Saturday, August 31, 1996

ACU opens against New Mexico Highlands
By TED DUNNAM
Assistant Sports Editor

Amidst a possible field of streams, Abilene Christian University and New Mexico Highlands will attempt to provide fans with a quality look at their teams debuting under first-year head coaches today at soggy Shotwell Stadium.

Any game film on either team from last year wouldn't prove too beneficial as both teams have made sweeping changes, especially on the offensive side of the ball.

ACU head coach Jack Kiser has seen his team's game preparations limited by the inclement weather.

"It certainly hasn't helped us," Kiser said. "You never know what's going to happen on a muddy field. Normally, you'd think that a field that's in that type condition negates any advantage either team might have.

"But they've got that four-receiver set, and the receiver always knows where he's going. We like to throw the ball, too, so maybe it will benefit us, also."

Highlands head coach Carl Ferrill started spring drills with only 40 players, but now has nearly 100 in camp. The Cowboys are led by quarterback Jamie Sander, a 6-0, 220-pound senior transfer from Tennessee Tech.

In seven games as a starter last year, Sander completed 133 of 260 passes for 1,738 yards with 10 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

"We'll use a lot of audibles and no-huddle offense," Ferrill said. "We expect to put a lot of points on the board. We plan on having a winning season. We're not in the caliber of Fort Hays, but we will be a competitive football team."

ACU won the teams' meeting a year ago, 31-6.

Although ACU is also expected to travel the airways frequently, the Wildcats could have the ability to generate a strong ground game. An offensive line that averages nearly 300 pounds per man is anchored by the likes of heavyweights Milton Powell, Derek Delk, Trey Beeson and Brandon Avants.

They'll try to provide protection for University of Missouri transfer Mitch Alvarado, a junior who hopes to step in and give the Wildcats much needed strength at quarterback.
Defensively, the Wildcats look impressive on paper.

Two-time all-conference linebacker Shay Favors heads an impresive cast that also includes seven other starters including secondary standouts Stacy Brown, Vic Burke and Ramon Paul. Tackles James Hunter, Philip Bendele and linebackers Jody Brown and Robert Lewis also bring quality experience to the Wildcat defense.

"We really don't know what to expect from Highlands except that they should be a very football team," Kiser said. "I know their head coach brought in 10 junior college transfers from California. They've pretty much revamped their whole team.

"Defensively, they're a University of Miami clone. They run a lot of two-deep and eight-man front."
Kiser said weather conditions won't necessarily dictate what ACU does on offense.

"You'd have to ask coach (Bob) Shipley about that," Kiser said. "Obviously, a muddy field is going to limit some of what you do. But I've learned to always expect the unexpected. We'll try to run the things we did best in two-a-days and then go from there." New Mexico Highlands vs. ACU
* Where: Shotwell Stadium
* When: 6 p.m.
* Records: New Mexico Highlands 0-0; ACU 0-0
* Last year's game: ACU 31, Highlands 6
* Injuries: Highlands - none. ACU: DT Mitch Copeland (knee) doubtful; DT Sam Holt (possible torn ACL) out.
* Radio: KACU-FM (89.7)