KINGSVILLE – The Chennault Cup is coming back to Commerce for a record, ninth-straight time after the Texas A&M University-Commerce football team rolled over rival Texas A&M-Kingsville on Saturday at Javelina Stadium by a score of 35-10.
 
Jaiave Magalei (Tacoma, Wash.) threw three touchdowns and E.J. Thompson (Cy Ranch) ran for one as well as caught one for the Lions as they snapped their two-game losing streak and move to 2-2 on the season. A&M-Commerce is 1-1 in Lone Star Conference and drops A&M-Kingsville to a 2-2 overall record and 1-1 conference record as well.
 
The Lions have won nine-straight meetings between the two teams, which is the longest streak in the series that dates back to 1930.
 
Antonio Leali'ie'e (Copperas Cove) jumpstarted the offense on the second play of the game, breaking away for a 73-yard touchdown rush. It was the longest play from scrimmage for the Lions this year as well as the longest run in his career for Leali'ie'e, who led the team with 94 rushing yards on seven carries.
 
The Lion defense forced a three-and-out on its first drive and the offense capitalized with a one-yard touchdown rush by E.J. Thompson (Cy Ranch). The drive was bolstered by a 22-yard punt return by Dominique Ramsey (Converse – Judson) to Lion 42-yard line.
 
The second drive fared much better for the Texas A&M-Kingsville offense. The Javelinas drove all the way down to the Lions' four-yard line. The Lion defense stopped the Javelinas stopped right there and forced a field-goal attempt at the five-yard line.
 
The kick was blocked by D'Ante Smith (Richardson – Berkner) and recovered by Cedrick Wilcox III (Port St. Lucie, Fla.) to the 20-yard line. Wilcox III and Daryion Taylor (Humble – Atascotica) led the Lions with seven tackles each. Ben Hutch (Old Hickory, Tenn.) had a sack as well.
 
The offense once again rewarded the defense for its goal line stand with another touchdown. Magalei connected on a 32-yard touchdown pass to Chance Cooper (Leander – Rouse). Cooper led all Lions receivers with 83 yards on seven catches.
 
The Javelinas scored their first points of the night with 3:45 left in the second quarter. Gilbert Garza kicked a 22-yard field goal after the A&M-Commerce defense made another goal line stand.
 
In the final drive of the first half, the Lions worked their way into opposition territory. As time expired, a 50-yard field goal attempt by Jake Viquez (Rockwall) sailed wide right.
 
The Lions outgained the Javelinas, 227-125 in the first half, including 125-74 on the ground. The Javelinas came in to the game averaging 184.3 rushing yards per game, they were held to 128 on Saturday.
 
A&M-Commerce offense had four drives in the first half. Three drives ended with touchdowns and the other one was the missed field goal by Viquez.
 
In the first drive of the second half, the Javelinas drove down to the Lions 27, but missed another field goal attempt. In the game they went 1 for 3 in the game.
 
Another Lions drive ended with seven points, this one was the first drive of the second half. Magalei threw a screen pass to Thompson, who ran it in for a 28-yard catch.
 
Magalei, the transfer from Louisiana, had his best statistical game of his Lion career thus far. He want 18 for 20, throwing for 166 yards and three touchdowns. On the other end, the Javelinas went with a two quarterback system. Zadock Dinklemann went 8 for 12 for 91 yards and Shane Johnson completed four of his nine passes for 51 yards.
 
Christian Anderson ran in a four-yard touchdown at the 1:19 mark in the third quarter, the first for Texas A&M-Kingville on the night. Anderson was the Javelina's leading rusher, gaining 66 yards on 15 carries.
 
Magalei threw for his third touchdown of the game to Kenedy Snell (Waxahachie) for seven yards to make it 35-10.
 
UP NEXT
The Lions open up a three-game homestand. A&M-Commerce hosts Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, October 2 at 6 p.m., Saginaw Valley State on October 9 at 4 p.m., and Eastern New Mexico on October 16 at 4 p.m.
 
For latest information on the A&M-Commerce athletic department, stay tuned to LionAthletics.Com.