Harvey Martin Classic ends in Lions loss

The Angelo State Rams (2-0) overcame an early field goal by A&M-Commerce (1-1) to defeat the Lions 31-10 in the third annual Harvey Martin Classic on Sept. 11, 2010.

A&M-Commerce quarterback Adam Farkes struggled throughout the game to complete passes, finding receivers on only 17 of his 37 pass attempts. Farkes was pressured throughout the game as the Rams sacked him seven times and forced three interceptions.

"We have to take care of the football and we have to protect the quarterback," senior Lion's offensive lineman John Marshall said. "Offensively those are the two main things we need to focus on going into next week's game."

Rams QB Josh Neiswander threw for 3 touchdowns and 260 yards, 83 of them on a second quarter touchdown pass to wide receiver Dakari Pecikones. Rams running back Nevin Gardner rushed for 68 yards on only nine carries for a 7.6 yards per carry average.

"We didn't play very hard and that's my responsibility," Lion's head football coach Guy Morriss said. "I don't know whether to laugh or cry. It's one of those games that it's hard to figure out what happened until you look at the game film."

The Lions did have a few bright spots in their loss. RB Marcus Graham scored his third touchdown of the season in the third quarter and freshman wideout Tevin Godfrey caught four passes for 103 yards.

"We knew what [Angelo State] was going to do and we failed to execute," Graham said. "Next week we have to show that we're better than what we played like tonight."

A&M-Commerce started off well when Farkes completed a 59-yard pass to Godfrey to put the Lions in the redzone, but a stand from the Rams defense forced A&M-Commerce to kick a 22-yard field goal. A second field goal attempt later in the first quarter by Ahmed Abo-Mahmood was blocked. Both teams struggled offensively until Neiswander threw the 83-yard bomb to begin a 24-0 Rams' run.

"The A&M-Commerce defense shut us down in the first half," Neiswander said. "The only reason we were in the game was because of our defense."

Rams defensive back Terrance Preston intercepted a Farkes' pass and returned it 41 yards to put Angelo State up 14-3 at the half.

Angelo State continued to put the pressure on A&M-Commerce in the second half, scoring on three of their first four drives.

The Lions finally got back on the board when Graham punched in their only touchdown of the game with a five yard run. The Rams scored their final touchdown of the game at the beginning of the fourth quarter when Neiswander connected with V'Keon Lacey on a 33-yard strike.

"We didn't play well, period," Morriss said. "We'll go back to work, work a little harder and do something a little different."

A&M-Commerce's defense often left Rams receivers open when playing zone coverage.

"I don't know if we were confused or tired or a combination of both," Morriss said. "It was very lackluster."

The Rams defense then toughened up and forced four punts and a turnover on downs in the Lions last five possessions. With five minutes to go in the fourth quarter, Morriss replaced Farkes with true freshman Luke Wagner.

"At that point [Farkes] was really struggling and we decided to give Luke some reps," Morriss said. "We thought we'd give him a look to see how he would do."

The Lions play their first away game against Lone Star Conference opponent A&M-Kingsville on Saturday, Sept. 18th.