Published: November 01, 2009 01:00 am      

A&M-Commerce defense steps up in win

DURANT, Okla. — Texas A&M University-Commerce’s defense recorded seven sacks, including one that set up a clinching touchdown in the Lions’ 27-17 victory over Southeastern Oklahoma State on Saturday at Paul Laird Field.

Senior Stephen DeGrate sacked Southeastern Oklahoma quarterback Justin Pitrucha, forcing a fumble that DeGrate returned 55 yards with 1:29 left to seal the victory.

A&M-Commerce, now 4-5 for the season, stayed undefeated in Lone Star Conference North Division play at 4-0 while the Savage Storm dropped to 6-4 overall and 3-1 in the LSC North.

A&M-Commerce can clinch the outright LSC North title with a victory on Saturday at Southwestern Oklahoma State in Weatherford, Okla.

The Lions found themselves behind from the opening kickoff when Jerome Hewitt ran it back 97 yards to give the Savage Storm an early 7-0 advantage, just 13 seconds into the contest.

SOSU extended its lead to 10-0 on a 25-yard field goal by Cole Jones, a senior from Greenville, after a 10-play, 56-yard drive with the Savage Storm’s first possession.

A&M-Commerce got on the board late in the second quarter when Marcus Graham ran in from two yards out. Graham finished the game with a season-high 166 yards on 30 carries. During the drive, Adam Farkes completed passes of 11 and 18 yards to Reid Herchenbach and Adam Jones, respectively. Facing a third and eight, the Lions took advantage of a pass interference call on SOSU to set up first and goal and the eventual touchdown by Graham.

The Lions had the ball to start the second half and took their first lead of the game when Farkes found an open Taylor Fore for a 47-yard touchdown reception. Earlier in the drive, Farkes completed a 31-yard pass to Maurice DuPont.

An ensuing drive by SOSU ended when Laronzo Bursey intercepted a Pitrucha pass.

The Lions came right back with a field goal by Abo-Mahmood from 24 yards out to extend the lead to 17-10.

Early in the fourth quarter, SOSU tied the game at 17 on the 37-yard touchdown pass to Nichols.

Again, the Lions had an answer as Abo-Mahmood made his second straight field goal to give A&M-Commerce a 20-17 advantage.

After both teams exchanged punts, SOSU took possession at midfield with 8:37 left in the game. The Savage Storm moved the ball down into the red zone and after an incomplete pass on first down and third down, A&M-Commerce senior William Green blocked a 31-yard field goal attempt by Jones.

After a three and out by the Lions offense, the defense rose to the occasion again with the play by DeGrate.