COMMERCE - The No. 6 Texas A&M University-Commerce Lions return home after two weeks away, hosting the Javelinas of Texas A&M-Kingsville for the 24th Chennault Cup game between the two schools.
WHO: Texas A&M University-Kingsville at Texas A&M University-Commerce
WHERE: Commerce | Memorial Stadium
WHEN: 7 p.m. on Saturday, September 24
RECORDS: Texas A&M-Commerce is 3-0 overall and 1-0 in the Lone Star Conference after a 49-10 win at Eastern New Mexico. Texas A&M-Kingsville is 2-1 overall and 0-1 in the LSC after a 32-30 loss to Midwestern State.
RANKINGS: Texas A&M-Commerce is ranked No. 6 in the AFCA Coaches' Poll and No. 10 in the D2Football.com Media Poll. Texas A&M-Kingsville is receiving votes in the AFCA Poll.
LIVE AUDIO: Lion Sports Network -- KETR 88.9 FM, Commerce (
http://www.ketr.org), Thunder Country KRVA 101.7 FM, Sulphur Springs (
http://www.mythundercountry.com/)
LIVE VIDEO: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/tamucommerce/
LIVE STATS: http://statb.us/b/139980
TICKETS: Tickets are still available for the key LSC matchup by calling (903) 468-8756 or visiting
http://www.WeAreLionsTix.com.
WEEK 3 AFCA RANKING IMPROVES PROGRAM'S BEST
• The Lions are ranked sixth in the nation in Division II according to the American Football Coaches Association Coaches Poll this week.
• The ranking marks the best ranking for A&M-Commerce since the AFCA Division II Poll began in 2000.
• A&M-Commerce passed Ferris State in this week's ranking to reach the new program high. The Lions earned 566 points in this week's poll, while Ferris State earned 550. That switch was the only change in the top nine spots in the poll.
• A&M-Commerce has now been ranked in 17 straight polls, going back to the 2015 preseason poll.
• This is A&M-Commerce's 23rd all-time appearance in the AFCA Top 25.
PEREZ CONTINUES TO IMPRESS
•Texas A&M-Commerce quarterback
Luis Perez has been fantastic in his introduction to the Lion lineup.
• Perez completed 24-of-31 passes for 342 yards with 5 touchdowns and no interceptions, leading the Lions to touchdowns on 6 of 7 drives at ENMU.
• Perez is featured prominently in the NCAA Division II and Lone Star Conference statistical rankings
| Stat |
LSC |
D2 |
Stat |
| Completion Pct |
1 |
2 |
75.9 |
| Completion/Gm |
2 |
38 |
20.5 |
| Pass Efficiency |
1 |
3 |
222.0 |
| Pass TDs |
2 |
28 |
7 |
| Pass Yds |
3 |
59 |
664 |
| Pass Yds/Gm |
1 |
8 |
332.0 |
| Pass Yds/Att |
1 |
2 |
12.3 |
| Pass Yds/Cmp |
1 |
12 |
16.2 |
| Pts Responsible |
3 |
46 |
42 |
| Pts Resp/Gm |
1 |
10 |
22.0 |
| Total Offense |
1 |
16 |
337.5 |
MARTINEZ NEARLY AUTOMATIC
• Sophomore kicker
Kristov Martinez has not missed an extra point this season.
• He made 4 PATs against Delta State, followed by 7 PATs at Eastern New Mexico.
• Added with a pair of field goals from 35 and 38 yards, he earned Lone Star Conference Special Teams Player of the Week honors for Week 2.
HOLDING ON TO THE ROCK
• A&M-Commerce is the only team in Division II who has not turned the ball over yet this season.
• 10 teams have yielded possession to their opposition only once.
MY BALL! LIONS LEAD IN TURNOVER MARGIN
• A&M-Commerce intercepted three passes in both of the wins at Delta State and Eastern New Mexico and lead the league in turnover margin at +3.00 turnovers per game.
• The Lions did not turn the ball over in either game, contributing to the positive margin.
• A&M-Commerce is now tied for the national lead in turnover margin.
| Rk |
Team |
G |
W-L |
FR-INT |
Plus |
FL-INT |
Minus |
Mgn |
Avg |
| 1 |
A&M-Commerce |
2 |
2-0 |
0-6 |
6 |
0-0 |
0 |
6 |
3.00 |
|
Limestone |
3 |
2-1 |
9-6 |
15 |
3-3 |
6 |
9 |
3.00 |
|
Azusa Pacific |
3 |
3-0 |
2-8 |
10 |
1-0 |
1 |
9 |
3.00 |
|
California (PA) |
2 |
2-0 |
3-4 |
7 |
1-0 |
1 |
6 |
3.00 |
| 5 |
Southeastern Okla. |
3 |
2-1 |
6-5 |
11 |
0-3 |
3 |
8 |
2.67 |
| 6 |
Indiana (PA) |
2 |
2-0 |
2-4 |
6 |
0-1 |
1 |
5 |
2.50 |
| 7 |
Black Hills St. |
3 |
3-0 |
3-8 |
11 |
2-2 |
4 |
7 |
2.33 |
|
Glenville St. |
3 |
3-0 |
3-8 |
11 |
1-3 |
4 |
7 |
2.33 |
| 9 |
Emporia St. |
3 |
2-1 |
3-5 |
8 |
1-1 |
2 |
6 |
2.00 |
|
McKendree |
3 |
2-1 |
5-6 |
11 |
3-2 |
5 |
6 |
2.00 |
|
North Ala. |
2 |
1-1 |
3-2 |
5 |
0-1 |
1 |
4 |
2.00 |
EVANS TOPPING THE CHARTS
• A&M-Commerce wide receiver
Lance Evans is the Lone Star Conference's leading receiver in terms of yards per game.
• The senior is the only LSC player averaging over 100 yards receiving per contest at 100.5 yards per game. This ranks him 31st nationally in that category.
•
D'Arthur Cowan ranks fourth in the league at 83.0 yards per game.
• The duo is tied for third in the league at 5.5 receptions per game.
HOOKS ON THE RUN
•
Shawn Hooks is the top punt returner in the Lone Star Conference following two games of action.
• The Daingerfield native is averaging 17.3 yards per punt return.
• He has three returns for 52 total yards.
• Hooks ranks 12th nationally and second in Super Region IV in this category.
COOPER RUNS UP THE RECORD BOOK
• A&M-Commerce All-American running back
Richard Cooper is just the fifth Lion running back to come back for the season following a 1,000-yard season.
• Three Lions repeated their 1,000-yard season with another such milestone year.
| ARTHUR JAMES |
| 1968 |
Jr. |
1,538 yards |
| 1969 |
Sr. |
1,334 yards |
| AUNDRA THOMPSON |
| 1974 |
Jr. |
1,086 yards |
| 1975 |
Sr. |
1,796 yards |
| RICKY DIRKS |
| 1982 |
So.. |
1,070 yards |
| 1983 |
Jr. |
1,299 yards |
| 1984 |
Sr. |
370 yards |
| CLIFF EDWARDS |
| 2005 |
Jr. |
1,041 yards |
| 2006 |
Sr. |
945 yards |
| RICHARD COOPER |
| 2015 |
Jr. |
1,380 yards |
| 2016 |
Sr. |
151 yards (8 gms remaining) |
• Cooper also continues his march upwards in the all-time A&M-Commerce rushing record books.
| Rk |
Yards |
Player |
Years |
| 1. |
4,285 |
Arthur James |
1966-69 |
| 2 |
3,757 |
Aundra Thompson |
1972-75 |
| 3. |
3,268 |
Cary Noiel |
1978-81 |
| 4. |
3,191 |
Ricky Dirks |
1982-84 |
| 5. |
2,321 |
Richard Cooper |
2013-pres. |
THE CHENNAULT CUP
• The two teams play for the Chennault Cup, which was implemented in 1991 and recognizes the late Lt. General Claire Chennault.
• Chennault was a Commerce native who was a member of the famous "Flying Tigers" fighter squadron during the 1930s and was the commander of the 14th Air Force during World War II. He spent time training and teaching at the Naval Air Station Kingsville during his distinguished military career.
• The original series was between West Alabama and A&M-Commerce, but shifted to Kingsville in 1992.
• The Javelinas hold a 16-7 advantage in Chennault Cup games
despite the Lions holding it for the past four seasons.
| 09/01/1990 |
WEST ALABAMA |
W |
45-6 |
| 09/07/1991 |
at West Alabama |
W |
44-6 |
| 10/10/1992 |
A&M-KINGSVILLE |
L |
10-17 |
| 10/09/1993 |
at A&M-Kingsville |
L |
3-28 |
| 10/08/1994 |
A&M-KINGSVILLE |
L |
0-31 |
| 10/07/1995 |
at A&M-Kingsville |
L |
18-37 |
| 10/12/1996 |
A&M-KINGSVILLE |
L |
28-35 |
| 10/11/1997 |
at A&M-Kingsville |
L |
6-34 |
| 10/10/1998 |
A&M-KINGSVILLE |
L |
18-42 |
| 10/09/1999 |
at A&M-Kingsville |
W |
14-10 |
| 10/07/2000 |
A&M-KINGSVILLE |
L |
0-7 |
| 10/06/2001 |
at A&M-Kingsville |
W |
30-24 |
| 10/12/2002 |
A&M-KINGSVILLE |
L |
15-37 |
| 10/11/2003 |
at A&M-Kingsville |
L |
7-31 |
| 10/02/2004 |
A&M-KINGSVILLE |
L |
13-31 |
| 09/09/2006 |
A&M-KINGSVILLE |
L |
17-20 |
| 09/08/2007 |
A&M-KINGSVILLE |
W |
24-7 |
| 10/11/2008 |
at A&M-Kingsville |
L |
0-35 |
| 10/10/2009 |
A&M-KINGSVILLE |
L |
34-35 |
| 09/18/2010 |
at A&M-Kingsville |
L |
0-21 |
| 10/01/2011 |
at A&M-Kingsville |
L |
21-39 |
| 09/29/2012 |
A&M-KINGSVILLE |
W |
21-14 |
| 10/12/2013 |
at A&M-Kingsville |
W |
41-28 |
| 09/20/2014 |
vs A&M-Kingsville (AT&T) |
W |
55-20 |
| 09/19/2015 |
at A&M-Kingsville |
W |
37-17 |
| 09/24/2016 |
A&M-KINGSVILLE |
- |
- |
ALL-TIME AGAINST THE JAVELINAS
• The Lions and Javelinas are meeting for the 63rd time in a series that dates back to 1930.
• The Greyhounds have a 35-26-1 lead in the series.
• A Lion win would be the fifth straight in the series for A&M-Commerce,
• The Lions have never reeled off five wins over the Hogs.
• A&M-Kingsville had the longest winning streak in the series, winning seven straight matchups from 1992-99.
• Of the Lions' current four-game streak, only one meeting took place in the friendly confines of Memorial Stadium. The first win in the streak in 2012 was in Commerce, with the 2013 and 2015 wins in Kingsville. The 2014 victory was part of the Lone Star Conference Football Festival at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
• The Lion Athletic Hall of Fame adds four new individuals and a team on Saturday morning. The following stars will also be honored at halftime.
•
Terry Bagsby – Football
In two seasons with the Lions, Bagsby was one of the most feared players at the linebacker position, making 187 tackles and 27 sacks. In his junior season of 1989, he was named first team all-Lone Star Conference and second team All-America by Don Hansen's Football Gazette. In 1990, he was once again named first team all-Lone Star Conference and earned first team All-America honors from the Associated Press, Eastman Kodak and Don Hansen's Football Gazette as the Lions made the NCAA Division II Playoffs. He was also named the Lone Star Conference's outstanding lineman of the year and was a two-time team MVP. He was drafted in the fifth round of the NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1991.
•
Cole Cayce - Football
Cayce played quarterback for the Lions from 1992-96 and was a four-year letterman, three-year team captain, two-time Lone Star Conference Offensive Player of the Week award winner, Ernest Hawkins most valuable back award winner and first team all-conference selection. At the time of his graduation, Cayce held six school passing records and ranked seventh in school history in passing yardage and total offense. He went on to play for the Texas Terror of the Arena Football League before returning to A&M-Commerce as a graduate assistant quarterbacks coach from 1997-2000.
• Sidney Garton - Track
Sid "The Jet" Garton was dubbed the fastest human alive as one of the world's foremost sprinters in his time at East Texas State University. The New Boston native ran a 9.3 second 100-yard dash and a world-record wind-aided 19.3 second 220-yard dash for the Lions in 1959… On the same day! Garton and the Lions were noted for exemplary performances at the Kansas, Drake and Penn Relays He was honored as the collegiate freshman of the year and was the Dallas Morning News' collegiate freshman of the state. During Garton's time with the Lions, they won back-to-back Lone Star Conference Championships and were NAIA National runners-up both seasons. He was the LSC champion in the 110-yard and 220-yard dashes in 1959 and won the NAIA Championship in the 220-yard dash and the 880-yard relay. His contributions to amateur athletics continued as a key fundraiser for the Centennial Olympic Park and alternate torch bearer for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.
•
Fred Woods - Football
Woods won six All-American honors in his two years playing at East Texas State in 1992 and 1993. The hard hitter was a first team all-Lone Star Conference player and was named a first team All-American by Don Hansen's Football Gazette in his junior season of 1992 after leading the conference with 14 sacks and making 88 total tackles. In Woods' senior season he was named a first team All-American by the Associated Press, Don Hansen's Football Gazette, Eastman Kodak and C.M. Frank and was named a second team All-American by the Division II sports information directors. He led the Lone Star Conference, making 115 tackles in the regular season for the Lions and was selected to play in the inaugural Snow Bowl Division II All-Star game where he was selected as the team captain for the West team.
•
1995-96 Men's Basketball Team
Led by four players who averaged in double digit scoring, the 1995-96 East Texas State men's basketball team won the Lone Star Conference regular season championship with a league record of 11-3 and made its first appearance in the NCAA Division II Tournament with a final record of 20-8. 2014 Hall of Fame inductee and Jason Hall averaged 21.1 points per game as the Lions won eight consecutive games in the middle of the season. Hall was named a co-MVP of the Lone Star Conference and earned first team all-conference honors that year, setting a school record with 80 steals. Charles Ward averaged a double-double with 11.5 points and 10 rebounds per game. Gregg Ward scored 14.1 points per game and Tim Cleveland averaged 11.5 points per game. The Lions clinched the conference championship at home with a 75-63 win over Tarleton State. They were eventually tripped up in the NCAA Tournament with an overtime loss to Central Missouri.
