Abilene Christian has learned from FBS transition heading into Fresno State matchup

Running back De’Andre Brown didn’t choose to attend Abilene Christian just for football – he figured it would be a great place to grow spiritually.

But the sophomore is also delighted the Wildcats are in the third year of a four-year transition from Division II to Division I after accepting a bid to join the Southland Conference in 2012.

“We just have to understand the competition is better,” Brown said in advance of Thursday’s season-opener against Fresno State at Bulldog Stadium. “Every week we have a team we’re probably going to play that can possibly beat us if you don’t play right. The mindset of the team hasn’t changed as we go up to Division I.

“It’s every kid’s dream to play Division I college football. It’s very exciting.”

Abilene Christian was an NAIA member from 1970 to 1982 and then an NCAA Division II member from 1982 to 2012.

Last September, FCS member Abilene Christian earned its first victory against an FBS opponent in 55 years, rallying twice from 14-point deficits before defeating Troy 38-35. Quarterback Parker McKenzie, now a junior, passed for 312 yards and two touchdowns and Brown had a 47-yard touchdown run.

“The mood of the team changed when we realized we could actually play with them,” said Brown, a first-team preseason All-Southland Conference selection after rushing for 962 yards and nine touchdowns last season.

“When FCS teams play FBS teams, you’re thinking it’s like a David-and-Goliath-type of thing, but I think when we went into Troy we just understood we could actually compete with them. And once that happens and we play our type of game and play the way we play, we found out the results were good.”

Ken Collums is entering his fourth season as Wildcats coach; before that he was the offensive coordinator from 2005 to 2012. Over the past three seasons, Abilene Christian has averaged 287.8 passing yards per game and last fall McKenzie hit on 64.7 percent of his passes for 3,084 yards and 22 touchdowns against nine interceptions.

Collums said no matter the opponent or situation, he aims to keep his team focused on its strengths.

“The line between winning and losing is so thin,” said Collums, whose team finished last season 6-6 overall and 4-4 in the Southland Conference. “Kind of like Fresno: A play here and play there, and it’s a totally different ballgame.

“What we learned is when you go into a bigger situation, you have to remember what got you there. You have to do your thing and play your game. And if you make enough plays and do the right thing and stay out of disastrous-type plays, then you may look up and have a chance to win.”

Abilene Christian expects another test Thursday at Fresno State, which has gone 17-2 at Bulldog Stadium in coach Tim DeRuyter’s first three seasons.

“They don’t lose games at home. It’s unbelievable,” Collums said of the Bulldogs. “Not just lately – coach (Pat) Hill to way back when. Those guys … they don’t lose at home. They’ll rough you up and it doesn’t matter who is coming in there. That place is going to be crazy, going to be fun and it’s going to be a great atmosphere.”

This story was originally published September 1, 2015 at 7:01 PM with the headline "Abilene Christian has learned from FBS transition heading into Fresno State matchup."