Published: October 15, 2009 12:11 am      

A&M-Commerce looks to bounce back

Texas A&M University-Commerce will try to bounce back from another close loss to a national football power when the Lions travel to Ada, Okla. to take on East Central at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

The Lions had No. 6 nationally-ranked Texas A&M-Kingsville on the ropes last weekend in Commerce but let the Javelinas slip away in a 35-34 homecoming loss that head coach Guy Morriss is hoping doesn’t linger too long.

“I hope they don’t drown in their own misery,” he said on Saturday.

A&M-Commerce also lost 20-14 in overtime on Sept. 12 to Abilene Christian, which is now No. 1 in the NCAA Division II national rankings.

“We went toe to toe with the two best teams in the conference,” said Morriss.

He said the challenge this week is to get the Lions up for East Central, which is 0-7 after losing 38-20 last week to Incarnate Word, a new program.

The Tigers have also fallen 48-0 to Nebraska-Omaha, 39-7 to A&M-Kingsville, 41-2 to Tarleton tate, 29-9 to Angelo State, 17-7 to Northeastern State and 43-6 to Abilene Christian.

East Central ranks last in the conference in total offense (162.7 yards per game) and 10th in total defense (417.9 ypg). By comparison, the Lions are 10th in total offense (293.1 ypg) and ninth in defense (413.6 ypg).

East Central’s passing attack ranks last in the conference. The Tigers are averaging only 99 yards passing per game. They’re 66-of-165 for 696 yards with 11 interceptions and four touchdowns.

Josh Phillips, a 6-0, 210-pound junior from Sachse, was 8-of-19 passing for 126 yards and two touchdowns last week for the Tigers.

Josh Maldanado, a 5-5, 180-pound sophomore from Sachse, led the Tiger rushers with 82 yards and one touchdown on 12 carries.

East Central’s Alex Woodley, a 5-10, 180-pound junior from Mesquite, ranks among the interception leaders with four pickoffs.

A&M-Commerce linebacker Cory Whitfield ranks third in the conference with 77 tackles, including 35 solos.

Lion defensive tackle William Green is third in tackles for loses with eight solos and four assists.

A&M-Commerce defensive end Stephen DeGrate is tied for the conference lead in fumbles forced with three.



Lone Star Conference

2009 Football Standings



NORTH DIVISION

Division Overall PA PA

Southeastern Okla. 2-0 5-2 226 195

A&M-Commerce 2-0 2-5 172 228

Northestern State 2-1 2-5 91 173

East Central 0-1 0-7 51 255

Central Okla. 0-2 1-6 141 239

Southwestern Okla. 0-2 0-7 68 301



SOUTH DIVISION

Division Overall PF PA

Abilene Christian 2-0 7-0 255 105

A&M-Kingsville 2-0 7-0 236 126

Angelo State 2-1 5-2 214 152

Tarleton State 1-1 6-1 244 100

Midwestern State 1-2 5-2 252 86

West Texas A&M 1-2 2-5 161 188

Eastern N.M. 0-3 2-5 271 265



CONFERENCE

W L

Abilene Christian 5-0

A&M-Kingsville 5-0

Tarleton State 4-1

Angelo State 4-1

Midwestern State 3-2

Southeastern Oklahoma 3-2

West Texas A&M 2-3

Eastern N.M. 2-4

Northeastern State 2-4

A&M-Commerce 2-4

Central Okla. 1-4

East Central 0-5

Southwestern Okla. 0-6



Last week’s results

A&M-Kingsville 35, A&M-Commerce 34

Incarnate Word 38, East Central 20

Southeastern Okla. 41, Central Okla. 24

Abilene Christian 38, Angelo State 14

West Texas A&M 34, Eastern N.M. 24

Tarleton State 31, Midwestern State 28

Northeastern Okla. 13, Southwestern Okla. 6



Saturday’s games

Northeastern State at Southwest Baptist, 1:30 p.m.

A&M-Commerce at East Central, 2 p.m.

West Texas A&M at Abilene Christian, 2 p.m.

Angelo State at Southeastern Okla., 2 p.m.

Southwestern Okla. at Central Okla., 6 p.m.

Tarleton State at Eastern N.M., 7 p.m.

A&M-Kingsville at Midwestern State, 8 p.m.