Senior defensive back Alex Contreras returned to the Texas A&M University-Commerce Lions football team (3-5) for the first time in four games, and not a moment too soon. His seven tackles and forced fumble keyed a strong A&M-Commerce defensive performance against the winless East Central University Tigers in the Lions 31-28 comeback victory.
The Lions only allowed 252 total yards of offense to the Tigers and came away with two turnovers. Cory Whitfield led A&M-Commerce again with ten tackles, and Michael Cleveland forced another fumble to keep the Lions in the game.
Lions’ running back Marcus Graham rushed for over 100 yards and added a touchdown to Farkes’ three scores. Wide receiver Adam Jones led the Lions receiving corps with four catches and 41 yards.
The Lions started strong out of the gate, scoring on their opening possession when quarterback Adam Farkes completed a 25-yard pass to former starting quarterback Reid Herchenbach. The Tigers cut the Lions lead to 1 after two consecutive field goals and tacked on 22 consecutive points following a 1-yard touchdown run by Farkes.
The Lions responded by scoring 17 straight points, kicking the winning field goal with over eight minutes left in the fourth quarter. A&M-Commerce’s defense stood strong, holding the Tigers scoreless in the final quarter to preserve the Lions’ third victory of the season.
The win keeps the Lions undefeated in the North Division. After taking a week off, A&M-Commerce will play against Southeastern Oklahoma on Oct. 31 and Southwestern Oklahoma on Nov. 7 to finish out the season. Both of those games are against North Division opponents, and a sweep of their last two games will leave A&M-Commerce in sole place at the top of the North Division.