Published: November 05, 2009 12:31 am      

A&M-Commerce looks to clinch LSC North title

Texas A&M University-Commerce can earn its first Lone Star Conference North Division outright football title with a victory on Saturday at Southwestern Oklahoma State University.

The Lions, who’ve captured 20 conference football championships, have only won one North title and had to share that one in 2006 with four other teams. They won’t have to share this one if they win on Saturday since they’re alone in first place in the North race at 4-0 following last week’s 27-17 victory over Southeastern Oklahoma. Southeastern, which is alone in second place at 3-1, plays at East Central. Southwestern Okla., the Lions’ host on Saturday, is 1-9 for the season and 1-3 in LSC North play.

A&M-Commerce ranks in a tie for seventh in the overall conference standings at 4-4. All four of the Lions’ conference losses were to teams in the LSC South Division.

Tarleton State can win the outright title in the South and the conference championship with a victory over West Texas A&M at home in Stephenville on Saturday night.

Two Lions received weekly player of the week honors following their performances in the victory over Southeastern Oklahoma.

Lion running back Marcus Graham, who is a junior from Round Rock, claimed the LSC North offensive player of the week award after rushing for a career-high 166 yards and a touchdown on 30 carries.

Lion defensive tackle William Green, who is a senior from Dallas Lincoln, shared the LSC defensive player of the week award with Central Oklahoma linebacker Terry Hardeman after registering five tackles for losses and blocking a field goal. Three of his five tackles were quarterback sacks.

A&M-Commerce is facing a Southwestern team that ranks 12th in the league in total offense (229.8 yards per game) and 12th in total defense (449.2 ypg). The Lions rank 10th in total offense (296.3 ypg) and seventh in defense (386.4 pg).

A&M-Commerce leads the conference in red zone offense, converting 22 of 25 chances for 15 touchdowns.

Graham ranks seventh in the conference in rushing with 587 yards and six touchdowns on 158 carries.

A&M-Commerce quarterback Adam Farkes ranks ninth in the conference in passing, completing 153 of 300 for 1,747 yards, 12 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

Southwestern quarterback Steve Day ranks 10th, completing 209 of 411 for 1,864 yards, eight touchdowns and 19 interceptions.

Green of A&M-Commerce ranks second in the conference in tackles for losses with 14 solos and five assists.

A&M-Commerce linebacker Cory Whitfield ranks third in the league in tackles with 97, including 46 solos.



Lone Star Conference

2009 Football Standings



NORTH DIVISION

Division Overall PF PA

Texas A&M-Commerce 4-0 4-5 230 273

Southeastern Okla. 3-1 6-4 318 299

Central Okla. 2-2 3-7 240 330

Northeastern Okla. 2-2 2-8 183 326

Southwestern Okla. 1-3 1-9 129 383

East Central 0-4 0-10 117 342



SOUTH DIVISION

Division Overall PF PA

Tarleton State 4-19-1 308 140

Abilene Christian 3-2 8-2 329 185

Midwestern State 3-2 8-2 383 126

Texas A&M-Kingsville 3-2 8-2 316 242

West Texas A&M 3-2 8-2 302 247

Angelo State 2-3 6-4 285 246

Eastern N.M. 0-6 2-8 339 383



CONFERENCE

W L

Tarleton State 7-1

Abilene Christian 6-2

Midwestern State 6-2

Texas A&M-Kingsville 6-2

Angelo State 5-3

West Texas A&M 5-3

A&M-Commerce 4-4

Southeastern Okla. 4-4

Central Okla. 3-5

Northeastern State 2-6

Eastern N.M. 2-7

Southwestern Okla. 1-7

East Central 0-8



LAST WEEK’S RESULTS

A&M-Commerce 27, Southeastern Okla. 17

Abilene Christian 47, A&M-Kingsville 35

Panhandle State 28, Southwestern Okla. 24

Tarleton State 21, Angelo State 14

Central Okla. 42, East Central 25

West Texas A&M 66, Northestern State 23

Midwestern State 50, Eastern N.M. 17



SATURDAY’S GAMES

Abilene Christian at Midwestern State, 1 p.m.

A&M-Commerce at Southwestern Okla., 2 p.m.

Northeastern State at Central Okla., 2 p.m.

Southeastern Okla. at East Central, 2 p.m.

Angelo State at A&M-Kingsville, 7 p.m.

Incarnate Word at Eastern N.M., 7 p.m.

West Texas A&M at Tarleton State, 7 p.m.