A school record 132 points were scored combined in Texas A&M University-Commerce’s 76-56 loss to Eastern New Mexico(2-2) on Saturday night. Lions quarterback Adam Farkes was 32-61 and threw four touchdowns for a school record 447 yards. He threw to eight different receivers, and even ran in two touchdowns himself.
A&M-Commerce (0-4) began the scoring when Farkes found wide-receiver Blake Patton on a 26 yard touchdown pass. It was Patton’s first of two touchdown catches in this game, as he lead the Lions receivers with five catches for 105 yards. The Greyhounds answered back with two touchdowns of their own before Farkes ran in another to tie the game up 14-14 at the end of the first quarter.
Eastern New Mexico established a solid lead in the second quarter. They scored three consecutive touchdowns, two of which were thrown by quarterback J.J. Harp. Harp went 46-65 for 602 yards and threw five touchdowns. Three of those landed in the hands of Jesse Poku, who caught for 178 yards. At the half, the score was a staggering 42-28 in favor of the Greyhounds.
The Lions came back within a touchdown minutes after the start of the third quarter when Farkes found sophomore Adam Jones on a two yard pass. Eastern New Mexico’s Troy Harris answered back with a 51 yard rushing touchdown less than a minute later. Harris ran for 70 yards total on the night, and scored four touchdowns.
The score line also broke a 51 year record for the Greyhounds in what was a busy night for both offenses. Next weekend, Sept. 26, the Lions play their first game at Memorial Stadium this season when Central Oklahoma comes to town.
Women’s soccer
A&M-Commerce dropped both of their away games over the weekend, the first coming Friday night in a 2-1 loss to Incarnate Word. Sunday afternoon’s visit to St. Edward’s resulted in another defeat, 3-0.
Friday’s match started with a goal by University of the Incarnate Word in the 11th minute. Mallory Smith found a rebounded ball in the box and put it in the back of the net sending the Cardinals up 1-0.
Meagan Lasley equalized for the Lions just minutes into the second half. Lasley pounced on a loose ball and lobbed it up and over the Cardinals’ goalkeeper Tori Puentes. It was her eighth goal of the season and one of her two shots on the night.
With about 16 minute left, however, Incarnate Word struck again. This time Lianah Flores headed in a lobbed pass from Cassidy Ballantyne for the eventual game winner. The Cardinals out-shot A&M-Commerce 19-10. Lions goalkeeper Taylor Jordan made seven saves.
The following Sunday, a trip to St. Edward’s resulted in another devastating defeat for A&M-Commerce. In the fifth minute, the home team started the scoring when Sara Singleton touched the ball in from close range after a rebound in front of goal.
That was Janae Averett’s first assist of the night, and her second came in the 24th minute. Averett got the ball to Emily Arnold who beat Jordan at the near post to double St. Edwards’ advantage. The Lions were forced to defend for most of the match, as they were out-shot 18-1.
Averett scored the third and final goal about five minutes after she had contributed to the second. This time it was Kelly Servage’s pass, as Averett beat the Lions defense and slotted the ball past Jordan.
A&M-Commerce now gets a lengthy break from action as they gear up for their first Lone Star Conference game against Texas Woman’s at home on Tuesday, Sept. 29 at 7:00 p.m.
Volleyball
The Lions have now gone 10 games unbeaten in volleyball after a 25-23, 16-25, 25-18, 33-31 win over Tarlton State in Stephenville, Texas, Saturday afternoon. The win also takes them to 2-0 in LSC play.
Junior Naomi Mays was once again an offensive force, accounting for 24 kills. Perla Faudoa had a season high 51 assists, and freshman Ashleigh Bartlett had 13 digs.
This is the longest winning streak for A&M-Commerce in volleyball since 1988. The Lions started that season off with eleven wins, and eventually went to the NCAA South Central Regional finals. They now return home for a game on Thursday, Sept. 24, against West Texas A&M at 7:00 p.m.