A&M-Commerce going 'throwback' for homecoming game

By DAVID CLAYBOURN

COMMERCE — Alumni will notice something very familiar about the Texas A&M; University-Commerce Lions during today’s homecoming football game against Southeastern Oklahoma State.

The Lions will be wearing “throwback” jerseys with the words “East Texas” as in East Texas State, the name of the university before it joined the Texas A&M; system. Their helmets will also display the old “ET” logo. Game jerseys and helmets will be sale for $100 on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Lions are 42-26-1 (.690) on homecoming.

They’re also tough to beat in Commerce. They are 191-98-8 (.656) at Memorial Stadium, including a 2-0 record there this season. They’ve beaten Angelo State 13-10 at Commerce on Sept. 6 and Eastern New Mexico 38-14 at Commerce on Sept. 20.

A&M-Commerce; also won another designated home game this season, whipping East Central (Okla.) 27-15 though that one was on Oct. 18 in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas in the inaugural game of the Harvey Martin Classic. Running back Nabil El-Amin rushed for a career-high 194 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries to lead the Lions and also claim the Lone Star Conference North Division offensive player of the week award. El-Amin scored on bursts of 33 and 10 yards.

El-Amin now ranks fourth in the conference in rushing with his average of 84.2 yards per game. The 5-9, 191-pound senior from Rochester, N.Y., has rushed for 505 yards and three touchdowns on 103 carries.

A&M-Commerce; wide receiver Willie Thornton, who scored against East Central on a 30-yard pass reception, ranks third in the conference in receiving yards with 731 yards off 37 catches. Thornton has caught nine touchdown passes.

Lion quarterback Terry Mayo ranks ninth in the conference in passing, completing 90 of 190 attempts for 1,249 yards, nine touchdowns and six interceptions.

A&M-Commerce; linebacker Andrew Gamboa ranks second in the league in tackling, with 82 stops, including 40 solos, for an average of 10.2 tackles per game.

A&M-Commerce; punter Juan Velasco ranks third in the league with a 42.1-yard punting average and Daniel Swaim is fourth at 41.9.

The Lions’ offense ranks ninth in the conference at 294.8 yards per game, while Southeastern Oklahoma is 10th with a 288.9 yard norm.

The Lions’ defense is fifth overall, giving up 313.9 ypg, while the Savage Storm is 11th, giving up 387 ypg.

Southeastern Oklahoma quarterback Brandon McCain ranks third in the league in pass efficiency with a 135.0 mark . He’s completed 60.2 percent of his passes (136-of-226) for 1,582 yards, 14 touchdowns and only five interceptions.

Savage Storm running back Baylen Laury is also seventh in the league in rushing with 553 yards and five touchdowns on 123 carries.

Cole Jones, a sophomore from Greenville, is 6-of-11 on field goals and 18-of-19 on extra points for the Savage Storm. He’s also booted 12 touchbacks on kickoffs.

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Former quarterback Bob Bounds and wide receiver George Daskalakes will become the 56th and 57th football players inducted into the A&M-Commerce; Athletic Hall of Fame during a special ceremony tonight.

Bounds, who played from 1988-91, still ranks as the Lions’ all-time career leader in passing yardage (5,955 yards) and total offense (6,369).

Daskalakes, who played from 1969-70, ranks fifth in career receptions (111) and receiving yardage (1,838).

The 1958 football Lions, coached by J.V. Sikes, will also be inducted into the Hall of Fame. The Lions went 10-1 that season, beating Missouri Valley 26-7 in the Tangerine Bowl.

The 1978 Lion tennis team and Alan Crute will also be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Bobby Fox Memorial Outstanding Coach Award winners who’ll be honored include Leon “Red” Spencer (Trinity Valley basketball coach), Tosha Spain (Athens volleyball coach) and Steve Schkade (Frisco Wakeland tennis coach).

Former Lion running back great “King” Arthur James, who’ll be inducted into the Lone Star Conference Hall of Honor, will also be recognized at today’s game.

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