After losing in a shootout last week, the Texas A&M University-Commerce Lions won their home opener 27-23 against the Central Oklahoma Bronchos. The Lions won the game on a last second touchdown pass from redshirt junior Adam Farkes to redshirt sophomore Taylor Fore. Despite five interceptions by Farkes, including four in the first half, the Lions were able to get their first win of the season.
It was also head coach Guy Morriss’ first win as the Lions’ head coach.
“It was a longtime coming,” Morriss said. “This win feels fantastic.”
Farkes passed for 314 yards and two touchdowns, with Fore on the receiving end of both. Sophomore Adam Jones led the Lions in receiving with nine catches for 121 yards. The Lions’ defense held the Bronchos to 40 rushing yards. Senior Ameer Ali and juniors Cory Whitfield and Stephen DeGrate all recorded double-digit tackles. Junior A.J. Billings added six tackles and an interception. Senior quarterback Brandon Noohi led the Bronchos with 332 passing yards and two touchdowns.At the beginning of the game, neither team had the advantage. Farkes threw an interception on the Lions’ first possession. Junior Israel Hughes had two key break-ups to end the Bronchos’ drive.
On the Bronchos next drive, they converted on two fourth-down attempts to get them in scoring distance. The Lions’ defense forced the Bronchos to attempt a 20 yard field goal to get the game’s first points, but it was subsequently blocked by senior Anthony DeGrate. Shea Rodriguez grabbed the loose ball and took it 96 yards for the touchdown. This was the first time since 1989 that the Lions returned a blocked field goal for a touchdown. The Lions took a 7-0 lead into halftime after both teams couldn’t get any offense going.
As the third quarter began, the Bronchos took over. They scored 17 unanswered points starting with senior Ben Birmingham scoring on a 14 yard dash. On their following drive, Noohi threw a 12 yard pass to sophomore Daniel Morrell to give the Bronchos a 14-7 lead. Junior kicker Ross Weaver added a field goal at the start of the fourth quarter to make the score 17-7.
The Lions’ offense wasted little time getting the comeback started. After Farkes threw his fifth pick of the game, Billings got the Lions’ offense the ball back with a pick of his own. The Lions took advantage and drove the ball down the field. Farkes recovered from throwing five interceptions to throw his first touchdown pass of the game to make it 17-14.
On A&M-Commerce’s next possession, they used screen passes to move the ball on the Bronchos’ defense. Senior fullback Maurice DuPont, who was playing with a broken thumb, caught one of them to get to the Bronchos’ 16 yard line. Fore snagged a pass from Farkes to get the Lions to the 1 yard line, and two plays later redshirt sophomore Marcus Graham powered his way into the end zone to give the Lions a 20-17 lead with 4:34 left in the game.
Unfortunately, the Lions didn’t have the lead for long. Noohi threw an 80 yard bomb to freshman Dolphin Davis to regain the lead 23-20.
After the Lions’ offense stalled, their defense picked the team up. The Lions’ offense got the ball back on their own 19 yard line with 1:33 left in the game. Farkes completed three consecutive passes to senior quarterback Reid Herchenbach, who practiced at wide receiver this week, to get the ball to the Bronchos’ 47 yard line. After a pass interference call on the Bronchos, sophomore Blake Patton caught a pass to move the Lions to the Bronchos’ 27 yard line. With 10 seconds left in the game, coach Morriss decided to take a shot to win the game. Farkes connected with Fore on a broken route with only 2 seconds remaining. Fore pulled off his best Marques Colston impersonation by snagging the jump ball out of mid-air for the game-winning touchdown.
“I’m glad they trusted me after I dropped two passes earlier,” Fore said. “I’m just relieved to get the win.” Next week, A&M-Commerce continue their home stand as they battle Northeastern State on Oct. 3 at 6:00 p.m.
After losing to West Texas A&M Thursday night, A&M-Commerce volleyball was determined to win their next match against Eastern New Mexico on Saturday, Sept. 26.
In the first game, both Commerce and Eastern New Mexico fought fiercely for every point. Freshman Ashleigh Bartlett had five consistent serves that helped keep the Lions in the lead. By the end of the game, the Lions won with a close score, 26-24.
They started off the second game gaining the first point. Morgan Moeller had six consistent serves that helped the Lions lead between a close game after a 13-13 score. With Rachel Robertson’s game point serve, the Lions won their second game 25-14.
In the third game after 15 kills and amazing scoring serves, A&M-Commerce won their final game of the day, 25-16. Junior Perla Faudoa had a total of 26 assists and 12 digs. Junior Naomi Mays had seven kills and worked well with Terra Ousley, who had the leading number of kills with eight, in blocking on defense. Lauren Flynn was also a shining player, with a team leading 18 digs.
The Lions now get a week to practice before playing Dallas Baptist University for the second time this season on Friday, Oct. 2, in their first game of the Pittsburg State Classic tournament in Pittsburg, Kan.