For the first time since 2001, the Texas A&M University-Commerce Lions defeated Lone Star Conference rival Texas A&M-Kingsville, 24-7, on Saturday night.
The Lions (1-2) controlled the game throughout and were led by quarterback Trent Miller, who got the start for injured Terry Mayo, and the Lions defense that forced five turnovers in their first victory of the season.
“The first conference game was really important to us,” said Lions head coach Scotty Conley. “It was good to get us on track. For our players to come out and play the way they played tonight and get a win at home, we canÃt change what happened last week (29-27 loss to Ouachita Baptist), but we can move forward with what we did tonight.”
A&M-Commerce grabbed the lead early when Miller found wide receiver JaMichael Palmer on a 52-yard touchdown strike to take the 7-0 advantage. The scoring drive totaled 80 yards on 7 plays.
The Lions extended the lead late in the second quarter when Miller and Palmer connected for the second time on a 15-yard touchdown pass as Palmer toed the back of the end zone to give A&M-Commerce the 14-0 advantage heading into the half.
Defensive end Garnet Smith set-up the touchdown for the Lions as he recovered a Javelina fumble.
A&M-Commerce added a field goal in the third quarter as kicker Chris Quiroga nailed a 27-yarder to give the Lions the 17-0 lead.
Kingsville (0-2) ended the Lions shutout hopes with 50 seconds remaining in the third quarter as Javelina running back Billy Martin powered in a touchdown from three yards out to cut the Lions lead to 17-7.
Lions defensive lineman Marcus Smith ended another Javelina scoring threat when he pounced on another fumble by backup quarterback Kolten Thigpen.
The offense capitalized on the Kingsville turnover as Miller threw his third touchdown of the game to wide receiver Meldrick Grice on a 14-yard touchdown pass as Grice was able to get one foot in to count the final score of the game.
Miller led the Lions offense completing 17-of-31 passes for 225 yards and three touchdowns.
“I was just coming in doing my role,” said Miller. “The starter goes down, I just do whatever I can to help the team and we were successful tonight.”
The three touchdowns by Miller was the first time an A&M-Commerce quarterback has thrown for three scores since Sept. 18, 2004 against Northeastern State.
For his efforts, Miller earned Co-Lone Star Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors.
He is the second A&M-Commerce player to earn the weekly award this season as Mayo grabbed the honor after his week one debut with the team.
Palmer grabbed four receptions for 93 yards and two scores, while Grice had three catches for 33 yards and one touchdown to lead the Lion receivers.
“Those guys (receivers) really stepped up tonight,” said Miller.
The Lions defense played a complete game throughout forcing four fumbles, one interception, four sacks and holding the Javelina offense to only 129 yards of total offense.
Defensive lineman Luis Lujan anchored the defense with 10 tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and two sacks.
Other contributors on the defense were Marcus Smith, who recorded seven tackles and one fumble recovery and Elliot Jones added six tackles and one interception.
“(Defensive coordinator) Coach Gibbs and the staff decided that we need to be more aggressive and that was the difference,” said Conley.
Redshirt freshman David Garza earned his first collegiate start for the Javelinas going 7-of-16 passing for 39 yards before being replaced by Thigpen.
Martin led Kingsville on the ground rushing for 54 yards and one touchdown on 10 carries.
A&M-Commerce travels to Canyon on Saturday to face another Lone Star Conference opponent West Texas A&M (2-0).