The 2012-13 A&M-Commerce athletic season was filled with a handful of incredible moments, achievements and career milestones. To close out the athletic season, LionAthletics.com is looking back at the top-15 moments of the year, voted on by athletic administrators, media members, head coaches and Lion fans. The moments will be revealed on Tuesdays and Fridays, leading into the start of the 2013-14 A&M-Commerce athletic season.
COMMERCE, Texas – Each football Saturday in the fall has a special feel to it, but the ones that include a game against your rival adjusts the tension and excitement just a little bit further.
The history between A&M-Commerce and Texas A&M-Kingsville dates back to 1930, and the two schools have met on the gridiron each year since 1954, the longest active rivalry in Lion program history. Even back to when it was East Texas State lining up against Texas A&I, the tradition of the two schools have defined the Lone Star Conference as the Lions and Javelinas have combined for 55 conference championships and eight national titles.
To add to the rivalry, the Chennault Cup was instituted in 1992, as the winning team would not only have bragging rights for an entire year, but also a physical reminder of their victory.
Box Score • Recap
Heading into their game against the Javelinas on September 29, it had been a while since the Chennault Cup had rested in Commerce. In fact, not a single player on the squad had even touched the trophy as the Lions' last victory over their South Texas rivals came in 2001.
Playing in a constant rain storm on the turf at Memorial Stadium, points were hard to come by in the first half. Both teams had their chances, but turnovers and missed opportunities were the story of the game until Deric Davis connected with wide receiver Tevin Godfrey for a 16-yard pass with 37 seconds left in the second quarter, giving the Lions a 7-0 lead at intermission.
• Tevin Godfrey and Deric Davis Reflect Back on the Victory (VIDEO)
Still holding the lead in the third quarter, the A&M-Commerce offense was looking to extend that lead, taking over at their own 20-yard line. But a snap went over Davis' head and into the endzone, where it was recovered by A&M-Kingsville to tie the game at 7-7 after three.
Early in the fourth, the Javelinas took their first lead of the game, connecting on a 29-yard touchdown pass to take the lead 14-7. While the Lion offense was unable to generate any points, the A&M-Commerce defense did what it had to do – keeping the Javelinas out of the endzone and giving the Lions a chance at the end.
A&M-Commerce would have its chance, getting the ball back at its own 28 yard line with just under four minutes to play. Behind Davis, the Lions would drive the length of the field, converting on both a third and three and a fourth and six to keep the drive alive, before a 26-yard pass to Garrett Smith gave the Lions first and goal at the one-yard-line with 25 seconds remaining.
The Lions tried three-straight passes, one to Smith and two to Garrett, but all three fell incomplete, setting up a fourth and goal at the one. With Davis in the shotgun, he began to scramble to his left, but reading a broken play, he cut back to his right and dove into the endzone, sending the rivalry game into overtime.
A&M-Commerce got the ball first in the overtime period and nearly had disaster strike as on first and goal from the seven, Davis and Godfrey mistimed a pitch and watched the ball bounce to the turf. Godfrey was able to smother the ball just before the onslaught of Javelina defenders, giving the Lions a second and goal at the 16.
On the next play, Davis was looking downfield and found nobody open, but glancing to his right he spotted a wide open Jamar Mosley, who hauled in the pass at the seven and scampered into the endzone to give the Lions the 21-14 lead.
Now it was time for the A&M-Commerce defense to carry the team home to victory. On first down, Jake Williams and Danny Mason teamed up to record a sack on A&M-Kingsville quarterback Bryan Ehrlich, pinning the Javelinas back to the 33-yard line. A pair of rushes set up fourth and eight for A&M-Kingsville at the 23, and on the final play of the game, the Javelinas pass was incomplete inside the 10, sealing the victory for the Lions.
Davis had one of his best games of the season for A&M-Commerce, passing for 214 yards and a pair of touchdowns despite the constant downpour throughout the game. Smith pulled in seven catches for 74 yards while Godfrey added three receptions for 44 yards. Mosley also came up big, rushing for 45 yards on 14 carries while also pulling in three catches for 39 yards, including the game-winning touchdown.
Following the game, the Chennault Cup made its way into the Lions locker room, where even A&M-Commerce President Dr. Dan Jones helped celebrate the victory. For each of the players, it was an incredible feeling – one that they vow they will remember during the 2013 season and hope to feel many more times.
2013 A&M-Commerce Top-15 Moments Countdown
Moment #1 - Friday, August 2
Moment #2 - Tuesday, July 30
Moment #3 - Friday, July 26
Moment #4 - Tuesday, July 23
Moment #5 - Friday, July 19
Moment #6 - Tuesday, July 16
Moment #7 - Friday, July 12
Moment #8 - Tuesday, July 9
Moment #9 - Friday, July 5
Moment #10 - Tuesday, July 2
Moment #11 - Friday, June 28
Moment #12 - Tuesday, June 25
Moment #13 - Friday, June 21
Moment #14 - Football captures Chennault Cup with 21-14 overtime victory over A&M-Kingsville
Moment #15 - Volleyball outlasts Abilene Christian for its first win in Abilene since 1995
