The Texas A&M University-Commerce football team won their second game in a row last Saturday, mostly thanks to a fantastic defensive effort. The win kept the Lions in first place in the North Division of the Lone Star Conference, despite a 2-4 overall record.
When head coach Guy Morriss was hired at the beginning of 2009, many writers predicted that the Lions would win the North Division, a prediction that I considered to be absurd. After all, the Lions were replacing every major skill position players while bringing in an almost completely new coaching staff and system.
The season looked pretty grim for A&M-Commerce after their first four games, although an overtime loss to second-ranked Abilene Christian University provided a glimpse at what the Lions could become. Now, with two consecutive victories and the North Division title in their grasp, A&M-Commerce has to correct several things in order to have a successful season. There are five key things the Lions have to accomplish if they want to win the North Division.
1. Establish an identity– This may seem a little esoteric for a football column, but bear with me. Any given Saturday you can go watch a different Lions team. One week, they’ll score 0 points. The next, they’ll score 56. One week, their defense will only let up two touchdowns. The next, a team will drop 76 points on them. This inconsistency remains their biggest problem, and one that A&M-Commerce will need to address if they want to win the North Division this season.
2. Continue dominant defensive play– Going into the 2009 season, the Lions knew that they would have to play tough defensively if they hoped to have a successful season and, for the most part, they’ve succeeded. Led by star linebacker Cory Whitfield, the Lions have not only stopped opposing offenses, they’ve also scored a ton of points. The biggest question facing the defense at this point in time is whether or not they can keep it up. The defense has spent so much time on the field that they’re bound to wear down at some point.
3. Run the football– All season the Lions have had problems running the ball, which has adversely affected their ability to control the clock and limit turnovers. A&M-Commerce is dangerously close to becoming a one-dimensional team. They have to be able to eat up some time and give their defense a chance to rest during games. 4. Eliminate turnovers and penalties– This one may seem obvious, but turnovers and penalties have killed the A&M-Commerce offense all season. Coach Morriss has attempted to reduce both by simplifying the offense, but the fact remains that A&M-Commerce is often forced to throw the ball 50 or more times a game, which will always result in a high amount of turnovers. The penalties are a result of the inexperience of the players and the new system, but soon the Lions will need to start overcoming those mental mistakes.
5. Get consistent play from the quarterback– During his three games as a starter, quarterback Adam Farkes has proven that he can win football games. In order for the Lions to win the North, Farkes has to continue to improve his accuracy and completion percentage while limiting turnovers. The good news is that Farkes is surrounded by an excellent receiving corps, featuring Taylor Fore, Blake Patton, and former starting quarterback Reid Herchenbach. If the offensive line can give him time and the Lions can establish the running game, Farkes can thrive. If not, then expect A&M-Commerce to struggle in tough games.