Lions meet Rams in must-win homecoming clash

With just four games remaining in the 2011 season, A&M-Commerce is looking at the best remaining chance for victory Saturday, as the Lions host Angelo State for homecoming at Memorial Stadium.

The Lions (0-6, 0-4 LSC) are already off to their worst start since 1926, but some relief could be on the way as they take on an Angelo State team that has lost four straight games. The Rams enter this contest at 3-4 and 0-4 in LSC play. Saturday's game will kickoff at 2 p.m.

Angelo State may be winless in conference games, but the Rams come into Saturday's game with two road wins under their belt and looking to end a losing skid that includes two close losses to Eastern New Mexico (23-21) and West Texas A&M (19-7). The Rams were crushed by Midwestern State last weekend, 68-20.

The Lions are the only winless team in the LSC, coming off a 54-27 loss to Tarleton State last week, in which A&M-Commerce trailed by just six points at halftime (19-13). The Lions are in jeopardy of becoming only the second team in program history to begin a season with seven consecutive losses.

The Rams enter the game with some serious offensive weapons, including sophomore quarterback Blake Hamblin, who has passed for 1,443 yards and nine touchdowns with just three interceptions. Senior running back Tristan Carter has carried the load in the Rams' running game, picking up 489 yards on 98 carries, including six touchdowns.

C.J. Akins is Hamblin's favorite target, having pulled in 23 catches for 420 yards with a pair of scores. Alvin Johnson (49 tackles) and Lawrence Rumph (6.5 sacks) lead the ASU defense.

Saturday's game will be the 41^st meeting between the Lions and Rams, with Angelo State holding a 24-14-2 record in the series, including wins over A&M-Commerce the past two seasons. The Rams won in last year's Harvey Martin Classic by a 31-10 score, and claimed a 13-10 decision in their last visit to Commerce in 2008.

A&M-Commerce is 44-30-1 in homecoming games, and will be playing Angelo State for the sixth time on homecoming. The Lions hold a 3-2 edge in those games. The homecoming game dates back to 1928, when the Lions defeated North Texas, 13-12.

The Lions will hit the road next week to face the 10^th-ranked Abilene Christian Wildcats before their final home game Nov. 5 against Eastern New Mexico.