The Texas A&M University-Commerce Lions showed their dominance over Eastern New Mexico with a 38-14 win this past Saturday.
The win wasn’t the only impressive thing the Lions did. They broke three school records and tied another. Wide receiver Willie Thornton clawed through the Greyhounds’ defense with 266 receiving yards, demolishing a 12-year record held by James Epps. He also tied Epps record with four touchdown catches.
The Lions’ special teams and defense added their own history as well. They recorded two safeties in the same game, which is a first in the University’s history.
Senior quarterback Terry Mayo created his own personal history with a career night. He pulled off his best Donavan McNabb impersonation with 360 passing yards and five passing touchdowns. Mayo was one touchdown pass shy from tying the school record set by James Gray in 1952.
The Lions’ offense gained 545 yards of total offense, which is the most since 2001.
The offense wasn’t the only thing creating havoc for the Greyhounds; the Lions’ defense controlled the Greyhounds’ spread offense, allowing 211 yards of total offense with seven rushing yards. They added three interceptions and didn’t allow a score until the fourth quarter.
The Greyhounds started their first drive deep in their own territory, but they didn’t keep the football for long.
On their second pass, Cory Baker attempted a wide receiver screen. The Lions’ cornerback Cory Whitefield looked more like Antonio Cromartie when he jumped the route and made an athletic interception. Mayo and the offense quickly took advantage of the situation with a 15-yard touchdown strike to Thornton for a 6-0 lead.
Mayo and Thornton connected on another touchdown pass with 5:17 left in the first quarter. This time, it was a 47-yard touchdown pass.
The Lions’ special team blocked a punt recovered by the Greyhounds in the end zone to get the safety. The Lions had an early 15-0 lead to end the first.
In the second quarter, Mayo and Thornton reintroduced themselves to the Greyhounds’ defense on a 98-yard touchdown bomb, which is the longest touchdown pass in the school’s history.
On their next drive, the Lions put the nail in the coffin. Mayo threw an 18-yard laser to Ernest Quander for a touchdown. This was Quander’s first touchdown catch of the season.
Mayo and Thornton added insult to injury with their fourth hook up of the game with a 75-yard touchdown strike.
The Greyhounds avoided the shutout with new quarterback J.J. Harp throwing to Darian Dale for a 20-yard touchdown strike. They later connected on a 36-yard touchdown pass, but the game was already out of reach.
With the win, the Lions even their record to 2-2 and remain unbeaten at home this season. They played a perfect game.
“If we continue to play like this, I predict we won’t lose another game this season,” Thornton said.
Aside from the game the pregame festitvities were also exciting.
There is an unwritten rule in football. For every home game, there has to be a great tailgating party.
The Texas A&M University-Commerce Lions hosted the Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds, but for a few hours the game was irrelevant. Everyone was focused on having a good time and showing off their school spirit. Students from on and off campus came out to enjoy the pre-game activities. The local residents of Commerce came out to celebrate as well. There were even a few parents there to cheer on their kids.
Brian Sudderth and Dawn Sudderth, parents of freshman offensive lineman David Sudderth, drove 25 miles from Leonard, Texas to watch their son play.
There was something for everyone to do. Little kids were playing a pick up game of football and complaining over who got to be Peyton Manning or Tom Brady. They looked like future high school players out there.
There was great music throughtout the party. Athletic director Carlton Cooper booked a great local band called the Blandelles.
The Blandelles are a collection of professionals who have carved out a niche in the northeast Texas and southern Oklahoma area by playing “Rock and Roll the Way You Remember It” since 1985. They brought back an old school rock ‘n’ roll feeling to the party. The Blandelles played classical rock hits from artists like The Rolling Stones, Sam &Dave, and Elvis Presley. They even played one of their very own songs, “Rockin’ at the Drive-In”.
There were also students playing NCAA Football 2009 on Xbox 360. The party feeling was all Commerce.
At every tailgating party, there is great food. It was no different for the Commerce bash. The Mane Café was serving fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy that would make your mouth water. And you can never have a tailgating party without grilling. Some of the sororities were grilling hamburgers and hot dogs for everyone there.
As the game approached, the Texas A&M Commerce band introduced the football team and the cheerleaders with their fantastic drum playing. The fans gave the team a warm welcome as they made their way to the locker room. The band continued to play to the fans as they made their exit.