The Texas A&M University-Commerce football team hasn’t played well so far this season, and it’s not very hard to figure out why.
While it was obvious that the offense would need time to establish itself considering the players the Lions lost on that side of the football, A&M-Commerce has been particularly ineffective with the ball in their possession. They have been outscored 62-14 in their first two games.
Now, A&M-Commerce travels to the Cotton Bowl in Dallas for the second annual Harvey Martin Classic, with kick-off at 5 p.m. this Saturday. Their opponent is Division II and Lone Star Conference (LSC) powerhouse Abilene Christian University, the second-ranked Division II school in the nation. The odds, suffice it to say, are not in the Lions’ favor.
ACU beat A&M-Commerce 45-14 last season and went on to post an 11-1 mark and win the LSC championship. The running game, ACU’s strength, is A&M-Commerce head coach Guy Morriss’ main concern.
“A key for us Saturday is how our defensive line matches up with their big, strong offensive line,” he said. “They’re going to try and establish the run early, and if we can shut down the run it will make it easier for us to stop their offense.”
While A&M-Commerce’s chance of winning the game is slim, Morriss sees the game as strong challenge for his players.
“This is what football is all about: the big-time games,” he said. “You’re playing a great stadium in front of a good crowd there, and that’s what you live for as a football player.”
Morriss recognizes the fact that A&M-Commerce is rebuilding, a fact he has not shied away from since his hiring.
“It’s a typical rebuilding year,” he said. “We’re going to do it the right way, and we’re not going to take any shortcuts. We’d like some instant success, but it’s a long process.”
With that in mind, A&M-Commerce hopes to get into a groove on offense and establish a starting quarterback. If those two things occur on Saturday, even if the Lions lose, the game will be a success.
“The difference maker in any offense is the quarterback,” Morriss said. “We have to have better quarterback play.”
Reid Herchenbach, the starter from the first two games, will receive the start again Saturday, but don’t be surprised if Morriss replaces him early if he is not productive.
“We’re going to try and put the best eleven players out there and see if we can get it done,” he said. “Nobody’s job is safe, and that’s the way you have to do it. It’s all based on performance.”