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Lions to continue Chennault Cup series in Kingsville

The Javelinas hold a 13-5 record in Chennault Cup games, and a 36-25-1 edge in the all-time series between the two teams.
lionathletics.com
The Javelinas hold a 13-5 record in Chennault Cup games, and a 36-25-1 edge in the all-time series between the two teams.

After a heartbreaking 51-44 loss to Delta State University on Sept. 12, the no. 22 Texas A&M University-Commerce football team now seeks to get back to winning form with its first Lone Star Conference contest against the Texas A&M University-Kingsville Javelinas this Saturday.

Last week’s game, which was touted as one of the games to watch in NCAA Division II, lived up to its hype. With 1,151 yards of total offense between the two teams, including 918 through the air, both sides put on a show for the large crowd at Memorial Stadium in Commerce.

A&M-Commerce (1-1) led for most of the game, but its lead was never more than 11 points, as the Statesmen (2-0) were able to hang close with some offensive prowess of their own. Delta State quarterback Tyler Sullivan continued to prove why he was a Harlan Hill Trophy candidate last year, with 496 passing yards and three touchdowns. He also grabbed a touchdown on the ground.

Sullivan led his team on a late rally by tossing two of his three touchdown passes in the game’s final four minutes. Delta State went ahead 51-44 and sealed the fate of the Lions.

Lions quarterback Harrison Stewart did his best to drive his team down the field with just 69 seconds remaining, but a few costly penalties on A&M-Commerce cut its remaining time down severely, and one final throw to the end zone ended up incomplete.

Stewart improved on his passing totals from the first game of the season by throwing for 422 yards with four touchdowns. Running back Richard Cooper quietly had another 100-yard rushing game, ending with 135 yards on the ground with a touchdown. Junior wide receiver Lance Evans didn’t lead the Lions in receiving yards, with 97, but he did come up with three touchdown grabs on the night to lead his team in scoring. Senior defensive back Dionte Taylor led all defenders with a whopping five pass break-ups in the contest.

Lions Head Coach Colby Carthel was still pleased with the offensive output of his team.

“We were able to put a lot of points on the board against a high-quality opponent,” Carthel said. “We proved that we can go toe-to-toe with one of the best teams in the country.”

Carthel noted that there were “lots of bright spots, but you have to have four quarters of bright spots, not just two or three at a time.”

With the early-season non-conference schedule completed, A&M-Commerce will now begin LSC play with a trip down south to Kingsville, where the Javelinas (1-1) seek to change their recent fortune against the Lions. A&M-Commerce has won the three previous matchups by a combined score of 117-62. Last season, the contest between these two teams was held at AT&T Stadium, where the Lions made the most of the big stage with a convincing 55-20 win.

A&M-Kingsville features a different look - with a new quarterback and new head coach. Redshirt junior quarterback Myles Carr, a transfer from Fresno State University, has played well. Carr narrowly missed out on a win in his first game, and helped lead his team to a victory in its second. However, defense is a stronger point for A&M-Kingsville. The Javelinas’ opponents have averaged only 19 points per game, while Lions opponents have averaged 34 points per game.

Javelinas head coach Daren Wilkinson is in his first head coaching position. He most recently found success as the offensive coordinator of last year’s Division II Champion, Colorado State University-Pueblo. He looks to bring that success with him to Kingsville.

These two teams have what many believe to be the most storied rivalry in the Lone Star Conference, and will battle for the Chennault Cup for the 19th time. The Javelinas hold a 13-5 record in Chennault Cup games, and a 36-25-1 edge in the all-time series between the two teams.

Carthel is well aware of the heated rivalry, and expects an exciting game on Saturday.

“Texas A&I and East Texas, it doesn’t get much better than that,” Carthel said.