ABILENE, Texas – The UWG football team came up on the wrong end of a hard-fought United Athletic Conference opener against Abilene Christian falling 38-24 on the road in West Texas.
West Georgia (1-1, 0-1 UAC) trailed 21-3 early in the second half before fighting back to make it a one-possession game in the final quarter before Abilene Christian (1-1, 1-0 UAC) closed out the Wolves by a 14-point margin in their 2024 home opener.
Abilene Christian's offensive attack put up 499 yards and 38 points on UWG's defense, a week after putting up over 600 yards and 51 points on Big XII opponent Texas Tech. West Georgia's offense had 344 yards of offense, and had to fight through an early injury at quarterback.
In relief, Quincy Casey threw for 201 yards and a pair of touchdowns to Dylan Gary, who ended the night with a game-high 153 yards on seven catches with the two scores. Casey also led the Wolves in rushing with 50 yards and ran in a score in late in the game.
ACU went 87 yards on their opening drive to take a 7-0 lead, scoring on a 27-yard rush by Sam Hicks. The Wildcats would add one more score before the end of the first quarter, and UWG would get on the board early in the second quarter as Chance Gagnon connected on a 31-yard field goal to make it a 14-3 deficit.
West Georgia had another scoring opportunity, but this time Gagnon's attempt would be blocked by the Wildcats.
After a key sack on third down by Warren-Stevens Tayou, the Wildcats would attempt a field goal of their own to end the half, but the kick sailed wide right, sending the teams to the break with ACU up, 14-3.
On the opening possession of the second half, the Wolves turned it over on downs at the ACU 27, and two plays later the Wildcats cashed it in, scoring on a 72-yard touchdown pass from Maverick McIvor to Nehemiah Martinez to extend the lead to 21-3.
It looked like Abilene Christian would add on to their lead as they drove deep into UWG territory before Mar'Quavious Moss sacked McIvor and forced a fumble and gave the offense the ball back.
The offense wouldn't capitalize yet, as the Wolves would be forced to punt and would then recover a muffed punt. UWG's offense would then capitalize as Quincy Casey hit Dylan Gary on a 27-yard touchdown reception to make it a 21-10 deficit late in the third quarter.
ACU would tack on a field goal on their ensuing possession, stretching the lead to two touchdowns with 12:31 left in the game.
West Georgia's next drive was another score and again it was Casey finding Gary from 22 yards out to make it a seven-point game with just under 10 to play.
The Wildcats would then score on their next drive, and intercept Casey on UWG's ensuing drive and punch it in the endzone again to stretch the lead to 21 points.
Casey would call his own number in the closing seconds, running in the QB keeper from the two-yard line to account for the final margin.
Malachi Williams led the UWG defense with eight total tackles while Jay Carter chipped in with seven and Jelen Lee had five. Moss led the way in sacks with two including the one that forced the lone takeaway by UWG's defense.
The Wolves are back on the road next week, continuing UAC play at Eastern Kentucky. Kickoff from Roy Kidd Stadium is set for 6 p.m. EST in Richmond, Kentucky.
