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Published: October 17, 2009 01:47 am
A&M-Commerce looks to stay atop LSC North
By DAVID CLAYBOURN
Herald-Banner Staff
Texas A&M University-Commerce will try to keep its Lone Star Conference North Division spotless as the Lions take on winless East Central at 2 p.m. today in Ada, Okla.
Though the Lions are 2-5 overall they are 2-0 in the North with victories of 27-23 over Central Oklahoma and 27-12 over Northeastern State.
East Central is 0-1 in the North and 0-7 for the season. The Tigers have fallen 38-20 to Incarnate Word, 48-0 to Nebraska-Omaha, 39-7 to A&M-Kingsville, 41-2 to Tarleton State, 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 in their loss to Incarnate Word.
Josh Maldanado, a 5-5, 180-pound sophomore from Sachse, led the Tiger rushers with 82 yards and one touchdown on 12 carries.
The Lions are hoping to bounce back from a second close loss to a national power from the LSC’s South Division. 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.
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 head coach Guy Morriss.
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.
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