A seven-yard touchdown run by Paden Lynch with 7:22 left in the game tied the game and it was the extra-point attempt by Thomas Rebold that led host Incarnate Word to a 17-16 win over Texas A&M University-Commerce on Saturday afternoon in the season finale at Tom and Gayle Benson Stadium.
The Cardinals marched down the field on a 19 play, 77-yard drive. On the drive, the Cardinals converted a crucial 4th and 1 and a 3rd and 5 to continue the drive. The 3rd and 5 took the ball down to the A&M-Commerce one and three plays later, UIW tied it when Lynch broke through for the touchdown.
With the win, Incarnate Word raises its record to 3-8 and the Lions end the season with an identical mark of 3-8.
A&M-Commerce sophomore London Hamilton ran the ball a season-best 27 times for a career-best 103 yards and a touchdown. Freshman safety Cortney Craig had 11 tackles to lead the Lions. Incarnate Word running back Trent Rios ran the ball 37 times for 207 yards and a touchdown.
Rebold put the Cardinals in front by a 10-6 margin early in the third quarter. A&M-Commerce answered with a seven play, 27-yard drive. On the drive, Hamilton ran the ball three times for 19 yards but it was a career-best 48-yard field goal by sophomore kicker Ahmed Abo-Mahmood (pictured) that energized the Lions. The Sherman, Texas native made all three of his field goals in the game.
Next, the Lions took their first lead of the game when Hamilton broke through on a five-yard touchdown run for a 16-10 lead. On the drive, senior quarterback Adam Farkes found Kenzee Jackson for a 20-yard completion. Next, Farkes scrambled 14 yards and took the ball down to the UIW 22. Then, the Lions called on Hamilton, who three plays later gave A&M-Commerce its only lead of the game.
The Cardinals answered the Lions score with the go-ahead and eventual game-winning touchdown. Next, UIW forced A&M-Commerce to punt and the Cardinals melted the clock with a game-ending 10 play, 66-yard drive to secure the victory.
