2011 A&M-Commerce Football Preview

It hasn't been the easiest first two years for Texas A&M University-Commerce's head football coach Guy Morriss. After a surprising first year when the Lions won the North Division of the Lone Star Conference, Morriss' squad finished a disappointing 3-8 and struggled on both sides of the ball last season. The exit of five Oklahoma teams from the LSC has made the conference much stronger top to bottom, and A&M-Commerce can no longer count on easy wins.

"We'll be ready when the season starts," Morriss said. "We have to overcome us. We had some dumb penalties last season and we didn't take advantage of our opportunities. We've addressed our slow starts and we have to play every down if we want to be successful."

Morriss did not have a strong starting quarterback his first two seasons, but that should change in 2011. Former Eastern New Mexico quarterback J.J. Harp redshirted last year after he transferred within the conference, but now he is ready to challenge another newcomer, former TCU quarterback Yogi Gallegos, for the starting spot. Gallegos demonstrated poise in the pocket and a strong arm in the 2011 Spring Game, but Morriss has yet to announce a starter.

"This is the first season I've felt comfortable with the depth of the roster," Morriss said. "They have good chemistry, and guys are coming together. We don't have a lot of superstars, so we're going to have to play team ball. We're poised to make a step to the next level, and we aspire to be competitive with the big teams in this conference."

Whoever starts the season under center will have a veteran, explosive group of receivers to throw to. Led by first team All-LSC North wide receiver Kenzee Jackson (49 receptions, 451 yards), the Lions return seniors Taylor Fore (28 receptions, 351 yards, 4 touchdowns), Adam Jones (138 yards, 1 touchdown) and sophomore Tevin Godfrey (190 yards). Cutting back on dropped passes and developing chemistry with whoever gets the starting quarterback job are both a must for the Lions' receivers to be successful.

"I think it's fair to say that the receivers are the strongest portion of our offense," Morriss said.

Second team All-LSC North running back Marcus Graham returns for his senior season after leading the Lions in rushing yardage (815 yards on 173 carries, 7 touchdowns), overcoming getting injured late in the season. Despite Graham's output, the Lions' rushing attack lacks a bruising late-down rusher that Morriss' system calls for, which Morriss hopes to alleviate by introducing the powerful I formation.

"We've moved to some I [formation] plays so that we'll be able to run downhill easier," Morriss said. "We have good competition at almost every position across the board, including running back."

Creating holes for Graham and protecting the new quarterback will fall on an experienced offensive line. The line will need to be able to push the defenders off the ball better than they have in recent seasons.

"Our pass protection is getting better," Morriss said. "The whole group is working hard and they're coming along."

On defense, former standout Cory Whitfield is back after a knee injury sustained in the first game knocked him out for most of the season.

"It's a blessing to be playing again, I didn't even know if I was going to be able to play again after my injury," Whitfield said. "Hopefully I can come back better than ever. I don't have hamstring issues any more.  My knee feels great, and I can make all of the cuts."

He'll be joining last season's first team All-LSC North Danny Mason (99 total tackles) to form one of the conference's most intimidating linebacker corps.

"Our goal on defense is to get the ball back and score," Mason said. "If you force two turnovers, you're in the game, and if you force four, you win."

On the defensive line, sophomores Jake Williams and Tevin Moore showed flashes of brilliance as the season progressed and could both have a breakout season in 2011. Unfortunately, Williams injured himself over the summer and probably won't be ready for the first game. The secondary is led by senior Israel Hughes who has a lot to prove after only producing 6 interceptions in 2010.

"We have to stay consistent and we need to dominate on defense," Mason said. "We have to approach every game like it is a championship game, both on the field and in preparation during the week."

Punter Cameron Frosch (72 punts, 37.0 avg.) returns on special teams and freshman Jacob O'Neill should replace Ahmed Abo-Mahmood at kicker.

Prediction: With a tough schedule that includes three teams in the preseason Division II Top 25 and a new quarterback, the Lions will struggle early on. But, thankfully, the most difficult tests will be later in the season, and A&M-Commerce should have a chance to gel as a squad before then. The Lions should improve on last season's win total, but only by a game or two. A&M-Commerce finishes 5-5.