Northern Arizona at Abilene Christian

Saturday, November 30, 2024, FCS Championship – First Round

Abilene Christian beat Northern Arizona 24–⁠0. It was their second meeting; the series is even at 1–⁠1.

AwayNorthern Arizona8–⁠5 in 2024
0
HomeAbilene Christian9–⁠5 in 2024
24

Final at Wildcat Stadium (TX), AbileneTV: ESPN+Attendance 5,210

At kickoff
61°F, clear, calmWeather: NOAA NCEI Integrated Surface Database; Abilene Regional Airport (KABI), 7 km from the stadium, eight minutes before kickoff
Official
Jeremy DeAngeloGame officials: stats.ncaa.org box scores, via SportsDataverse

Scoring by quarter

TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Northern Arizona00000
Abilene Christian7301424

Standouts

  • RushingSam Hicks22 carries, 171 yards, 1 TDAbilene Christian
  • ReceivingBlayne Taylor5 catches, 89 yards, 1 TDAbilene Christian
  • DefenseMikale Greer1 INTNorthern Arizona

Player stats

Northern Arizona

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Ty Pennington16/3116501
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Seth Cromwell819018
Isaiah Eastman3808
Ty Pennington10509
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Tay Lanier136036
Ta’ir Brooks234023
Bryzai White334023
Isaiah Gerena333024
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Mikale Greer0001
Tommy Ellis0001
Alex McLaughlin0001

Abilene Christian

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Carson Haggard23/2924423
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Sam Hicks22171153
Nehemiah Martinez534029
Carson Haggard212010
Jordon Vaughn2807
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Blayne Taylor589147
Sam Hicks564025
Trey Cleveland460137
Nehemiah Martinez721014
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Dorian Plumley0001

From CollegeFootballData’s box score. Names lead to each player’s page. ★ a career high on file.

Team stats

Northern ArizonaAbilene Christian
194Total yards474
165Passing yards244
29Rushing yards230
5.3Yards per pass8.4
1.2Yards per rush6.8
11First downs18
3–⁠14Third downs6–⁠12
0–⁠2Fourth downs1–⁠1
1Turnovers3
5–⁠35Penalties8–⁠75
26:25Possession33:35

Efficiency

Northern ArizonaAbilene Christian
24%Success rate43%
−0.32EPA per play0.19
1.14Explosiveness1.50
−0.35Rushing EPA0.23
−0.31Passing EPA0.15
8%Passing-down success46%
5%Havoc by its defense2%

From CollegeFootballData.com: each offense’s efficiency, and the havoc each defense caused. The better side of each line is bold.

Before kickoff

Our ratings and the line, going in

Our ratings (scores only)

Abilene Christian 52% to win. Elo’s favorite won.

The line

Northern Arizona −2.5, over/under 55.5.

The last line on file before kickoff: the consensus line when the books publish one, otherwise a single major sportsbook’s.

Every drive

Abilene Christian end zoneNorthern Arizona end zoneQ1 Northern ArizonaPunt, 7 playsQ1 Abilene ChristianPunt, 3 playsQ1 Northern ArizonaPunt, 6 playsQ1 Abilene ChristianTouchdown, 10 playsQ1 Northern ArizonaPunt, 4 playsQ1 Abilene ChristianInterception, 2 playsQ2 Northern ArizonaInterception, 2 playsQ2 Abilene ChristianInterception, 4 playsQ2 Northern ArizonaTurnover on downs, 6 playsQ2 Abilene ChristianField goal, 10 playsQ2 Northern ArizonaPunt, 6 playsQ2 Abilene ChristianEnd of half, 1 playQ3 Abilene ChristianPunt, 8 playsQ3 Northern ArizonaPunt, 8 playsQ3 Abilene ChristianInterception, 10 playsQ4 Northern ArizonaPunt, 3 playsQ4 Abilene ChristianPunt, 3 playsQ4 Northern ArizonaPunt, 3 playsQ4 Abilene ChristianTouchdown, 1 playQ4 Northern ArizonaPunt, 3 playsQ4 Abilene ChristianTouchdown, 11 playsQ4 Northern ArizonaTurnover on downs, 7 playsQ4 Abilene ChristianEnd of game, 1 play
Solid bars scored; an outline in the other team’s color marks points the defense scored. Abilene Christian drives left to right, Northern Arizona right to left.
  1. Q1 Northern ArizonaPunt, 7 plays, 25 yards
  2. Q1 Abilene ChristianPunt, 3 plays, 7 yards
  3. Q1 Northern ArizonaPunt, 6 plays, 17 yards
  4. Q1 Abilene ChristianTouchdown, 10 plays, 97 yards
  5. Q1 Northern ArizonaPunt, 4 plays, 15 yards
  6. Q1 Abilene ChristianInterception, 2 plays, 3 yards
  7. Q2 Northern ArizonaInterception, 2 plays, −5 yards
  8. Q2 Abilene ChristianInterception, 4 plays, 29 yards
  9. Q2 Northern ArizonaTurnover on downs, 6 plays, 48 yards
  10. Q2 Abilene ChristianField goal, 10 plays, 66 yards
  11. Q2 Northern ArizonaPunt, 6 plays, 14 yards
  12. Q2 Abilene ChristianEnd of half, 1 play, 4 yards
  13. Q3 Abilene ChristianPunt, 8 plays, 41 yards
  14. Q3 Northern ArizonaPunt, 8 plays, 47 yards
  15. Q3 Abilene ChristianInterception, 10 plays, 70 yards
  16. Q4 Northern ArizonaPunt, 3 plays, −6 yards
  17. Q4 Abilene ChristianPunt, 3 plays, 8 yards
  18. Q4 Northern ArizonaPunt, 3 plays, 0 yards
  19. Q4 Abilene ChristianTouchdown, 1 play, 53 yards
  20. Q4 Northern ArizonaPunt, 3 plays, −8 yards
  21. Q4 Abilene ChristianTouchdown, 11 plays, 67 yards
  22. Q4 Northern ArizonaTurnover on downs, 7 plays, 57 yards
  23. Q4 Abilene ChristianEnd of game, 1 play, −1 yard

Play by play

1st quarter6 drives, then Abilene Christian 7, Northern Arizona 0
Northern Arizona Punt, 7 plays
15:00Kyler Meschi kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
15:001st & 10 at own 25Ty Pennington pass complete to Isaiah Gerena for 5 yds to the NAU 30
15:002nd & 5 at own 30Seth Cromwell run for 1 yd to the NAU 31
15:003rd & 4 at own 31Ty Pennington pass complete to Isaiah Gerena for 4 yds to the NAU 35 for a 1ST down
15:001st & 10 at own 35Abilene Christian Penalty, Unsportsmanlike Conduct (Jordan Mukes) to the 50 yard line for a 1ST down
15:001st & 10 at the 50Ty Pennington pass incomplete
15:002nd & 10 at the 50Ty Pennington pass incomplete
15:003rd & 10 at the 50Ty Pennington pass complete to Seth Cromwell for no gain to the 50 yard line
11:404th & 10 at the 50Ben D’Aquila punt for 50 yds for a touchback
Abilene Christian Punt, 3 plays
11:401st & 10 at own 20Carson Haggard pass complete to Trey Cleveland for 7 yds to the ACU 27
11:402nd & 3 at own 27Abilene Christian Penalty, False Start (-5 Yards) to the ACU 22
11:402nd & 8 at own 22Carson Haggard pass complete to Nehemiah Martinez I for 5 yds to the ACU 27
11:403rd & 3 at own 27Carson Haggard pass incomplete
10:104th & 3 at own 27Grant Nickel punt for 37 yds , Isaiah Eastman returns for no gain to the NAU 36
Northern Arizona Punt, 6 plays
10:101st & 10 at own 36Ty Pennington pass incomplete
10:102nd & 10 at own 36Isaiah Eastman run for no gain to the NAU 36
10:103rd & 10 at own 36Ty Pennington pass incomplete
9:074th & 10 at own 36D’AQUILA, Ben punt 56 yards to the ACU8 downed by WERNER, Xander, clock 09:07. PENALTY ACU Personal Foul on LEBECHI, Chidubem enforced 15 yards from the NARIZ36 to the ACU49 and results in automatic 1ST DOWN [FAKE PUNT]. NO PLAY (replay the down).
9:071st & 10 at opp 49Northern Arizona Penalty, False Start (-5 Yards) to the NAU 46
9:071st & 15 at own 46Ty Pennington pass complete to Isaiah Eastman for 5 yds to the ACU 49
9:072nd & 10 at opp 49Ty Pennington pass complete to Bryzai White for 2 yds to the ACU 47
9:073rd & 8 at opp 47Ty Pennington pass incomplete
7:544th & 8 at opp 47Ben D’Aquila punt for 44 yds
Abilene Christian Touchdown, 10 plays
7:541st & 10 at own 3Sam Hicks run for no gain to the ACU 3
7:542nd & 10 at own 3Carson Haggard pass complete to Sam Hicks for 5 yds to the ACU 8
7:543rd & 5 at own 8Carson Haggard run for 10 yds to the ACU 18 for a 1ST down
7:541st & 10 at own 18Carson Haggard pass complete to Nehemiah Martinez I for 4 yds to the ACU 22
7:542nd & 6 at own 22Sam Hicks run for 24 yds to the ACU 46 for a 1ST down
7:541st & 10 at own 46Carson Haggard pass incomplete
7:542nd & 10 at own 46Carson Haggard pass complete to Blayne Taylor for 7 yds to the NAU 47
7:543rd & 3 at opp 47Carson Haggard pass complete to Hut Graham for 8 yds to the NAU 39 for a 1ST down
7:541st & 10 at opp 39Carson Haggard pass complete to J.J. Henry for 2 yds to the NAU 37
3:182nd & 8 at opp 37Carson Haggard pass complete to Trey Cleveland for 37 yds for a TD (Ritse Vaes KICK)Abilene Christian 7, Northern Arizona 0
Northern Arizona Punt, 4 plays
3:04Kyler Meschi kickoff for 63 yds , Tay Lanier return for 20 yds to the NAU 22
3:041st & 10 at own 22Seth Cromwell run for 18 yds to the NAU 40 for a 1ST down
3:041st & 10 at own 40Seth Cromwell run for 2 yds to the NAU 42
3:042nd & 8 at own 42Seth Cromwell run for a loss of 1 yard to the NAU 41
3:043rd & 9 at own 41Ty Pennington sacked by Kaghen Roach for a loss of 4 yards to the NAU 37
0:314th & 13 at own 37Ben D’Aquila punt for 44 yds , Nehemiah Martinez I returns for no gain to the ACU 19
Abilene Christian Interception, 2 plays
0:001st & 10 at own 19Sam Hicks run for 3 yds to the ACU 22
Q2 14:572nd & 7 at own 22Carson Haggard pass intercepted Mikale Greer return for no gain to the ACU 25
2nd quarter6 drives, then Abilene Christian 10, Northern Arizona 0
Northern Arizona Interception, 2 plays
14:571st & 10 at opp 25Darvon Hubbard run for no gain to the ACU 25
14:572nd & 10 at opp 25Northern Arizona Penalty, False Start (-5 Yards) to the ACU 30
13:372nd & 15 at opp 30Ty Pennington pass intercepted Dorian Plumley return for 24 yds to the ACU 24
Abilene Christian Interception, 4 plays
13:371st & 10 at own 24Carson Haggard pass complete to Nehemiah Martinez I for no gain to the ACU 24
13:372nd & 10 at own 24Nehemiah Martinez I run for 29 yds to the NAU 47 for a 1ST down
13:371st & 10 at opp 47Nehemiah Martinez I run for no gain to the NAU 47
11:572nd & 10 at opp 47Carson Haggard pass intercepted Alex McLaughlin return for 2 yds to the NAU 47
Northern Arizona Turnover on downs, 6 plays
11:571st & 10 at own 47Ty Pennington pass complete to Bryzai White for 23 yds to the ACU 30 for a 1ST down
11:571st & 10 at opp 30Ty Pennington pass complete to Isaiah Gerena for 24 yds to the ACU 6 for a 1ST down
11:571st & goal at opp 6Darvon Hubbard run for a loss of 3 yards to the ACU 9
11:572nd & goal at opp 9Ty Pennington pass incomplete
11:573rd & goal at opp 9Ty Pennington pass complete to Isaiah Eastman for 8 yds to the ACU 1
9:304th & goal at opp 1Ty Pennington run for a loss of 4 yards to the ACU 5
Abilene Christian Field goal, 10 plays
9:301st & 10 at own 5Sam Hicks run for 6 yds to the ACU 11
9:302nd & 4 at own 11Sam Hicks run for 11 yds to the ACU 22 for a 1ST down
9:301st & 10 at own 22Sam Hicks run for 5 yds to the ACU 27
9:302nd & 5 at own 27Sam Hicks run for no gain to the ACU 27
9:303rd & 5 at own 27Carson Haggard pass complete to Blayne Taylor for 47 yds to the NAU 26 for a 1ST down
9:301st & 10 at opp 26Nehemiah Martinez I run for 1 yd to the NAU 25
9:302nd & 9 at opp 25HICKS, Sam rush to the right for a gain of 8 yards to the NARIZ17 (MCLAUGHLIN, Alex). PENALTY ACU Holding on THIELEN, Jacob enforced 10 yards from the NARIZ25 to the NARIZ35 [NHSG]. NO PLAY (replay the down).
4:472nd & 19 at opp 35Carson Haggard pass complete to Sam Hicks for 35 yds Abilene Christian Penalty, Offensive Holding (-10 Yards) to the NAU 28
4:472nd & 12 at opp 28QB Keeper HAGGARD, Carson rush to the left for a loss of 3 yards, HAGGARD, Carson fumbled at NARIZ31 , recovered by ACU HAGGARD, Carson at the NARIZ31, returned 0 yards to the NARIZ31, End of Play. PENALTY ACU Holding on HATTEN, Alan enforced 10 yards from the NARIZ28 to the NARIZ38 [NHSG]. NO PLAY (replay the down).
4:472nd & 22 at opp 38Carson Haggard pass complete to Sam Hicks for 3 yds to the NAU 35
4:473rd & 19 at opp 35Sam Hicks run for 6 yds to the NAU 29
3:174th & 13 at opp 29Ritse Vaes 46 yd FG GOODAbilene Christian 10, Northern Arizona 0
Northern Arizona Punt, 6 plays
3:17Kyler Meschi kickoff for 62 yds
3:171st & 10 at own 25Isaiah Eastman run for 8 yds to the NAU 33
3:172nd & 2 at own 33Ty Pennington pass complete to Xander Werner for no gain to the NAU 33
3:173rd & 2 at own 33Ty Pennington run for 3 yds to the NAU 36 for a 1ST down
3:171st & 10 at own 36Ty Pennington pass complete to Seth Cromwell for 3 yds to the NAU 39
3:172nd & 7 at own 39Seth Cromwell run for no gain to the NAU 39
3:173rd & 7 at own 39Ty Pennington pass incomplete
0:474th & 7 at own 39Ben D’Aquila punt for 46 yds , Nehemiah Martinez I returns for 1 yd to the ACU 16
Abilene Christian End of half, 1 play
0:001st & 10 at own 16Sam Hicks run for 4 yds to the ACU 20
3rd quarter3 drives, then Abilene Christian 10, Northern Arizona 0
Abilene Christian Punt, 8 plays
15:00Marcus Lye kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
15:001st & 10 at own 25Nehemiah Martinez I run for a loss of 1 yard to the ACU 24
15:002nd & 11 at own 24Carson Haggard pass incomplete
15:003rd & 11 at own 24Carson Haggard pass complete to Blayne Taylor for 23 yds to the ACU 47 for a 1ST down
15:001st & 10 at own 47Carson Haggard pass complete to Nehemiah Martinez I for no gain to the ACU 47
15:002nd & 10 at own 47Carson Haggard pass complete to Trey Cleveland for 15 yds to the NAU 38 for a 1ST down
15:001st & 10 at opp 38Sam Hicks run for 7 yds to the NAU 31
15:002nd & 3 at opp 31Carson Haggard pass complete to Nehemiah Martinez I for a loss of 4 yards to the NAU 35
15:003rd & 7 at opp 35Carson Haggard pass complete to Trey Cleveland for 1 yd to the NAU 34
10:314th & 6 at opp 34Grant Nickel punt for 33 yds, downed at the NAU 1
Northern Arizona Punt, 8 plays
10:311st & 10 at own 1Ty Pennington run for 1 yd to the NAU 2
10:312nd & 9 at own 2Seth Cromwell run for a loss of 1 yard to the NAU 1
10:313rd & 10 at own 1Ty Pennington pass complete to Tay Lanier for 36 yds to the NAU 37 for a 1ST down
10:311st & 10 at own 37Seth Cromwell run for 1 yd to the NAU 38
10:312nd & 9 at own 38Ty Pennington pass complete to Ta’ir Brooks for 11 yds to the NAU 49 for a 1ST down
10:311st & 10 at own 49PENNINGTON, Ty pass deep up the middle incomplete intended for BROOKS, Ta’ir thrown to the ACU5. PENALTY NARIZ Ineligible Receiver Downfield on Pass on FRIAS III, Ralph enforced 5 yards from the NARIZ49 to the NARIZ44 [NHSG]. NO PLAY (replay the down).
10:311st & 15 at own 44Ty Pennington pass incomplete
10:312nd & 15 at own 44Ty Pennington sacked by Luke Gambs for a loss of 5 yards to the NAU 39
10:313rd & 20 at own 39Ty Pennington run for 9 yds to the NAU 48
5:274th & 11 at own 48Ben D’Aquila punt for 41 yds , Nehemiah Martinez I returns for 4 yds to the ACU 15
Abilene Christian Interception, 10 plays
5:271st & 10 at own 15Sam Hicks run for a loss of 1 yard to the ACU 14
5:272nd & 11 at own 14Carson Haggard pass complete to Nehemiah Martinez I for 14 yds to the ACU 28 for a 1ST down
5:271st & 10 at own 28Carson Haggard pass complete to Sam Hicks for 14 yds to the ACU 42 for a 1ST down
5:271st & 10 at own 42Nehemiah Martinez I run for 5 yds to the ACU 47
5:272nd & 5 at own 47Carson Haggard pass complete to Sam Hicks for 25 yds to the NAU 28 for a 1ST down
5:271st & 10 at opp 28Sam Hicks run for 3 yds to the NAU 25
5:272nd & 7 at opp 25Rovaughn Banks Jr. run for 3 yds to the NAU 22
5:273rd & 4 at opp 22HAGGARD, Carson pass deep to the left incomplete intended for TAYLOR, Blayne thrown to the NARIZ0. PENALTY NARIZ Pass Interference on VANHOOK, DJ enforced at the spot of the foul for 15 yards to the NARIZ7 and results in automatic 1ST DOWN [NHSG]. NO PLAY (replay the down).
5:271st & goal at opp 7Sam Hicks run for 4 yds to the NAU 3
0:002nd & goal at opp 3Sam Hicks run for a loss of 2 yards to the NAU 5
Q4 15:003rd & goal at opp 5Abilene Christian Penalty, False Start (J.J. Henry) to the NAU 10
Q4 15:003rd & goal at opp 10Abilene Christian Penalty, False Start (Nehemiah Martinez I) to the NAU 15
Q4 14:543rd & goal at opp 15Carson Haggard pass intercepted Tommy Ellis return for no gain to the NAU 11
4th quarter8 drives, then Abilene Christian 24, Northern Arizona 0
Northern Arizona Punt, 3 plays
14:541st & 10 at own 11Seth Cromwell run for a loss of 1 yard to the NAU 10
14:542nd & 11 at own 10Ty Pennington pass incomplete
14:543rd & 11 at own 10Ty Pennington pass incomplete
14:544th & 11 at own 10Northern Arizona Penalty, False Start (-5 Yards) to the NAU 5
13:514th & 16 at own 5Ben D’Aquila punt for 53 yds , Nehemiah Martinez I returns for 10 yds to the NAU 48
Abilene Christian Punt, 3 plays
13:511st & 10 at opp 48Sam Hicks run for no gain to the NAU 48
13:512nd & 10 at opp 48Carson Haggard pass complete to Nehemiah Martinez I for 2 yds to the NAU 46
13:513rd & 8 at opp 46Carson Haggard pass complete to Blayne Taylor for 6 yds to the NAU 40
12:004th & 2 at opp 40Grant Nickel punt for 34 yds, fair catch by Isaiah Eastman at the NAU 6
Northern Arizona Punt, 3 plays
12:001st & 10 at own 6J’Wan Evans run for no gain to the NAU 6
12:002nd & 10 at own 6Ty Pennington pass incomplete
12:003rd & 10 at own 6Ty Pennington sacked by Kaghen Roach and Jerry Lawson for 0 yards to the NAU 6
10:264th & 10 at own 6Ben D’Aquila punt for 47 yds, downed at the ACU 47
Abilene Christian Touchdown, 1 play
10:161st & 10 at own 47Sam Hicks run for 53 yds for a TD (Ritse Vaes KICK)Abilene Christian 17, Northern Arizona 0
Northern Arizona Punt, 3 plays
10:11Kyler Meschi kickoff for 58 yds , Canyon Moses return for 21 yds to the NAU 28
10:111st & 10 at own 28Ty Pennington run for 5 yds to the NAU 33
10:112nd & 5 at own 33Ty Pennington pass complete to Darvon Hubbard for a loss of 4 yards to the NAU 29
10:113rd & 9 at own 29Ty Pennington sacked by David Oke for a loss of 9 yards to the NAU 20
7:574th & 18 at own 20Ben D’Aquila punt for 54 yds , Nehemiah Martinez I returns for 7 yds to the ACU 33
Abilene Christian Touchdown, 11 plays
7:571st & 10 at own 33Sam Hicks run for 30 yds to the NAU 37 for a 1ST down
7:571st & 10 at opp 37Sam Hicks run for 7 yds to the NAU 30
7:572nd & 3 at opp 30Jordon Vaughn run for 1 yd to the NAU 29
7:573rd & 2 at opp 29Jordon Vaughn run for 7 yds to the NAU 22 for a 1ST down
4:552nd & 7 at opp 19Timeout Abilene Christian, clock 04:55
4:551st & 10 at opp 22Rovaughn Banks Jr. run for 3 yds to the NAU 19
4:463rd & 1 at opp 13Timeout Abilene Christian, clock 04:46
4:462nd & 7 at opp 19Sam Hicks run for 6 yds to the NAU 13
4:411st & goal at opp 10Timeout Abilene Christian, clock 04:41
4:413rd & 1 at opp 13Sam Hicks run for 3 yds to the NAU 10 for a 1ST down
4:411st & goal at opp 10Carson Haggard run for 2 yds to the NAU 8
3:093rd & goal at opp 8Timeout Abilene Christian, clock 03:09
3:092nd & goal at opp 8Sam Hicks run for no gain to the NAU 8
2:224th & goal at opp 6Timeout Abilene Christian, clock 02:22
2:223rd & goal at opp 8Sam Hicks run for 2 yds to the NAU 6
2:164th & goal at opp 6Carson Haggard pass complete to Blayne Taylor for 6 yds for a TD (Ritse Vaes KICK)Abilene Christian 24, Northern Arizona 0
Northern Arizona Turnover on downs, 7 plays
2:16Kyler Meschi kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
2:002nd & 1 at own 34Timeout Abilene Christian, clock 02:00
2:001st & 10 at own 25Ty Pennington pass complete to Bryzai White for 9 yds to the NAU 34
2:002nd & 1 at own 34Ty Pennington pass complete to Ta’ir Brooks for 23 yds to the ACU 43 for a 1ST down
2:001st & 10 at opp 43Ty Pennington pass complete to J’Wan Evans for 16 yds to the ACU 27 for a 1ST down
2:001st & 10 at opp 27Ty Pennington pass incomplete
2:002nd & 10 at opp 27Ty Pennington pass incomplete
2:003rd & 10 at opp 27Ty Pennington run for 9 yds to the ACU 18
0:314th & 1 at opp 18Ty Pennington pass incomplete
Abilene Christian End of game, 1 play
0:001st & 10 at own 18[NHSG] Kneel down by TEAM at ACU17 (team loss of 1), clock 00:00.

Play-by-play from CollegeFootballData.com, as its scorers wrote it. The clock is the time left in the quarter; the spot is from the side of the team with the ball.

Tied 1–⁠1 in two meetings.

Recent meetings
2024Abilene Christian 24, Northern Arizona 0FCS Championship – First Round
2014Northern Arizona 27, Abilene Christian 21

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