Better View Tree Trimming Header Ad
Hess Gravely Sales Event Header
ETB Advertising Banner Header Terrie 1
ETB Advertising Banner Header Terrie 2
Sandlin Header 2022
Cypress Basin Hospice 2023 Header
Hess Lawn Mower Header

TAMUC – Sports

No. 20 Lions visit No. 4 Tarleton in the battle for President’s Cup.

COMMERCE – The No. 20 Texas A&M University-Commerce football team hits the road this weekend for another highly anticipated and essential Battle for the President’s Cup, taking on No. 4-ranked Tarleton State University this Saturday. 

WHO: Texas A&M University-Commerce at Tarleton State University

WHERE: Stephenville | Memorial Stadium

WHEN: 6 p.m. on Saturday, October 19

RECORDS: A&M-Commerce is 5-1 overall and 3-0 in the Lone Star Conference after defeating Midwestern State, 54-28. Tarleton is 6-0 overall and 4-0 in the LSC after a 49-10 road win at Eastern New Mexico.

RANKINGS: A&M-Commerce is ranked No. 20 in the AFCA Coaches’ Poll and No. 19 in the D2Football.com Media Poll. Tarleton is ranked No. 20 in the AFCA Coaches’ Poll and No. 5 in the D2Football.com Media Poll.

LIVE AUDIO: Lion Sports Network — KETR 88.9 FM, Commerce (http://www.ketr.org)

LIVE VIDEO: https://tarletonsports.com/showcase?Live=1387

LIVE STATS: http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=275144

TICKETShttps://tarletonsports.com/sports/2019/3/28/football-ticket-prices.aspx

ABOUT THE TARLETON SERIES

• The Lions are 15-13 all-time in the trophy game, with an 8-6 record in Stephenville.

• Since the President’s Cup, inaugurated in 2010, the Lions are 6-5 in the series. Tarleton won the Cup from 2010-12, followed by six straight A&M-Commerce wins.

• Tarleton won both matchups last season – one in Commerce and one in Stephenville.

• A&M-Commerce’s last loss in Stephenville in the regular season was in 2011. 

SENIORS SUCCEED OVER CAREER SPAN

• The 2018 senior class claimed the school record for wins in four years with 43 with a win at Minnesota Duluth in last year’s playoffs.

• The 2019 senior class tied that record with the win over Midwestern State, with a record of 43-7 through 50 games.

• They are three games away from tying the school record for most games played by a senior class.

• This year’s senior class is also tied with the 1951-54 class for the highest winning percentage by a class.

Years Record Pct
2016-19 43-7 86.0
2015-18 43-10 81.1
2014-17 42-10 80.8
1951-54 36-5-2 86.0
2013-16 35-14 71.4
1957-60 34-7 82.9
1972-75 32-13-1 70.6
1936-39 31-8 79.5
1990-93 31-16-1 65.6

BAILIFF BEGINS ON RIGHT FOOT
• Lion Football head coach David Bailiff was hired in December 2018 as the 20th head football coach at A&M-Commerce.
• Since East Texas joined the Lone Star Conference as charter members in 1931, Bailiff is the 13th head coach of the Lions.
• He has won all five of his “firsts” games at A&M-Commerce

FIRSTS GAMES
First Game NUEVO LEON Sept. 7 W 83-0
First Road Game at Western Oregon Sept. 14 W 34-27
First LSC Game EASTERN N.M. Sept. 21 W 45-27
First LSC Road Game at Tex. A&M-Kingsville Oct. 5 W 33-6
First National TV Game MIDWESTERN ST. Oct. 12 W 54-28
First Regional TV Game WESTERN N.M. Oct. 26  
  • Bailiff was the head coach at Texas State University from 2004-06 and at Rice University from 2007-17. The Lions’ 2019 season will be Bailiff’s 15th season as a collegiate head coach.
    • As a collegiate head coach, Bailiff has led a team to the NCAA Division I National Semifinals and has made five total postseason appearances with a 5-2 postseason record.
    • The 2005 Texas State Bobcats were Division I National Semifinalists, and Bailiff led the Rice Owls to four bowls with a 3-1 record in those games.
    • Bailiff has led teams to 10-win seasons in three seasons (one at Texas State, two at Rice). Under his watch, the Owls had the most wins in school history over a two (18), three (25), and four (30) year periods. Rice’s 18-9 mark from 2013-14 was the second-best of any FBS program in Texas.

    LION COACHES IN THEIR FIRST SEASON

Year Coach Overall LSC
2019 David Bailiff 5-1 3-0
2013 Colby Carthel 7-5 2-4
2009 Guy Morriss 5-5 5-4
2004 Scotty Conley 4-6 4-5
1999 Eddie Brister 4-7 4-5
1986 Eddie Vowell 2-9 1-5
1964 Ernest Hawkins 2-7 1-5
1954 J.V. Sikes 6-3-1 5-0-1
1951 M.A. “Catfish” Smith 9-2 5-0
1946 Bob Berry 2nd Stint 5-2-2 3-1-1
1942 Dennis Vinzant Only Season 4-3-1 2-0-1
1935 Bob Berry 1st Stint 6-2-1 3-1
1931 J.W. Rollins 3-6  

FAMILIAR FOE
• In addition to the rivalry between A&M-Commerce and Tarleton, this marks the third time David Bailiff and Tarleton head coach Todd Whitten have squared off as head coaches.
• Their paths also crossed numerous times while the pair were assistant coaches, and while Whitten was an assistant coach and Bailiff was the head coach at Rice.
• Both previous occasions were while Bailiff was at Texas State and Whitten was at Sam Houston State.

Year Winner Coach Score
2005 Texas State Bailiff 26-23 (OT)
2006 Texas State Bailiff 28-21

WE’RE GOING STREAKING!
• By qualifying for their fourth straight NCAA Division II Playoff berth in 2018, the Lions have the third-longest active playoff streak in the nation.
• Only Northwest Missouri State (15 straight) and Ferris State (five straight) have longer active playoff streaks than A&M-Commerce.
• In Lone Star Conference history, only A&M-Kingsville (1992-98, 7 straight) has a streak of more than four appearances.
• The Lions have also advanced to the regional semifinal round for three consecutive seasons. National runner-up Ferris State has reached the regional semifinal four times in a row.

LIONS CONTINUE RANKINGS RUN
• The Lions stayed at No. 20 nationally in the 2019 American Football Coaches Association Division II Coaches’ Poll released Monday.
• A&M-Commerce has been ranked in 59 consecutive AFCA polls, dating back to the 2015 preseason poll.
• This is A&M-Commerce’s 65th all-time appearance in the AFCA poll since its inception in 2000.
• In the polls recognized by Division II as the top rating system, the Lions have been recognized as a nationally ranked team 114 times since joining Division II in 1981.

NO SMALLS FEAT
• Quarterback Miklo Smalls has established himself as one of the most accurate efficient passers in the LSC and Division II.
• In five eligible games, Smalls has won the LSC Offensive Player of the Week award twice.
• Last week against Midwestern State, Smalls completed 70.3 percent of his passes in the game with five touchdown passes and 186 yards through the air. He also had 24 rushing yards.
• He completed passes to nine different receivers, and all five touchdowns were caught by different receivers.
• He now has a 12:1 touchdown to interception ratio in conference play
• He also won Lone Star Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors for his game against Eastern New Mexico, completing 13-of-15 passes for 243 yards with four touchdowns and one interception.
• His passing efficiency rating of 297.413 in that game is the second-best single-game performance by a quarterback in Division II this season.
•His 86.7 completion percentage in the game is seventh-best in the nation this year of passers with 15 or more attempts in a game.
•His 72.3 percent (94-of-130) completion percentage for the season ranks fifth in Division II.

PEREZ ASSIGNED TO XFL’S LA WILDCATS
• In other quarterback news, 2017 National Champion and Harlon Hill winner Luis Perez was assigned to the LA Wildcats in the XFL’s draft process on Tuesday.
• The former Lion has spent time with the LA Rams, Philadelphia Eagles, and Detroit Lions in the NFL, and the Birmingham Iron of the Alliance of American Football since leaving A&M-Commerce.
• In 28 career games (25-3) at TAMUC, Perez finished as the all-time leader in completions (665), passing yards (8,325) and passing TDs (78).
• In 2017, Perez set the single-season program records for pass attempts (596), pass completions (421), pass yards (4,999), passing touchdowns (46) and completion percentage (70.6).

RAMSEY IS ELECTRIC
• Junior return specialist Dominique Ramsey had a spectacular performance in the Midwestern State game, dazzling the national TV audience and earning A&M-Commerce’s Under Armour Student-Athlete of the Week award.
• He is a double major student-athlete in mathematics and electrical engineering.
• He recorded 150 all-purpose yards, including a highlight-reel 65-yard kickoff return to open the game and set the Lions’ first score up on a short field. He also dazzled on two scintillating punt returns.
•The Lions scored within five plays after each of his kick and punt returns.
• All told, Ramsey had 65 kick return yards, 48 punt return yards, 14 interception yards, 15 rushing yards, and 8 receiving yards.
• He had two interceptions in the game, including a key snag in the end zone near the end of the first half to snuff out an MSU scoring threat which would have narrowed the deficit in a key spot. He also had an interception to help seal the game in the fourth quarter. He also made five key tackles in open space on the perimeter to limit MSU yards after the line of scrimmage.
• Earlier this season, his 55-yard punt return for a touchdown in the ENMU game earned him Lone Star Conference Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
• He became the first player in the Lone Star Conference to return a punt for a touchdown this season.
• He averaged 35 yards per punt return in the ENMU game and ranks second in the LSC in both punt and kickoff return average.
• He now has five career returns for touchdowns:

Date Type Opponent Yards
9/21/19 Punt EASTERN N.M. 55
11/17/18 Punt at Minnesota Duluth 79
11/10/18 INT ANGELO ST. 99
10/27/18 INT WEST TEXAS A&M 84
9/22/18 Punt COLORADO ST.-PUEBLO 72
  • He currently ranks second in the LSC and fourth nationally in punt return average at 16.1 yards per return.
    • He also ranks first in the LSC and eighth nationally in kickoff return average at 30.4 yards per return.
    • He is one of four players in the LSC with multiple interceptions in the same game this year.

    NEEMA LEADS THE WAY
    • Senior linebacker Neema Behbahani has been one of the most consistent players on defense in his four years with the Lions, and he is the team’s leader in total tackles over the course of his career.
    • The Plano Senior high product is the team’s career leader in total tackles, solo tackles, assisted tackles, and tackles for loss.
    •With his next tackle, Behbahani will reach the 200 total tackle mark for his career.

    SHILLOW GETS STOPS
    • Redshirt junior safety Alex Shillow has led the team in tackles in two games and ranks in the top 20 in the LSC in tackles per game at 6.2 stops per contest.
    • The NCAA Division II National SAAC Chair recovered a fumble on kickoff coverage in the first half of the ENMU game and the Midwestern State game to set up Lion scores in each situation.
    • He returned a blocked PAT for two points in the late stages of the second quarter at A&M-Kingsville.
    • His 147 career tackles rank third on the team behind
    Behbahani and Mark Westbrook.
    • Westbrook has 152 career stops from various linebacker and safety positions over the years.
    • Westbrook reached the 100 career solo tackle mark at A&M-Kingsville.
    • Westbrook also recovered a fumbled punt in the endzone at CSU-Pueblo.

    APPROACHING CAREER TACKLE MILESTONE
    • A number of Lions are nearing the century mark in career tackles from a variety of positions.

Player Year Position Tackles
Pierre Leonard Sr. DT 96
Dominique Ramsey Jr. DB 93
Jalon Edwards-Cooper R-Sr. DB 92
Peyton Searcy R-Sr. DT 88

JAKE IS THIS YEAR’S MR. AUTOMATIC
• Junior kicker Jake Viquez extended his career-long in field goals with a 44-yarder at CSU-Pueblo.
• For the season, he is 7-of-8 on field-goal attempts and a perfect 22-of-22 on PAT attempts.
• His 8.6 kicking points per game lead the LSC.
• Including the career of Lion Legend Kristov Martinez, the Lions have now made an NCAA Division II-record 125 consecutive PATs, dating back to the Eastern New Mexico game in 2017.
• This record only counts kicked PATs with successful snaps and holds. No two-point attempts – including failed snaps – are counted in this record.
• The previous record lasted 36 years, when Liberty made 123 PATs from 1976 through September 1983. 

IF YOU HAVE TO PUNT, MAKE IT AWESOME
• Junior punter Andrew Gomez ranks first in the LSC and ninth in the nation in punt average at 43.3 yards per boot.
• The Lion coverage has been excellent as well, as TAMUC leads the LSC and ranks 14th in the nation in net punting at 38.5 yards per punt.
• The Lions also lead the league in punt return defense at 5.83 yards per return.

CROSSROADS OF URBAN AND RURAL
• The Lions’ roster has quite the mix of products from Texas’ largest and smallest football-playing schools.
• A&M-Commerce is proud of its roots in rural in East Texas, as well as being a vital part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
• The Lions’ numbered roster (non-redshirting players) has 37 players who went to Class 6A high schools with 2,190 or more students in grades 9-12.
• Some of the largest schools in the state are represented:

School Largest Students Player
Plano East 3rd 5,342.5 Miklo Smalls
Plano 4th 5,197.5 Neema Behbahani
Lewisville 7th 4,564 Jackson Richmond
Alief Elsik 11th 4,283 Solomon Ndukwe
  • Three Lions competed in 2A-Division II, which is the smallest division of 11-man football in the state.
School Largest Smallest Students <

No. 25 Lions blast St. Mary’s for the straight-set win.

Next Match:

Texas Woman’s

Friday (Oct 18) | 6:00 pm

COMMERCE– The No. 25 Texas A&M University-Commerce volleyball team defeated St. Mary’s in straight sets on Tuesday night. The set scores were 25-18, 25-16, and 25-15. 

The win brings the Lions to 14-4 on the season, while St. Mary’s falls to 8-9 on the year. 

The Lions return to divisional play on Friday as they host Texas Woman’s University. The match will be at 6:00 pm at the Field House. The Lions will then host Midwestern State on Saturday at 4:00 pm. 

Tickets to Lion Volleyball home matches can be purchased by visiting WeAreLionsTix.com, by calling (903) 468-8756, or by visiting the Lion Sales & Service Box Office inside the Field House during business hours. 

HEAD COACH CRAIG CASE AFTER THE MATCH

Burch’s 3-under highlights Lion men’s eighth-place finish at MSU Invitational.

WICHITA FALLS – The Texas A&M University-Commerce men’s golf team finished in eighth place at the Midwestern State Invitational on Tuesday to wrap up the third event of the fall campaign. 

The Lions shot a 7-over par 291 on the par-71 layout at Wichita Falls Country Club to complete the event at 879 (294-294-291, +27).

“We had a significantly new lineup this week with senior Tyler McDonough and freshman Chance Mulligan making their fall debut. Zach Burch had an excellent round with two bogeys in two holes, which was then followed up with 5-under on his remaining 16 holes,” said head coach Lauren Mason. “We will continue to grind and work on strengthening our weaknesses ahead of traveling to Duncan, Okla., for our last event of the fall season. Our team is developing in the right direction, and our best competitive rounds are ahead of us.” 

Zach Burch (Lubbock – Cooper) rebounded with a strong performance in the final day of action to place 15th on the leaderboard. He shot a 3-under par 68 in the third round with six birdies, including a string of three straight birdies, which comprised a run of five birdies in seven holes. He finished the event at 216 (71-77-68, +3). 

Freshman Simon Haas (Lorch, Germany) carded three birdies Tuesday on the way to a 2-over par 73 on the day. He completed the event in 32nd place at 220 (77-70-73, +7). 

Chance Mulligan (Dallas – Bishop Dunne) and Alex Welch (Clear Springs) tied for 49th on the leaderboard at 223 (+10). Welch had three birdies on the way to a 4-over par 75 Tuesday, while Mulligan carded two birdies on the way to a 7-over par 78. Tyler McDonough (Horseshoe Bay – Llano) placed 79th at 235 (78-82-75) with a pair of birdies in the final round. 

The Lions wrap up their fall campaign next Monday and Tuesday, as they will travel to Cameron’s Jerry Hrncair Invitational at The Territory Golf Club in Duncan, Okla.

Dominique Ramsey named Under Armour Student-Athlete of the Week.

COMMERCE– Texas A&M University-Commerce defensive back/return specialist Dominique Ramsey has been named the Under Armour Student-Athlete of the Week by Lion Athletics. 

Ramsey– a redshirt junior from Converse (Judson)– was electric on defense and special teams for the No. 20 Lions in a 54-28 win over Midwestern State in the NCAA Division II National Showcase game. He recorded 150 all-purpose yards, including a highlight-reel 65-yard kickoff return to open the game and set the Lions’ first score up on a short field. He also dazzled on two scintillating punt returns. The Lions scored within five plays after each of his kick and punt returns. All told, Ramsey had 65 kick return yards, 48 punt return yards, 14 interception yards, 15 rushing yards, and eight receiving yards.

He had two interceptions in the game, including a key snag in the end zone near the end of the first half to snuff out an MSU scoring threat, which would have narrowed the deficit in a key spot. He also had an interception to help seal the game in the fourth quarter. He also made five key tackles in open space on the perimeter to limit MSU yards after the line of scrimmage. 

The Under Armour Student-Athlete of the Week will be awarded by Lion Athletics each week during the academic year.

2019-20 UNDER ARMOUR STUDENT-ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

Sept. 10 – Timon Kemboi, Men’s Cross Country

Sept. 17 – E.J. Thompson, Football

Sept. 24 – Cora Welch, Soccer

Oct. 1 – Sydney Andersen, Volleyball

Oct. 8 – Brandi Stalder, Women’s Cross Country

Oct. 15 – Dominique Ramsey, Football 

Wheeler Family makes record capital gift to Lion Athletics.

COMMERCE – Texas A&M University-Commerce is proud to announce the commitment of the most significant single capital gift in Lion Athletics history, as the Scott Wheeler family has made a leadership gift to the Lion Football locker room expansion and renovation project. The gift commitment celebration with a ceremony occurred before the Lions’ game vs. Midwestern State last Saturday.  

The gift has kick-started donations to the 7,800 square-foot expansion to the existing Lion Football locker room. A combination of Elevated donor support, athletics corporate partnership increases, and other revenues funded the project, and not utilized is state dollars or institutional academic funding.

The son of two Texas A&M University-Commerce professors, formerly East Texas State University, Scott Wheeler’s passion for his alma mater, was kindled from a very young age. Wheeler graduated in 1980, majored in psychology, minored in radio/television, and went on to earn his Master of Business Administration degree from Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business. 

“It was a pleasure to be asked to make this commitment,” Wheeler said during his remarks at Saturday’s ceremony. “Just talking about Best in Class and student success is not enough. It was an opportunity to step up and support one of the most visible aspects of our university, our championship football program, and all of the special student-athletes that represent our institution.” 

Until recently, Wheeler served as the president of Daseke Inc., the largest flatbed freight logistics provider in North America, serving major industrial producers in 49 U.S. States, Canada, and Mexico. Before that, he served as CFO at OneSource Virtual and helped start what became one of the fastest-growing technology-enabled services companies in the country. He was selected as CFO of the Year for the Middle Market by the Dallas Business Journal in 2015 and was a member of the Public Company Board of Directors of the Year in 2017.  

Wheeler served as Mayor of Addison, Texas, from 1999 to 2005. He currently serves on the Board of EVO Transportation and also served on the Dallas Central Appraisal District Board of Directors from 2006 to 2008, as well as on the Board of Directors for Compass Bank Dallas from 1994 to 2008. There is a bridge in Addison, Texas, named in his honor. 

Scott and Kathryn Wheeler live in Addison (Dallas area) with their two daughters, Whitney and Kelley.

“During my time at Texas A&M University-Commerce, Scott and Kathryn Wheeler have reinforced to me numerous times what Lion Pride really means,” said A&M-Commerce President Dr. Mark Rudin. “With this gift commitment, they send a strong message about their belief in student success and the role intercollegiate athletics plays on our campus. We are extremely grateful for their philanthropic leadership.” 

The upgrades and expansion to the Lion Football locker room will provide a modern entry lobby to welcome guests and recruits, an expanded locker room space, which allows for functionality and comprehensive team needs. It also adds permanent sports medicine and equipment spaces within the confines of the existing locker room. A total of 120 new, state-of-the-art player lockers are being constructed featuring custom graphics, illuminated nameplates, enhanced seating, electrical outlets, and charging ports. The modernization of the locker room space also includes new flooring, custom wall graphics, fresh paint, and modern lighting. 

“Our football MVP this past weekend did not make a single tackle or score a touchdown, but he and his family are making an extreme impact off the field,” said A&M-Commerce Director of Athletics Tim McMurray. “For the Wheelers to make a leadership commitment to our Lion Football Locker Room Expansion Project is transformational. We appreciate the generosity of Scott, Kathryn, Whitney, and Kelley, and we expect this to be a catalyst for other Lion constituents to step forward in support of student-athlete success. Our vision is bold, but the Wheelers’ unwavering resolve matches it to a championship culture, and we appreciate their investment with impact.”  

Following the celebration of the commitment, which was attended by the Lion Football team just before warmups, the Lions went on to defeat Midwestern State by a 54-28 score in front of a huge home crowd and national television audience on ESPN3 as the NCAA Division II National Showcase game. The Lions are now 5-1 overall and 3-0 in the Lone Star Conference and prime contention for the LSC championship race and the NCAA Division II playoffs. 

“We thank the Wheeler Family for this donation from the bottom of our hearts,” said Lion Football head coach David Bailiff. “This donation will not only help these young men but also Lion Football players for generations to come. We know this isn’t possible without the support of your family and this important decision.”

For more information on making a gift to support our Best in Class football student-athletes and be a part of this project, please call Associate Athletics Director Taylor Phelps at (903) 886-5554 or taylor.phelps@tamuc.edu.

 

Bina Njikam and Celeste Vela named LSC Players of the Week.

RICHARDSON– Texas A&M University-Commerce volleyball players Bina Njikam and Celeste Vela have been named Lone Star Conference Players of the Week, as announced by the conference office on Tuesday. Njikam was named Offensive Player of the Week while Vela was named Setter of the Week. It is both players’ first time earning this distinction this season. 

Njikam– a senior from Keller– was a Swiss Army knife for the Lion offense last week, hitting from all three positions at various times for A&M-Commerce in their two road victories. She tallied 34 kills over the weekend as well as eight blocks, averaging nearly six points per set while hitting an efficient .364, mainly as an outside hitter. Njikam totaled 11 kills in the team’s sweep of Cameron, hitting .375 while also adding five blocks. She then had a career-hitting day against UAFS, totaling a career-high 23 kills to go with three blocks while hitting .357 against the previously unbeaten in LSC play UAFS team. In both matches, Njikam was moved around the court, hitting from both outside hitter positions as well as playing middle blocker at times. It is the first Player of the Week award of her career. 

Vela– a sophomore from Guadalajara, Mexico– led the Lion attack that averaged 16.6 kills per set last week. She ran the Lions’ 6-2 offense nearly to perfection, averaging an impressive 9.3 assists per set while guiding the team to a .257 hitting percentage. The Lions had 17 or more kills in five of their seven sets on the weekend. Vela had 27 assists in the team’s sweep of Cameron, guiding the team to a .438 hitting percentage while averaging nine assists per set. She then had a career-day against UAFS, totaling a career-high 38 assists (9.5 assists per set), guiding the Lions to the road victory. Vela also was a force to be reckoned with as a server, recording four aces while also chipping in 16 digs and a block. It is the third LSC Setter of the Week award of her career. 

Njikam, Vela, and the No. 25 Lions return to action tonight as they face St. Mary’s in a non-conference match. The match will be at 6:00 pm at the Field House. The Lions will then host divisional foes Texas Woman’s on Friday at 6:00 pm and Midwestern State on Saturday at 4:00 pm. 

Tickets to Lion Volleyball home matches can be purchased by visiting WeAreLionsTix.com, by calling (903) 468-8756, or by visiting the Lion Sales & Service Box Office inside the Field House during business hours.

2019 LONE STAR CONFERENCE VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Offensive

Sept. 10     Shelley Chapron, A&M-Commerce

Sept. 17 Lauren Kersey, Tarleton State

Sept. 23 Tatyana Tuialii-Umi, Tarleton State

Oct. 1 Selena Batiste, West Texas A&M

Oct. 8 Sundara Chinn, Angelo State

Oct. 15    Bina Njikam, A&M-Commerce

 

Defensive

Sept. 10 Sofia Tonga, Tarleton State

Sept. 17 Keely Hardin, DBU

Sept. 23 Makenna Hanssen, Angelo State

Oct. 1 Chandler Vogel, West Texas A&M

Oct. 8 Makenna Hanssen, Angelo State (2)

Oct. 15 Sofia Tonga, Tarleton State (2)

 

Setter

Sept. 10 Kayla Brannon, Tarleton State

Sept. 17 Strealy Sizelove, DBU

Sept. 23 Amari Franklin, Tarleton State

Oct. 1 Lindsey Ledyard, Angelo State

Oct. 8 Meghan Parker, Angelo State

Oct. 15    Celeste Vela, A&M-Commerce 

The Freshmen lead Lions after 36 holes at MSU Invitational

WICHITA FALLS – The Texas A&M University-Commerce men’s golf team is in eighth place after 36 holes at the Midwestern State Invitational, led by a freshman seeing his first collegiate action. 

The Lions shot 588 (294-294, +20) in Monday’s action, and the matching totals allowed them to move up one spot in the team standings from the first round to the second round. 

Chance Mulligan (Dallas – Bishop Dunne) made his collegiate debut and is in 23rd place at 145 (70-75, +3). He had four birdies in the first round and three birdies in the second round to open his career in style. 

Another freshman in Simon Haas (Lorch, Germany) has the Lions’ second-best score at 147 (77-70, +5) in 31st place. After carding one birdie in his first round, he notched three birdies in the second round. 

Zach Burch (Lubbock – Cooper) and Alex Welch (Clear Springs) tied for 33rd at 148 (+6). Burch had three birdies in each round, and Welch had four birdies in the second round. Tyler McDonough (Horseshoe Bay – Llano) is in 83rd place at 160. 

The tournament wraps up Tuesday with a shotgun start at 8:30 am.
Rank Team Scores Total Par
1. Midwestern State 282 278 560 -8
2. Colorado School of Mines 283 279 562 -6
3. Midland CC 279 286 565 -3
4. Cameron 281 286 567 -1
5. Western New Mexico 290 284 574 +6
6. Dixie State 290 292 582 +14
7. West Texas A&M 286 301 587 +19
8. Tex. A&M-Commerce 294 294 588 +20
9. UT Tyler 291 298 589 +21
10. Arkansas-Fort Smith 296 298 594 +26
11. Dallas Baptist 302 296 598 +30
12. Regis 302 297 599 +31
UT Permian Basin 299 300 599 +31
14. Lubbock Christian 309 296 605 +37
15. Dodge City CC 305 305 610 +42
16. Midwestern State B 307 311 618 +50
17. Northwestern Oklahoma State 312 309 621 +53

 

Tex. A&M-Commerce 294 294 588 +20 8th
Chance Mulligan 70 75 145 +3 t-23rd
Simon Haas 77 70 147 +5 t-31st
Zach Burch 71 77 148 +6 t-33rd
Alex Welch 76 72 148 +6 t-33rd
Tyler McDonough 78 82 160 +18 t-83rd

Lion Volleyball jumps back into AVCA National Rankings heading into the four-match homestand.

LEXINGTON, Ky.– The Texas A&M University-Commerce volleyball team is the No. 25 ranked team in this week’s American Volleyball Coaches Association coaches’ poll, as announced Monday. After falling out of the poll last week, the Lions jumped back in following two Lone Star Conference road wins. The AVCA poll has ranked the Lions in 18 of the previous 19. 

The Lions are coming off of an undefeated road weekend, defeating divisional foes Cameron and Arkansas-Fort Smith. The Lion offense hit .257 during the week, averaging more than 16.5 kills per set. They swept Cameron on Friday, setting a season-best hitting percentage at .438. The team then defeated UAFS, who was previously unbeaten in LSC play. The Lions won two sets in extra points in their four-set win. A&M-Commerce is currently 13-4 on the season, including 4-0 in their division and 7-1 in conference play. 

Six of the Lions’ 2019 opponents are either nationally ranked or receiving votes in this week’s poll. Central Missouri ranks ninth, while Regis is ranked 15th, Angelo State is ranked 18th, and Tarleton is ranked 23rd. Tampa and West Florida are also receiving votes. 

The Lions return home for a four-game slate, including three matches this week at the Field House. A&M-Commerce will first host St. Mary’s on Tuesday at 6:00 pm in a non-conference match. The Lions will then host divisional foes Texas Woman’s on Friday at 6:00 pm and Midwestern State on Saturday at 4:00 pm. 

Tickets to Lion Volleyball home matches can be purchased by visiting WeAreLionsTix.com, by calling (903) 468-8756, or by visiting the Lion Sales & Service Box Office inside the Field House during business hours.

2019 AVCA Division II Top-25 Coaches Poll – Oct. 14 (Week 6)
Rk. School (1st Place) Pts. Record Prev.
1 Cal State San Bernardino (44) 1148 16-0 1
2 Western Washington (2) 1091 16-0 2
3 Nebraska-Kearney 1062 16-0 3
4 Washburn 981 15-1 5
5 Concordia – St. Paul 932 13-3 7
6 Northern State 922 14-2 8
7 Minnesota Duluth 903 14-2 4
8 St. Cloud State 742 14-2 11
9 Central Missouri 651 12-5 13
10 Lewis 639 16-3 6
11 Wayne State 630 15-2 15
12 Southwest Minnesota State 581 11-5 9
13 Ferris State 564 14-3 14
14 NW Missouri State 539 13-3 10
15 Regis 488 14-3 16
16 Hillsdale 448 14-2 17
17 Rockhurst 415 16-4 12
18 Angelo State 373 17-1 21
19 Upper Iowa 342 12-4 18
20 Winona State 321 13-3 19
21 Wheeling 292 16-3 20
22 Wingate 181 18-0 23
23 Tarleton 111 11-6 22
24 Michigan Tech 101 13-4 NR
25 A&M-COMMERCE 81 13-4 NR

Others receiving votes: Cal State L. A. 53; Azusa Pacific 50; Chaminade 41; Barry 32; Sioux Falls 30; Central Washington 18; Colorado School of Mines 16; Central Oklahoma 14; Minnesota State 14; Indianapolis 13; Missouri-St Louis 13; MSU Denver 13; Tampa 12; Alaska-Anchorage 7; West Florida 7; South Carolina-Aiken 5;

Lions ranked No. 20 in AFCA poll headed into the heavyweight weekend.

WACO– The Texas A&M University-Commerce football team is ranked No. 20 in this week’s American Football Coaches Association Division II Coaches’ Poll, as announced by the AFCA on Monday. 

The Lions are coming off of a 54-28 home win over rival Midwestern State last week. The Lions gained 501 yards of total offense, scoring a series-high 54 points against the Mustangs. Miklo Smalls (Plano – East Senior) threw for 186 yards and five touchdowns, all to different receivers. For his efforts, he was named the Lone Star Conference Offensive Player of the Week. Running back Antonio Lealiiee (Copperas Cove) also had a big day, rushing for 169 yards and a receiving touchdown. Safety Dominique Ramsey (Converse – Judson) had a pair of interceptions to lead the Lion defense, who had three takeaways in the game. 

Five A&M-Commerce opponents in 2019 are ranked in the top 25 or receiving votes. Tarleton held at No. 4 in the nation, while CSU-Pueblo jumped to No. 15 this week. Angelo State also reentered the top 25 rankings, sitting at No. 25. West Texas A&M and Eastern New Mexico are also receiving votes in the poll. 

A&M-Commerce has been ranked in 59 consecutive AFCA polls, dating back to the 2015 preseason poll. It is A&M-Commerce’s 65th all-time appearance in the AFCA poll since its inception in 2000. In the polls recognized by Division II as the top rating system, the Lions have been recognized as a nationally ranked team 114 times since joining Division II in 1981.

2019 American Football Coaches Association Division II Coaches’ Poll (Oct. 14, 2019)

Rk.  School (1st votes) Rec. Pts. Prev.
1 Valdosta St. (Ga.) (30) 6-0 797 1
2 Ferris St. (Mich.) (1) 6-0 758 2
3 Minnesota St. 6-0 725 3
4 Tarleton (Texas) (1) 6-0 710 4
5 Ouachita Baptist (Ark.) 6-0 635 5t
6 Notre Dame (Ohio) 6-0 621 5t
7 Northwest Missouri St. 6-0 611 7
8 Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.) 6-0 586 8
9 Slippery Rock (Pa.) 6-0 535 9
10 Indianapolis (Ind.) 6-0 526 10
11 Colorado School of Mines 6-0 496 11
12 West Chester (Pa.) 6-0 427 12
13 Wingate (N.C.) 6-0 408 14
14 Central Missouri 6-0 386 15
15 Colorado St.-Pueblo 5-1 323 17
16 Bowie St. (Md.) 6-0 270 18
17 Grand Valley St. (Mich.) 5-1 247 19
18 Kutztown (Pa.) 6-0 231 21
19 Pittsburg St. (Kan.) 5-1 223 13
20 A&M-COMMERCE 4-1 218 20
21 Harding (Ark.) 5-1 188 22
22 Indiana (Pa.) 5-1 149 16
23 Minnesota-Duluth 5-1 136 23
24 West Florida 4-1 76 25
25 Angelo St. (Texas) 5-1 37 NR

Others Receiving Votes: Virginia Union, 21; Ashland (Ohio), 18; Henderson St. (Ark.), 11; West Texas A&M, 11; Dixie St. (Utah), 9; Carson-Newman (Tenn.), 3; East Stroudsburg (Pa.), 2; Missouri S&T, 2; Missouri Western St., 2; Eastern New Mexico, 1; Virginia St., 1.

 

The Lions are next heading out on the road for a heavyweight game against No. 4 Tarleton on Saturday. The game will be played at 6:00 pm at Memorial Stadium in Stephenville.

Miklo Smalls named LSC Offensive Player of the Week for a second time.

RICHARDSON– Texas A&M University-Commerce quarterback Miklo Smalls has been named the Lone Star Conference Offensive Player of the Week, as announced Monday. It is the second time this season Smalls has received the distinction. 

Smalls– a redshirt sophomore from Plano (East Senior)– led the No. 20 Lions’ offense in a 54-28 victory over Midwestern State in the NCAA Division II National Showcase game on Saturday. He completed 70.3 percent of his passes in the game with five touchdown passes and 186 yards through the air. Smalls also had 24 rushing yards. He completed passes to nine different receivers, and different receivers caught all five touchdowns. He now has a 12:1 touchdown to interception ratio in conference play and ranks fifth in Division II in completion percentage. 

Smalls and the No. 20 Lions return to action on Saturday in a nationally ranked road showdown against No. 4 Tarleton. The game will be at 6:00 pm at Memorial Stadium in Stephenville.

 

 

 

Josh Manck

Associate Athletics Director for Marketing and Communications | Texas A&M University-Commerce

Committed to a “Best in Class” student-athlete experience

Office: 903.886.5131 Mobile: 817.487.5136

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 3011 | Commerce, TX 75429

Physical Address: 2600 Neal Street, Commerce, TX 75429

Connect with us on our Lions’ Den Social Stream.

 

Marcus Jensen

Director of Athletic Communications | Texas A&M University-Commerce

Office: 903.468.3027 | Mobile: 801.624.8529

Follow us: @Lion_Athletics | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram | LionAthletics.com

Committed to a “Best in Class” experience for all.