A&M-Commerce, Central Oklahoma playing it close

By DAVID CLAYBOURN

Don’t expect Texas A&M; University-Commerce or Central Oklahoma to panic if tonight’s Lone Star Conference football contest turns into a close game.

Both teams have already been in more than their share of close games through the first four weeks of the season.

Three of the 2-2 Lions’ games have been decided by three points or less including victories of 14-13 over Tarleton State and 17-14 over Fort Hays State (Kan.), plus a 20-17 overtime loss to A&M-Kingsville.; The Lions also lost 35-14 to No. 7 nationally-ranked (NCAA Division II) West Texas A&M.;

The margin of victory in all four of the 2-2 Bronchos’ games has been six points or less, including victories of 30-24 in three overtimes over Angelo State and 19-16 over Eastern New Mexico, plus losses of 32-27 in two overtimes to Missouri Western and 24-18 to Abilene Christian.

Central Oklahoma won last week’s game on a 7-yard touchdown pass from Ryan O’Hara to Marcellus Parker with 26 seconds remaining. O’Hara, a 6-6, 220-pound junior from Pasadena, Calif., was named the LSC North Offensive Player of the Week after completing 19 of 30 passes for 228 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He was 8-of-11 passing for 92 yards on the Bronchos’ final touchdown drive.

A&M-Commerce; strong safety Jack Criss shared the LSC North Defensive Player of the Week award with Central Oklahoma linebacker Will Clewis.

Criss, a 6-0, 186-pound senior from Dallas, made six tackles, sharing in a sack and also recovered a fumble against Tarleton State. Criss made the final tackle of the game, keeping Tarleton State tight end Chuck Egbuonu from making it out of bounds at the Lion 44. Time ran out on Tarleton State before the Texans could run off another play.

Clewis, a 6-1, 240-pound senior from Fort Worth, rang up 15 tackles against Eastern New Mexico, including two big stops late in the game that forced Eastern New Mexico to punt.

Special teams player Louis Lujan also produced a big play for the Lions last week, partially blocking Paul Williams’ extra point try that sailed under the crossbar.

“There were some things we did better in every aspect of the game,” said Lions coach Scotty Conley. “Certainly the special teams were better.”

A&M-Commerce; rushed for 196 yards against Tarleton State, getting 85 yards on 12 carries form quarterback Daniel Coleman, who was also 2-of-6 passing for 40 yards. Coleman scored the Lions’ first touchdown on a 67-yard run and later threw to David Wofford for a 36-yard touchdown on a play-action pass.

A&M-Commerce; ranks third in the conference in rushing at 240.8 yards per game. Coleman ranks third in the LSC in rushing at 92.7 yards per game and running back Cliff Edwards is ninth with an average of 77.5 ypg. Edwards leads the Lions with 310 yards on 73 carries.

O’Hara of Central Oklahoma ranks eighth in the conference in passing at 155.5 ypg. O’Hara has completed 62 of 102 attempts for 622 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions.

Parker leads the Broncho receivers with 13 catches for 222 yards and two touchdowns.

Clewis of Central Oklahoma is the leading tackler in the conference with 46 stops, including 12 solos.

Linebacker Garnet Smith leads the Lions with 31 tackles, including seven solos.

This game opens LSC North Division play for both teams. A&M-Commerce; finished second in the North Division standings last year at 4-2 while Central Oklahoma tied for third with a 2-3 mark.

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