Tarleton State Texans defeated Abilene Christian Wildcats 40-27 on Saturday night to remain undefeated at 10-0 overall and 5-0 in the United Athletic Conference.
The Texans scored touchdowns on their first two offensive plays. Running back Tylan Hines ran 75 yards for a 7-0 lead. Quarterback Kaden Anderson then threw a 75-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Marquis Willis for a 14-3 advantage.
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Hines rushed 14 times for 145 yards and three touchdowns. Anderson completed 7 of 9 passes for 213 yards and two scores. Willis caught three passes for 166 yards — including a 41-yard touchdown reception.
Abilene Christian quarterback Tucker Parks completed 25 of 30 passes for 215 yards, threw one touchdown pass and ran for another. His 4-yard touchdown run cut Tarleton’s lead to four points, but Anderson responded with a 41-yard touchdown pass to Willis — giving the Texans a 21-10 lead after the first quarter.
Place kicker Brandon Perez made a 33-yard field goal early in the second quarter to bring ACU within eight. Running back James Paige scored from one yard out for a 28-13 halftime lead.
Parks’ 7-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Dallas Dudley was the only scoring play of the third quarter, trimming Tarleton’s lead to 28-20. Hines added touchdown runs of 6 and 13 yards in the fourth quarter to extend the margin to 40-20. Running back Brandon Johnson capped the scoring with an 8-yard touchdown run for ACU with 1:59 remaining.
Tarleton State, ranked No. 1 in the Stats Perform FCS poll, has scored at least 40 points seven times this season. Abilene Christian, ranked No. 23, fell to 5-5 overall and 4-1 in conference play.
Abilene Christian plays at Austin Peay next Saturday. Tarleton State travels to West Florida next Saturday.
More: NCAAF
