EAST TEXAS STATE opened its 1952 football season by downing Abilene Christian College 21-0 in Abilene. The Lions chalked up touchdowns the first two times they got the ball, while ACC was never able to get anything rolling against the rugged ET defense. It was the first time ACC had been whitewashed since 1949. Anchored by Bruno Ashley at tackle, ET held the Wildcat ground machine to 35 yards in 35 tries. In the air ACC completed only five passes for 38 yards while four tosses were intercepted. On the other hand the Lions gained 221 yards rushing and 88 passing. ET racked up its first score when Center Bryant Clark recovered a Wildcat fumble on the 41-yard stripe. A few plays later Marvin Brown skirted right end for the counter. Three plays after Ashley's kickoff, ACC again fumbled, this time on the 3 3-yard line. Behind the passing of James Gray and the running of Lloyd Corder, the Lions covered the distance in 8 plays, the payoff coming on a Gray to McCormack pass for five yards. Remainder of the game was largely defensive with the Lions dominating play. ET's final score came when Lucky Parks dashed 13 yards to score and Corder converted. ACC had lost to East Texas for the first time since 1941.