COMMERCE – Scoring 31 of the final 38 points on Saturday night, the East Texas A&M University football team rolled past Northwestern State, 38-14, in its home opener on Ernest Hawkins Field at Memorial Stadium.
The win is the first for the Lions this season, who are 1-2 overall and 1-1 against Southland Conference opponents as well as their straight win over the Demons, who fall to 0-3 on the season.
The Lions picked up a win over a conference opponent in their home opener for the first time since 2018 and won their home opener for the first time since 2022.
Despite running just nine more plays than their opponent, the Lions outgained the Demons, 419-189 and defensively, East Texas A&M did not allow a point in the second half for the second time in three games this season.
The first points of the game were scored by the Demons' Geoffrey Ojeh on a 37-yard fumble recovery. The Lions answered on their next drive with a 50-yard touchdown run by
Micah Simpson (Greenville).
Ozlo Rigby (Panama City, Fla.) added a 42-yard field goal in the second quarter, the first field goal attempted by the Lions this season.
Major McBride (Pottsboro) gave the Lions a 17-7 advantage on a one-yard touchdown rush, but the Demons scored just 20 seconds later on a 60-yard touchdown reception by Zay Davis from Abram Johnston.
McBride added his second touchdown of the second quarter on a seven-yard run with 3:12 left. Simpson also scored his touchdown of the game and third of the season on a 42-yard reception from
Jack Jacobs (Santa Clarita, Calif.), who made his first collegiate start as a Lion.
The Lions added another rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter with
Jordon Hamilton (Frisco) breaking away for a 23-yard touchdown run. East Texas A&M rushed for 254 yards, while holding the Demons to just 84.
Jacobs went 14 for 22 under center, throwing for 165 yards and one touchdown.
Luke Glass (Prestonwood Christian Academy) came on in the fourth quarter to make his collegiate debut. He threw just one pass, that was picked off by the Demons.
On the ground,
EJ Oakmon (Pflugerville) rushed for 78 yards on 18 carries, while Hamilton had 61 yards on eight attempts. Simpson totaled four receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown.
Tanner Harrison (St. Martinville, La.) caught three catches for 37 yards.
Tramar Gilbert (Peaster) stuffed the box score with nine tackles, including 2.5 for loss, and a sack.
David Spruiells (South Oak Cliff) had five tackles, one forced fumble, and a pass breakup, while Wesley York Jr. (Austin – Bowie) recorded an interception.
POST GAME INTERVIEW
UP NEXT
The Lions play their next two on the road, heading to Tulsa next Saturday at 7 p.m.
-ETAMU-
