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.
