No. 17 UWF heads to Texas for road test at Abilene Christian

For the first time this season, No. 17 UWF football will hit the road through the air as they fly to the Lone Star State to take on Abilene Christian on Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. on ESPN+.

This is the second straight week the Argos (3-1, 1-1 United Athletic Conference) are on the road after beating Southeast Missouri State 20-17 on Sept. 26. The Wildcats (1-4) are coming off a 34-17 home loss to Mercer on Sept. 26. UWF will be playing in Texas for the first time since a 35-17 win at Texas A&M-Commerce on Sept. 18.

Below is how to watch and what to know about both teams.

How to watch

What: No. 17 UWF at Abilene Christian

When: 7 p.m. CT

Where: Anthony Field at Wildcat Stadium

Streaming: ESPN+

What to know about UWF

Last week was the first time the Argos faced serious adversity in their time in Division I.

Despite missing starting quarterback Ty'Ray Davis and starting running back TJ Lane, they found a way to leave Missouri with a win thanks to an incredible defensive performance. UWF's defense forced six turnovers, including on Southeast Missouri's last two possessions, to preserve the win. Kenyan Hunter's interception with 1:32 remaining all but sealed the game.

The Argos scored a touchdown off the Redbirds other second half turnover, with Donovan Leary hitting Jake Robbinette for a 20-yard touchdown with 14:52 to go in the fourth quarter. Leary completed 16 of 36 passes for 155 yards, a touchdown and an interception in his first start for WUF. The Sicklerville, New Jersey native previously suited up for Illinois in 2022-24 and Tulane in 2025.

The Argos running game struggled without Davis and Lane, running for just 39 yards on 22 carries. Townsend finished with a team-high 31 yards on 13 carries. That's where the defense stepped in with the bend but don't break mentality it's been using all season.

UWF has been outgained by an average of 39 yards per game, but has forced 13 turnovers and committed only nine, getting solid play at all three levels from guys like redshirt senior defensive lineman Byron Puryear (22 tackles, 3.5 sacks), redshirt sophomore linebacker Cameron Anderson (34 tackles, 2.5 sacks) and redshirt senior defensive back A'khoury Lyde (3 interceptions).

Special teams contributed too, as graduate student punter Michael Shine averaged 43.7 yards per punt on six punts, putting two inside the 20-yard line and two for touchbacks on his way to United Athletic Conference Special Teams Player of the Week honors.

What to know about Abilene Christian

The Wildcats have gone from back-to-back UAC champions and FCS playoff appearances to a 1-4 start and dropping from preseason No. 14 to out of the top 25 to start 2026. This is ACU's worst start to a season since the COVID-19 shortened 2020 campaign, though they've played the fifth toughest schedule in the FCS according to the Massey ratings.

It's 0-3 against ranked opponents, and also lost at Texas Tech 33-10 on Sept. 5. The Wildcats lone win came at Idaho in a 41-39 nailbiter on Sept. 19. They looked to be on the way to another against Mercer on Sept. 26, leading 17-7 in the second quarter before giving up 27 unanswered points and turning the ball over five times in a 25-play stretch.

ACU has used two redshirt sophomore quarterbacks this fall in John-David Black (54-95, 528 yards, 3 TD, 5 INT) and Tucker Parks (34-57, 408 yards, 2 TD, 5 INT). Redshirt senior running back Ro'Vaughn Banks (267 rushing yards) has just missed running for 100 yards in the last two games, though his 46 yard run against Mercer last week was the team's longest offensive play this season.

The Wildcats defense has struggled this season, allowing 402 yards per game, though redshirt senior defensive back Dillon Williams (49 tackles, 3 PBU) ranks second in the FBS in tackles per game. Redshirt junior defensive back Daveon Wilcox (42 tackles, INT, PBU) and graduate linebacker Darius Moore (37 tackles), rank third and seventh in the UAC, respectively, in tackles per game.

Abilene Christian has won six straight home conference openers and eight consecutive home conference games, going 4-0 in both 2024 and 2025.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: No. 17 UWF heads to Texas for road test at Abilene Christian