Published: September 06, 2008 11:57 pm      

A&M-Commerce ekes out 13-10 win

COMMERCE — A sack by William Green and Ramon Jackson on fouth and goal with 3:39 left in regulation preserved a 13-10 win by Texas A&M-Commerce over Angelo State in a Lone Star Conference matchup on Saturday night at Memorial Stadium.

The Lions (1-1) defense came up with its seventh sack after Angelo State head coach Dale Carr made the decision to go for it on fourth down at the A&M-Commerce three with nearly four minutes left in the game.

The Rams (0-2) looked to capitalize on a blocked punt and a personal foul by A&M-Commerce that set up first and goal. After getting to the 2-yard line on a rush by Daniel Thomas, the Rams called on the senior running back for the third straight play before being met by A&M-Commerce linebacker Andrew Gamboa, who tackled him for a 1-yard loss to set the stage for the fourth down call.

A field goal would have tied the game for the Rams and after forcing the Lions to punt the ball, A&M-Commerce head coach Scotty Conley went to Juan Velasco for the kicking duties in replace of Daniel Swaim. The junior from Santa Maria, California delivered a 46-yard punt and then an interception by Alonzo Meinfield preserved the Lions win.

The win snaps a six-game losing streak in home openers for the Lions, who last posted a win on opening day in 2001. Also, in the win, it is the third in a row for A&M-Commerce over Angelo State for the first time since a string of three in a row from 1972-1974.

Next up for A&M-Commerce is a matchup at 6 p.m. Saturday in Abilene against No. 6 (NCAA Division II) Abilene Christian, which was picked to win the LSC North.