Coming off a victory at the first annual Harvey Martin Classic, the Texas A&M Commerce Lions were looking to complete the homecoming celebreation with a win against Southeastern Oklahoma State.
Unfortunatly, the Lions were unable to come out with a win as they fell 28-24. The Savage Storm’s defense held the Lions on 4th and goal from the seven-yard-line as Terry Mayo got stuffed on a quarterback draw with just eight seconds left in the game. Quarterback Brandon McCain led the Storm with 263 yards passing yards and four passing touchdowns on just 18 completions. Running back Baylen Laury also helped put down the Lions with 138 rushing yards on 13 carries.
Mayo led the Lions with 286 passing yards and two touchdowns, one rushing and one passing. Junior Willie Thornton continued his monster season with nine receptions and 137 receiving yards, marking the fourth time this season he has eclisped the 100 yard receiving mark. Senior Andrew Gamboa had a great day for the Lions’ defense with 10 tackles, a fumble recovery, and an interception.
The Lions started the game with the ball and looked determined to get the crowd into the game. They marched right down the field with the help of Mayo’s right arm and his legs. He passed for 36 yards on the drive and added a 12-yard-run. The drive stalled as the Storm’s defense collasped on the Lions in the red zone. The Lions attempted a 32 yard field goal, but missed wide to the right as they wasted a good opening drive.
The Storm took it to the Lions on their first drive with Baylen Laury getting the key play with a 39-yard-run on an option play to the Lions’ 17 yard line. The Lions’ defense put a end to the scoring threat when Ricky Hope got pressure on McCain and forced him into a horrible interception. Senior Andrew Gamboa took the pick and returned it 35 yards. The Lions turned the turnover into three points as they got on the scoreboard first.The Storm answered back with Laury taking another option run for 67 yards to help set up an 11 yard touchdown pass to Junior Jay Rose to end the quarter with a 7-3 lead.
The Storm continued to gain momentum as their defense forced the Lions to punt to begin the second quarter. They picked up three first downs to start the drive. The Lions’ defense put the brakes on the Storm’s offense again when Hope nailed McCain with a DeMarcus Ware-like hit and forced a fumble. Red shirt junior Chad Washington scooped up the loose ball and took it to the 20 yard line only to fumble it, but junior A.J. Johnson took it the rest of the way for a touchdown. This was the first fumble returned for a touchdown since 2007 at last year’s homecoming game against San Angelo State. The Savage Storm came back with revenge on their mind as when McCain connected with Micheal Goodlow on a 34-yard touchdown pass. The Lions had a low snap on a field goal attempt late in the second quarter as they went into halftime trailing 14-10.
The Storm started the second half with good field positon, but was forced to punt after three plays. The Lions’ special teams made their mark on the game by blocking the punt and giving their offense great field position. Mayo didn’t take very long to get the ball in the endzone. He used his legs on a 15 yard touchdown run giving him four rushing touchdowns on the season. The Storm wouldn’t lie down for the Lions as McCain threw his third touchdown of the game with Daniel Nichols being on the receiving end of a 55 yard catch. The Storm took a 21-17 lead going into the fourth quarter.
The Lions’ defense forced a punt to begin the fourth. The offense came out on a mission to take the lead back. Ernest Quander caught a 21 yard strike to start the drive. Thornton continued his productive day with a 35 yard catch to get the Lions into Storm’s territory. Freshman Matt McLaren made a Randy Moss-like catch to the eight -yard-line. Senior Nabil El-Amin finished the drive with a seven- -yard touchdown catch, which was his first of the season.
After missing a field goal to tie the game, the Storm forced a three and out and started the comeback. They drove down the field in just three plays and 45 seconds. McCain throw his fourth touchdown of the game, tying a season high for him. Laury made the 18 yard touchdown reception to put the Storm up 28-24 with 5:30 remaining in the game.
Mayo and the offense take the field once again trailing. The drive looked promising after a 13 yard catch by thornton and a 15 yard scramble by Mayo. After a fourth down conversion, Mayo made his first mistake of the game. He threw a pass right into the hands of Johnny Seals for the interception. The defesne for the Lions made another amazing play as Hope forced his second fumble of the game. Gamboa got the recovery to give the Lions one last chance for the win.
The Lions’ offesne got the ball to the two-yard-line after key plays by Taylor Fore and Thornton. On first and goal, El-Amin got the handoff on a draw, but lost five yards on the play. On 2nd down, Mayo threw a bullet to Thornton on a slant, but it was out of his reach. It looked like Thornton was held, but there was no flag. On the next play, Mayo and Thornton couldn’t connect on a fade route. The next play was for the game. On 4th and goal from the seven-yard-line, Mayo tried to run it in on a quarterback draw, a questionable call, but was stopped by Lionel Gillespie to seal the game 28-24.
With the loss, the Lions dropped under.500 with a record of 4-5 and 2-2 in the LSC North. The Lions finish the season at with a home game against Southwestern Oklahoma with a chance to finish with a .500 record.