Football Preview: Lions seek first win at home to Cards

The Lions (0-4 overall, 0-2 LSC) and Cardinals (1-4 overall, 1-2 LSC) will kickoff from Memorial Stadium at 6p.m. Those who cannot make it to the stadium can find information from the game – including live update and commentary – on Twitter by following @EastTexan_Sport. Fans can also hear the game live on FM 88.9 KETR.

The two teams met for the first time last season in San Antonio, with Incarnate Word narrowly escaping with a 17-16 win. Saturday marks the Cardinals' first trip to Commerce. The Cardinals have 20 of 22 starters returning from that team and will come to town looking to halt a three-game losing streak that includes losses of 45 and 31 points during the last two weeks.

The Lions are just simply looking for a win, not only to salvage their season, but also to try and establish some momentum heading into the second half of their schedule. Last week, A&M-Commerce suffered a 39-21 defeat at the hands of A&M-Kingsville. Junior quarterback Yogi Gallegos suffered an injury at the end of the first half in that game, and will be out of action for Saturday's contest. Redshirt junior J.J. Harp gets the call to start this weekend.

Despite the loss, linebacker Cory Whitfield made team history when he returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown, eclipsing the previous record of 98 yards, set in 1978 by Anthony Freeman. Also, redshirt freshman Lawson Schwertner pounced on a fumble for his first career touchdown.

The Cardinals are led offensively by quarterback Paden Lynch, who has passed for 924 yards and six touchdowns along with three rushing scores. The junior has also thrown six interceptions. Trent Rios leads the running game with 386 yards and six touchdowns. On the defensive side, Juan Asencio is the leading tackler with 42 stops, while Devin Haywood has a nose for the ball, leading the LSC with five interceptions.

The Lions will take to the road again next week, traveling to Stephenville to face Tarleton State on Oct. 15 before celebrating homecoming Oct. 22 against Angelo State.