COMMERCE – Texas A&M University-Commerce has announced the three-time defending Lone Star Conference Champion Lions' 2017 football schedule and initial ticket information for the Lions' five home games.  The slate features 10 regular season contests, evenly split between five home games and five road games.
 
The season starts on the road with current NCAA Division II Championship finalist North Alabama on Thursday, August 31, in Florence, Ala. This game should be one of the most highly anticipated matchups in the nation to start the season, as A&M-Commerce advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division II Playoffs in 2016. This will be the first-ever meeting between the two schools.
 
The home opener will take place on Saturday, September 9, when the Lions welcome William Jewell College to Memorial Stadium for a 6 p.m. kickoff. The Cardinals are members of the Great Lakes Valley Conference and will meet A&M-Commerce for the first time.
 
"We're excited about the 2017 season and the chance to compete for a fourth straight LSC Championship," said A&M-Commerce Head Football Coach Colby Carthel. "The season opener will obviously be circled on a lot of people's calendar as we lock horns with one of the titans of Division II in North Alabama. But in order to be considered one of the nation's elite programs, you must go out and compete against the very best, and I think it's clear we're doing just that."
 
The Lone Star Conference opener will take place on September 16, when Eastern New Mexico comes to Commerce for 6 p.m. start. This will be the 31st all-time meeting between the schools with the series evenly split at 15 wins apiece. The Lions have won the last three meetings between the schools.
 
Current season ticket holders and any new season ticket buyers who place a $25 per seat deposit prior to January 20, 2017, will be registered to win in the "Lion Football Ticket Blitz" leading up to National Signing Day on February 1.  Each day leading up to signing day (Jan. 20 – Feb. 1), Lion Athletics will announce prize winners from those who have secured their 2017 seats.   On February 2, season tickets will go on sale to the general public, along with individual game ticket prices and on-sale dates. 
 
"To be certain, 2016 created several magic moments at Memorial Stadium," A&M-Commerce Director of Athletics Tim McMurray noted. "We believe that 2017 can be even better for our program, our institution, our alumni base, and the entire Northeast Texas region.  Season tickets are an outstanding entertainment value, and we look forward to improving the Lion Game Day Fan Experience for our fans and students."
 
A&M-Commerce will look to win its sixth consecutive Chennault Cup on September 23 with a visit to Texas A&M-Kingsville. This will be the 64th all-time meeting between the teams, with the Javelinas holding a 35-27-1 lead in the series.
 
After an open week, the Lions head to Wichita Falls for a matchup with Midwestern State on October 7.  This will mark the 23rd all-time meeting, wit the Lions holding a 12-10 edge in the series.
 
Homecoming 2017 for the Lions is October 14 with a 4 p.m. kickoff against Western New Mexico. The schools met for the first time in 2016 with the Lions earning a 38-24 victory.
 
Angelo State visits Memorial Stadium on October 21.  The Lions have won the last three games against the Rams and the teams will meet for the 49th time. ASU holds a 27-19-2 lead in the series.
 
On October 28, the Lions venture to Canyon for the 33rd all-time meeting against West Texas A&M.  A&M-Commerce has won the last three games in the series including a 36-0 shutout in the 2016 season. The Lions lead the series 17-15.
 
The home portion of the schedule concludes on November 4 with UT Permian Basin. The Lions rolled to a 58-21 victory over the Falcons in the first meeting between the schools in 2016.
 
The regular season wraps up on November 11 in Stephenville, as the Lions aim for their sixth consecutive win over Tarleton State. The Lions closed out their 2016 LSC Championship run with a 30-10 win over the Texans. A&M-Commerce holds a 14-11 lead in the all-time series.
 
2017 LION FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
 

Aug. 31	at North Alabama	TBA
Sept. 9	WILLIAM JEWELL	6 p.m.
Sept. 16	EASTERN NEW MEXICO * (Hall of Fame Weekend)	6 p.m.
Sept. 23	at Texas A&M-Kingsville *	TBA
Sept. 30	Open
Oct. 7	at Midwestern State *	TBA
Oct. 14	WESTERN NEW MEXICO * (Homecoming)	4 p.m.
Oct. 21	ANGELO STATE *	4 p.m.
Oct. 28	at West Texas A&M *	TBA
Nov. 4	UT PERMIAN BASIN *	4 p.m.
Nov. 11	at Tarleton State *	TBA