Published: November 07, 2009 01:52 am      

A&M-Commerce faces Southwesten Oklahoma

The first time the Texas A&M University-Commerce Lions captured a Lone Star Conference North Division football title they had to share it with four other teams in 2006.

The 4-5 Lions won’t have to share the championship this year if they close out the 2009 season with a victory over the 1-9 Southwestern Oklahoma State University Bulldogs at 2 p.m. today at Milam Stadium in Weatherford, Okla.

A&M-Commerce, after beating Southeastern Oklahoma 27-17 last week, is already assured of at least a share of the title. The Lions are alone in first place in the North Division at 4-0 while Southeastern is second with a 3-1 mark. Southeastern plays at East Central today.

Southwestern is 1-3 in the North, including losses of 33-10 to Southeastern Oklahoma, 13-6 to Northeastern State and 41-23 to Central Oklahoma. The Bulldogs nipped East Central 14-13 for their only LSC North win.

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

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

Lion defensive tackle William Green, who is a senior from Dallas Lincoln and Richardson, 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. Green ranks second in the conference in tackles for losses with 14 solos and five assists.

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.

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