Lions Remain Undefeated in LSC North With 31-28 Win Over East Central
Texas A&M University-Commerce scored 17-straight second half points in a 31-28 come-from-behind win over host East Central in a Lone Star Conference North Division game in Ada, Oklahoma.
A&M-Commerce (3-5, 3-0 LSC) found itself behind 28-14 early in the third quarter when the Tigers scored twice in the final three minutes of the opening half and on its second possession of the third quarter.
Making his first appearance in four games, senior Alex Contreras led the Lions defense with 10 tackles. Also making 10 stops was junior Cory Whitfield. Quarterback Adam Farkes completed 19 of 35 passes for two touchdowns and ran for another in the win.
East Central (0-8, 0-2 LSC N) was victimized by two fumbles and held to 252 yards of total offense.
Finding themselves behind 28-14 early in the third quarter, Contreras forced and recovered a fumble. Following-back-to-back completions by Farkes, the Lions went to the ground and Marcus Graham. The Round Rock, Texas native broke off a run of 11 yards and followed that up with a 16-yard run into the end zone to cut the ECU lead to seven, 28-21.
On the ensuing possession, the Lions defense came up with its second-straight turnover as Anthony DeGrate forced a fumble and Michael Cleveland recovered it. Immediately, A&M-Commerce took advantage when Farkes connected with Adam Jones, who made a spectacular one-hand catch in the back of the end zone to tie the game at 28.
After both teams exchanged punts as the contest entered the fourth quarter, the Lions took advantage of a short field to move down the field for the eventual game-winning field goal. In the drive, Farkes completed a pair of key passes to Jones for 16 yards and Reid Herchenbach for 20 yards. The Lions were able to come away with a field goal by Ahmed Abo-Mahmood from 38 yards out that proved to be the difference in the game.
A&M-Commerce took the opening kickoff and marched six plays and 58 yards, culminating with a 25-yard touchdown pass from Farkes to Herchenbach. During the drive, the Lions took advantage of three offside calls on the ECU defense and a crucial third down conversion with Farkes finding Blake Patton for a 15-yard reception.
The Tigers scored on its first two possessions. ECU began the game with a 26-yard field goal to cut the A&M-Commerce. On their next possession, they took advantage of an A&M-Commerce errant snap with a 38-yard field goal after a seven play, 18-yard drive to trim the Lions’ lead to 7-6.
After missing a 32-yard field goal, the Lions got back on the board on a one-yard plunge on fourth down by Farkes. To set up the touchdown, Marcus Graham ran 44 yards to set up first and goal. Prior to that, A&M-Commerce took advantage of a roughing the passer call on a 3rd and 22.
The Lions will
be idle next weekend before closing out the season with contests
against Southeastern Oklahoma and Southwestern Oklahoma.
