TICKETSMARTER WAC FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK ANNOUNCED

Sam Houston’s Keegan Shoemaker and Jahari Kay and Stephen F. Austin’s Max Quick have been named TicketSmarter Western Athletic Conference Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week, respectively, for September 27 through October 3.

Shoemaker, a sophomore quarterback from Prosper, Texas, made his first start as a Bearkat in one of the biggest games of the year, leading top-ranked Sam Houston to a 21-20 come-from-behind win over rival Stephen F. Austin in the Battle of the Piney Woods at NRG Stadium in Houston. On the day, he was 16-for-29 passing for 222.0 yards, finishing with two touchdowns and a 135.3 efficiency rating. He also rushed the ball seven times for seven total yards.

Kay, a senior defensive lineman from Berkely, Calif., led the Bearkat defense to a 21-20 win over rival Stephen F. Austin in the Battle of the Piney Woods at NRG Stadium in Houston. Establishing his place in the SFA backfield all day, he finished with 1.5 sacks and a pair of quarterback hurries while also forcing a fumble late in the game. He finished with eight tackles, including six solo stops.

Quick, a junior punter from Lufkin, Texas, notched five punts for 266 yards in the ‘Jacks upset bid against rival Sam Houston. Averaging 53.2 yards per punt, he kept the Bearkats deep in their own territory much of the game, placing one punt inside the 20 and recording a booming 74-yard punt as well. He currently leads the WAC in punting average a 49.8 yards per kick.

Other offensive nominees: Stephen F. Austin’s Xavier Gipson nearly led the ‘Jacks to an upset win over rival Sam Houston, recording nine catches for an even 100 yards receiving and a touchdown … Tarleton’s Tariq Bitson led the Texans in receiving for the third straight game, bringing in three catches for 66 years in a 20-3 loss at Eastern Kentucky.

Other defensive nominees: Stephen F. Austin’s Amad Murray posted four tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss, and recovered a fumble as the ‘Jacks battled rival Sam Houston in the Battle of the Piney Woods in Houston … Tarleton’s Devin Hafford earned his third interception and fifth takeaway of the year in the Texans’ 20-3 loss at Eastern Kentucky.

Other special teams nominees: Sam Houston’s Matt McRobert averaged 50.6 yards per punt while placing two punts within the 20 yard line and forcing one fair catch in the top-ranked Bearkats’ 21-20 win over rival Stephen F. Austin … Tarleton’s Jake Walrath boomed a 61-yard punt to pin EKU within their on 10-yard-line and finished with eight kicks for 367 yards in the Texans’ loss to the Colonels.

KICKING OFF

For the first time this season, the WAC has two top-25 teams as top-ranked Sam Houston plays host to Lamar while 23rd-ranked Stephen F. Austin heads to 24th-ranked Jacksonville State. Dixie State will have yet another nationally-ranked opponent, traveling to sixth-ranked Montana while Abilene Christian, who is receiving votes in the latest AFCA Top 25, makes the trip to Eastern Kentucky.

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

As a team, Sam Houston leads the WAC in scoring offense (40.0), total offense (472.0), rushing offense (211.0), rushing defense (82.0), third-down conversions (43.86) and are tied for the lead with Lamar for field goal percentage (100.0). Stephen F. Austin is the leader in total defense (271.0), scoring defense (17.0), pass defense efficiency (96.3), passing offense (272.6), passing defense (167.4), total passing yards (1363), field goals made (11), punt average (41.3), punt return average (22.1), interceptions (9), turnover margin (+1.2), sacks by (15) and time of possession (31:28). Abilene Christian has the top spot in touchdowns scored (25), total offense yards (2074), pass efficiency (158.5), total rushing yards (993), pass completion percentage (.674), passing touchdowns (13). Tarleton is tied with ACU for the lead in rushing touchdowns (9) and also holds the lead in kick returns touchdowns (1), first downs (105) and red zone defense (.750).

Individually, SHSU’s Ramon Jefferson is the leader in rushing (115.25) and teammate Eric Schmid is the leader in total offnese (288.0) and passing average (267.0). SFA kicker Chris Campos is tops in scoring (10.6) and teammate Xavier Gipson holds the lead in receiving yards per game (109.25) and all-purpose yards (130.25). ACU quarterback Stone Earle has the lead in pass efficiency (167.11). SFA’s Max Quick has the top punting average (49.81) and teammate Campos is the leader in total field goals (11). Lamar kicker Bailey Giffen and SHSU kicker Seth Morgan are tied for field goal percentage (100.0).

On defense, DSU’s Tyrell Grayson is the leader in tackles (11.25) and the SFA trio of Edward Bobino, BJ Thompson and BJ Scarlett are tied for the lead in sacks/game (1.00) while Thompson is also the leader in fumbles forced (2). SHSU’s Markel Perry is the leader in tackles for loss/game (2.25) and Tarleton’s Devin Hafford has the lead in fumbles recovered (2). SHSU’s Jaylen Thomas, SFA’s Myles Brooks and TAR’s Hafford are all tied for the lead in interceptions with three each.

BEST IN THE COUNTRY

After helping lead Sam Houston to a 21-20 rivalry win over Stephen F. Austin in the Battle of the Piney Woods, senior defensive end Jahari Kay has been named Stats Perform FCS Defensive Player of the Week. He finished with eight tackles (six solos), including 2.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks. He also forced a fumble late in the game and had two quarterback hurries and a pass breakup.

NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED

Sam Houston remains the top team in the two major FCS polls, ranking first in both the Stats Perform Top 25 and AFCA Coaches’ Top 25. The Bearkats are also third in the College Sports Madness Top 25 and fourth in the Athlon Sports Top 25. Despite the BOTPW loss, Stephen F. Austin moved into the Stats Perform Top 25 for the first time since 2015. The ‘Jacks are also receiving votes in the AFCA polls and are ranked 23rd in the CSM Top 25. Abilene Christian is also receiving votes in the AFCA poll.

BATTLE OF THE PINEY WOODS

In a rivalry dating back to 1923, the Battle of the Piney Woods lived up to expectations, with top-ranked Sam Houston eeking past Stephen F. Austin, 21-20, to stretch their BOTPW win streak to 10.

FREE FOOTBALL

Lamar’s 17-10 win over Northern Colorado was the WAC’s first overtime game of the FCS era and the 59th in the conference’s history since college overtime was introduced in 1996.

GUESS WHO’S BACK?

It’s a new era as football returns for the WAC for the first time since 2012, this time at the Football Championship Subdivision. Led by defending FCS national champion Sam Houston, the new incarnation of WAC football will also include Abilene Christian, Dixie State, Lamar, Stephen F. Austin and Tarleton. In 50 years at the FBS level, the WAC was home to the consensus 1984 national champion (Brigham Young), the winner of the 1990 Heisman Trophy (Ty Detmer, QB, Brigham Young) and the first pick of the 2002 NFL Draft (David Carr, QB, Fresno State).

PRESEASON HONORS

Fresh off winning the tophy, Sam Houston had a pair of players pick up Preseason All-America honors, earning a spot on the Athlon Preseason All-America team. Defensive lineman Jahari Kay and teammate Jequez Ezzard (punt returner) earned the recognition.



Seven WAC football players were recognized on the Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America Teams. Kay, Ezzard and Sam Houston defensive back Zyon McCollum earned first team honors. Sam Houston Quarterback Eric Schmid was joined by teammate Joseph Wallace and SFA receiver Xavier Gipson on the second team. SHSU offensive lineman Colby Thomas was a third team selection.

IN THE RUNNING

Sam Houston quarterback Eric Schmid and wide receiver/returner Jequez Ezzard are among 35 players named to the Walter Payton Award Watch List, which is presented to the top offensive player nationally in collegie football’s Division I championship subdivision.

On the other side of the ball, SHSU’s Jahari Kay and Zyon McCollum are on the watch list for the Buck Buchanan Award, which goes to the top defensive player nationally in FCS.

PLAYING THE BEST

Not looking to shy away from anyone, Dixie State has one of the toughest schedules in FCS, taking on four non-conference opponents that played in last spring’s FCS tournament, in addition to traveling to WAC-foe Sam Houston. The four members of the AQ7 will also take on Jacksonville State, who represented the Ohio Valley Conference in the FCS playoffs.

Non-Conference Games Against 2020 FCS Playoff Teams

Sep. 11 - Weber State at Dixie State

Oct. 2 - Dixie State at South Dakota State

Oct. 9 - Stephen F. Austin at Jacksonville State (AQ7)

Oct. 23 - Jacksonville State at Sam Houston (AQ7)

Oct. 30 - Dixie State at Delaware

Nov. 6 - Abilene Christian at Jacksonville State (AQ7)

Nov. 13 - Jacksonville State at Lamar (AQ7)

Nov. 20 - Missouri State at Dixie State

WAC FOOTBALL ON ESPN

As part of an expanded multi-year, multi-platform media rights agreement announced on Aug. 24, all home football games in the WAC for the next four years will reside on ESPN platforms. In addition, all home men’s and women’s basketball, as well as other select events, will be housed on ESPN digital platforms.

COACHES SELECT SAM HOUSTON, SCHMID, KAY AS PRESEASON FAVORITES

With college football returning to the Western Athletic Conference for the first time since 2012, defending national champion Sam Houston is the favorite to win the 2021 WAC title while Bearkats quarterback Eric Schmid and defensive lineman Jahari Kay were selected WAC Preseason Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, respectively, in a vote of the league’s six head coaches, who could not vote for their own team or players.

Schmid led the Preseason All-WAC Offense and is joined by teammates Ramon Jefferson, Jequez Ezzard, Isaac Schley, Eleasah Anderson, Prince Pines and Colby Thomas. Stephen F. Austin was represented by Xavier Gipson and Zach Ingram while Tarleton earned honors from Tariq Bitson and Zachary Perry. Dixie State running back Quali Conley earned the final offensive spot.

On defense, Kay was joined by teammates Trace Mascorro, Joseph Wallace, Quentin Brown, Trevor Williams, Zyon McCollum and Jaylen Thomas. SFA’s Brandon Thompson Jr. and Brevin Randle were recognized, as was Tarleton duo Ronnell Wilson and Devin Hafford. Lamar’s Anthony Ruffin represented the Cardinals in the preseason awards.

On special teams, Sam Houston kicker Seth Morgan and punter Matt McRobert were recognized and Ezzard earned the spot reserved for kick returner.

Sam Houston earned all five possible first place votes to earn 20 points. Stephen F. Austin earned the final first place votes and 16 points to earn second place. Tarleton is picked third with 11 points, followed by Lamar and Abilene Christian. Dixie State, who will be eligible for all individual awards, will not be playing a full WAC schedule due to previous non-conference game contracts.

SAM HOUSTON PICKED TO WIN AQ7

After lifting the NCAA FCS National Championship trophy in May, the Sam Houston Bearkats are expected to return to the postseason as AQ7 champions as voted on by the seven head coaches of the alliance, which made up on four institutions from the Western Athletic Conference and three from the Atlantic Sun Conference.

The Bearkats earned all seven first place votes to score a perfect 49 points. Central Arkansas was picked second with 40 points, followed closely by Jacksonville State in third with 37 points. Stephen F. Austin is fourth with 27 points, followed by Eastern Kentucky, Abilene Christian and Lamar.

COMING SOON

The WAC will expand yet again on July 1, 2022 as Southern Utah University joins the party. The Thunderbirds are currently members of the Big Sky Conference and will make the switch in all sports.

Chris Thompson
Assistant Commissioner - Media Relations
Western Athletic Conference