Two fourth quarter touchdowns led No. 7 Pittsburg State (NCAA Division II) to a 28-14 win over Texas A&M-Commerce in front of a nationally-televised audience at Carnie Smith Stadium in Pittsburg, Kansas on Saturday afternoon.
With the game tied at 14, in the fourth quarter, the host Gorillas (1-0) scored on both of their possessions in the final 15 minutes. To start the quarter, PSU culminated a 13-play 67-yard drive when quarterback Mark Smith scored his second of three touchdowns on a seven-yard run.
The Lions (0-1) looked to come back and tie the game for the third time of the afternoon. However, A&M-Commerce quarterback Terry Mayo was intercepted at the PSU 26-yard line by Adam Contreras to end the threat.
The Pitt State offense came back on to the field and went nine plays and 74 yards for the two-touchdown lead when Smith scored on a 13-yard run. Smith and the Gorillas posted 422 yards of total offense in the win, including 278 on the ground. He also was involved with all four PSU touchdowns, including three rushing.
Despite the loss, the Lions offense recorded 340 yards of total offense, including 260 from the air.
The 260 yards passing by Mayo are the most by an A&M-Commerce quarterback since the final game of the 2004 season when Buster Faulkner had 281 against West Texas A&M.
In his A&M-Commerce debut, Mayo completed 16 of 31 passes for two touchdowns and an interception in the defeat. The Lions offense had seven-different receivers catch passes; including senior JaMichael Palmer had a career-high four receptions for 103 yards and a touchdown. Senior wide receiver Meldrick Grice hauled in the other touchdown reception.
Mayo launched a 71-yard touchdown pass to Palmer in the second quarter that was the longest reception by an A&M-Commerce receiver since Faulkner hit Victor Bennett on a 72-yard pass against Eastern New Mexico on Oct. 16, 2004.
For his efforts, Mayo received Lone Star Conference North Division Player of the Week.
Eddie Moss lead the team on the ground with 46 yards on 12 carries.
Defensive back Courtney Edmond recorded a team-high 7 1/2 tackles.
Andrew Gamboa caused a turnover with his first interception of the year and AJ Johnson blocked a Gorillas field goal attempt in the first half.
This game was the first time in Lions they have played on national television. The game was broadcast on CSTV, Fox Sports South, Fox Sports Southwest, Metro Sports and Altitude and Entertainment. The game could also be heard on KETR 88.9 FM, after a one year absence.
The next game for the Lions is the home opener against Ouachita Baptist on Saturday at 7 p.m.