ABILENE, Texas (AP) – Maverick McIvor passed for 350 yards and five touchdowns – three of them to Nehemiah Martinez – and Abilene Christian defeated Central Arkansas 41-34 on Saturday in a battle between ranked FCS teams from the United Athletic Conference.
McIvor staked Abilene Christian (4-2, 3-0), ranked 17th in the latest coaches poll, to a 7-0 lead on its first play from scrimmage with a 70-yard scoring strike to Martinez. ShunDerrick Powell scored on a 62-yard run two plays later to pull seventh-ranked Central Arkansas (4-2, 1-1) even.
McIvor added a 13-yard touchdown pass to Blayne Taylor for a 14-7 lead after one quarter. He connected with Hut Graham for a 9-yard score and Martinez for a 26-yarder to help the Wildcats take a 31-17 advantage into halftime.
Martinez’s final touchdown catch came from 3 yards out with 12:52 left to play.
The Bears had the ball at their own 32-yard-line with 1:11 remaining, but Will Shaffer picked off a Will McElvain second-down pass to wrap up the victory.
McIvor completed 22 of 36 passes for Abilene Christian. Martinez finished with 202 yards on seven receptions. Isaiah Johnson carried 15 times for 91 yards.
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