up
• Jaron Green - 9 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, and 1 blocked extra point
• Diante Flowers - 9 tackles
• Matthew Simpson- 8 tackles
• Isiah Gray - 8 tackles
• Domonic Mitchell - 7 tackles, interception

Inside The Numbers

• Firestorm opened with 21 points in the first quarter, Rams countered with 22 second quarter points for a 22-21 lead at the half
• ACU out gained TXWES offensively 524-403
• Both teams converted 23 first downs
• ACU lost turnover battle 2-1

Thoughts from Coach Bowen

"We are really proud of our guys and their ability to stay in games and keep fighting. They are giving us the chance to win and they are finding a way to win some close games.  If we can eliminate some of our mistakes, improve our special teams, and maybe become better students of the game we feel we can be a very complete football team."

Up Next

On Saturday, the Firestorm will hit the road for the first of back-to-back weekends when they head to Tyler, TX, to face Texas College.