Wikipedia

2017 Texas A&M–Commerce Lions football team

The 2017 Texas A&M–Commerce Lions football team represented Texas A&M University–Commerce in the 2017 NCAA Division II football season. They were led by head coach Colby Carthel, who was in his fifth season at Texas A&M-Commerce. The Lions played their home games at Memorial Stadium and were members of the Lone Star Conference. The Lions won the NCAA Division II Football Championship. Quarterback Luis Perez also won the Harlon Hill Trophy.[1]

2017 Texas A&M–Commerce Lions football
NCAA Division II champion
ConferenceLone Star Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 1
Record14–1 (7–1 LSC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorMatt Storm (5th season)
Co-offensive coordinatorJared May (5th season)
Offensive schemeSpread
Defensive coordinatorJustin Deason (5th season)
Base defense3–4
Home stadiumMemorial Stadium
Seasons
← 2016
2018 →
2017 Lone Star Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 11 Midwestern State $^   8 – 0     10 – 1  
No. 1 Texas A&M–Commerce ^   7 – 1     14 – 1  
Eastern New Mexico   6 – 2     8 – 2  
Tarleton State #   4 – 4     6 – 6  
Angelo State #   4 – 4     6 – 5  
Western New Mexico   3 – 5     4 – 7  
Texas A&M–Kingsville   2 – 6     4 – 7  
West Texas A&M   1 – 7     3 – 8  
UT Permian Basin   1 – 7     2 – 9  
Rankings from AFCA poll

Preseason

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LSC media poll

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LSC media poll
Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1 Texas A&M–Commerce 229 (21)
2 Midwestern State 192 (2)
3 Texas A&M–Kingsville 177 (1)
4 Eastern New Mexico 136
5 Tarleton State 135 (1)
6 Angelo State 114
7 West Texas A&M 97
T8 Western New Mexico 45
UT Permian Basin 45 (1)
Source: [2]

Schedule

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Texas A&M–Commerce announced its 2017 football schedule on December 12, 2016. The schedule consisted of five home and away games in the regular season. The Lions hosted LSC foes Angelo State, Eastern New Mexico, UT Permian Basin, and Western New Mexico and traveled to Midwestern State, Tarleton State, Texas A&M–Kingsville, and West Texas A&M[3]

The Lions hosted one of the two non-conference games against William Jewell from the Great Lakes Valley Conference and traveled to North Alabama from the Gulf South Conference.

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 1[a]6:00 p.mat No. 6 North Alabama*No. 5
W 8–76,892
September 96:00 p.mWilliam Jewell*No. 3
W 59–610,108
September 166:00 p.m.Eastern New MexicoNo. 3
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Commerce, TX
W 51–229,233
September 237:00 p.m.at Texas A&M–KingsvilleNo. 3
W 38–74,324
October 77:00 p.m.at No. 10 Midwestern StateNo. 2
L 42–479,201
October 144:00 p.m.Western New Mexico No. 11
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Commerce, TX
W 52–38,675
October 214:00 p.m.Angelo StateNo. 10
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Commerce, TX
W 34–206,214
October 286:00 p.m.at West Texas A&MNo. 9
W 35–163,896
November 44:00 p.m.UT Permian BasinNo. 9
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Commerce, TX
W 52–07,132
November 112:00 p.m.at Tarleton StateNo. 8
W 33–214,231
November 181:00 p.m.at No. 12 Winona State*No. 8
W 20–61,624
November 2512:00 p.m.at No. 7 Central Washington*No. 8
W 34–31 2OT4,226
December 212:00 p.m.at No. 1 Minnesota State*No. 8
W 31–212,803
December 92:30 p.m.Harding*No. 8
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Commerce, TX (National semifinal)
ESPN3W 31–1710,120
December 165:00 p.m.vs. West Florida*No. 8
ESPN2W 37–274,259
  • *Non-conference game
  •  Homecoming
  • Rankings from AFCA Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Central time
  1. ^ Game was originally scheduled for August 31, but was postponed due to Hurricane Harvey.
Schedule Source:[4]

Roster

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2017 Texas A&M–Commerce Football Roster

Quarterbacks

  • 12 Luis Perez – senior (6'3, 220)
  • 14 Gunnar Palacios – freshman (6'0, 190)
  • 16 Gabriel Rodriguez – senior (5'11, 205)
  • 18 Chase Pemberton – senior (6'4, 190)
  • 19 Preston Wheeler –   sophomore (6'3, 200)
  • 29 Jacob Norton – senior (6'6, 225)

Running backs

  • 26 Carandal Hale –   freshman (5'11, 190)
  • 32 Richard Whitaker – senior (5'10, 180)
  • 35 Ovie Urevbu – senior (5'11, 210)
  • 38 E.J. Thompson – freshman (5'9, 200)
  • 46 Antonio Lealli'ie'e –   freshman (5'11, 210)

Wide receivers

  •  2 Marquis Wimberly – junior (6'2, 205)
  •  3 Darrion Landry – junior (6'3, 200)
  •  4 Buck Wilson – senior (6'0, 185)
  •  5 Shawn Hooks – senior (5'8, 165)
  •  7 D'Arthur Cowan – senior (6'3, 185)
  • 11 Chochy Luce – junior (6'1, 200)
  • 13 Calvin Jones – senior (6'0, 185)
  • 80 Derique Ryan – freshman (6'1, 195)
  • 82 Kareem Adeniyi –   freshman (6'5, 215)
  • 83 Kelan Smith –   freshman (6'1, 170)
  • 84 Sadavion Matthews –   freshman (6'0, 185)
  • 85 Chance Cooper – freshman (6'3, 200)
  • 86 Kenneth Adams –   freshman (6'3, 195)
  • 87 D.K. Ward –   freshman (6'2, 190)
  • 88 Lorenzo Rosario – junior (6'3, 200)

Tight ends

  • 15 Vincent Hobbs – junior (6'3, 255)
  • 40 Drake Flores –   freshman (6'3, 240)
  • 45 Corey Smallwood –   freshman (6'3, 215)
  • 81 Austin Jordan – senior (6'5, 225)
  • 96 Justin Barlow – junior (6'7, 245)

Long snapper

  • 63 Addison Medigovich – freshman (6'4, 220)
  

Offensive linemen

  • 53 Christian Hernandez –   freshman (6'1, 265)
  • 56 Jon Aguilar – senior (6'1, 285)
  • 64 Josh McCullough – junior (6'3, 275)
  • 65 Jonah Brown –   sophomore (6'5, 315)
  • 66 Ken Holmes –   sophomore (6'4, 275)
  • 68 Jackson Webb –   freshman (6'0, 270)
  • 69 Kendall Mathis –   freshman (6'3, 300)
  • 70 Abdul Shammaa –   sophomore (6'5, 310)
  • 71 Malik Ellis – junior (6'6, 280)
  • 72 Brian Taylor –   sophomore (6'2, 275)
  • 73 Ryan Peschka –   sophomore (6'2, 290)
  • 74 Jared Machorro – senior (6'7, 280)
  • 75 Lane Hasse –   sophomore (6'7, 280)
  • 76 Amon Smion –   freshman (6'5, 275)
  • 77 Jordan Smith – junior (6'4, 315)
  • 78 Daronte Shaw – junior (6'5, 320)
  • 79 Poet Thomas – senior (6'6, 325)

Defensive linemen

  • 36 Michael Wallace – junior (6'4, 220)
  • 49 D.D. Fletcher –   sophomore (6'1, 270)
  • 51 Josh Reynolds – junior (6'4, 210)
  • 52 Peyton Searcy – junior (6'0, 275)
  • 55 Pierre Leonard – sophomore (5'10, 300)
  • 58 Kieston Carter – senior (5'11, 280)
  • 60 Demondre Lauderdale – sophomore (6'2, 240)
  • 91 Elijah Earls –   freshman (6'0, 240)
  • 92 Jaylon Hodge –   freshman (6'0, 275)
  • 93 Anthony Ameperosa – senior (6'1, 285)
  • 94 Norman Moimoi – junior (6'2, 280)
  • 95 Kade Satterwhite – sophomore (6'4, 250)
  • 97 Devonta Leary – senior (5'11, 240)
  • 98 Deionte Haywood – junior (6'3, 225)
  • 99 Michael Onuoha – junior (6'5, 255)
  

Linebackers

  •  9 Brucks Saathoff – junior (6'0, 215)
  • 28 Mark Westbrook – sophomore (5'11, 195)
  • 31 Jay Bias –   freshman (5'9, 190)
  • 33 Neema Behbahani –   sophomore (6'1, 230)
  • 37 Anthony Smith – senior (6'2, 200)
  • 39 Tristen Slaughter – junior (6'2, 210)
  • 43 Jaquorous Smith –   freshman (5'9, 195)
  • 44 Dayne Douglass – freshman (6'2, 220)
  • 46 Dorian Andrews – freshman (6'2, 200)
  • 48 Travon Blanchard –   senior (6'2, 205)
  • 50 Xavier Morris –   freshman (6'1, 220)
  • 54 Garret Blubaugh –   sophomore (6'2, 230)
  • 57 Brazos Hesskew –   freshman (5'11, 200)

Defensive backs

  •  1 Javon Tillman – junior (6'2, 180)
  •  6 Danny Huckaby – junior (6'1, 180)
  •  8 Trey Porter – senior (5'10, 170)
  • 10 Alex Shillow –   freshman (5'9, 185)
  • 14 Sammy Gray – junior (5'11, 180)
  • 17 Dominiqe Ramsey –   freshman (5'9, 180)
  • 21 Yusef Sterling-Lowe – senior (6'2, 170)
  • 22 Darent White – junior (6'1, 160)
  • 23 Kader Kohou –   freshman (5'9, 190)
  • 24 Chris Smith – junior (6'1, 170)
  • 25 Reggie Kincade – junior (5'11, 170)
  • 27 Jalon Edwards-Cooper –   sophomore (5'11, 175)
  • 34 Isaiah Fields –   freshman (5'8, 170)
  • 41 Rashad Fisher –   freshman (5'10, 180)
  • 42 Kendrick Welsh –   freshman (5'10, 160)
  • 47 Brent Walker – junior (5'11, 165)

Placekickers

  • 59 Jake Viquez –   freshman (5'10, 190)
  • 61 Andrew Gomez – freshman (6'10, 210)
  • 89 Kristov Martinez – junior (5'6, 135)

Punters

  • 37 Tristan Perry – freshman (6'1, 200)
  • 59 Jake Viquez –   freshman (5'10, 190)

Game summaries

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At No. 6 North Alabama

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See also: 2017 North Alabama Lions football team
No. 5 Texas A&M–Commerce Lions at No. 6 North Alabama Lions
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 5 TAMUC Lions 0 0 358
No. 6 UNA Lions 7 0 007

at Braly Municipal Stadium, Florence, AL

  • Date: September 1
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 72 °F (22 °C) • Weather: partly sunny • Wind: W 12 MPH
  • Game attendance: 6,892
  • Referee: Matthew Nicks
  • [1]
Game information

The Lions started the 2017 season on the road against the no. 6 North Alabama Lions from the Gulf South Conference. The game was originally scheduled to be played a day earlier, on August 31, but was postponed due to Hurricane Harvey.

The first half was a defensive battle between the two teams, with only two drives not ending in a punt, both by North Alabama. The first drive was in the first quarter when Dre Hall caught a 20-yard pass from Blake Hawkins to put North Alabama up 7–0 following Chandlr Carrera's kick. The second drive occurred in the second quarter when Carrera missed a 37-yard field goal. Commerce would finally get on the board on its first drive of the second half, with Kristov Martinez making a 30-yard field goal. On North Alabama's following possession, Carrera would miss another field goal, this time from 42 yards. Commerce's next three drives would end with Luis Perez throwing an interception. Commerce would score again with 4:18 left when Blake Hawkins was tackled in his own endzone by Chris Smith, resulting in a safety. On the following drive, Martinez would make a 30-yard field goal to give Commerce a 8–7 lead with 1:12 left. North Alabama attempted a 55-yard field goal on the next drive, this time by Joe Gurley, but the kicked was blocked and recovered by Commerce with 12 seconds remaining in the game.

William Jewell

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William Jewell Cardinals at No. 3 Texas A&M–Commerce Lions
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 0 0 066
No. 3 Lions 21 14 17759

at Memorial Stadium, Commerce, TX

  • Date: September 9
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 83 °F (28 °C) • Weather: clear • Wind: ENE 8 MPH
  • Game attendance: 10,108
  • Referee: Bill Tilley
  • [2]
Game information

Eastern New Mexico

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See also: 2017 Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds football team
Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds at No. 3 Texas A&M–Commerce Lions
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Greyhounds 3 12 7022
No. 3 Lions 13 28 7351

at Memorial Stadium, Commerce, TX

  • Date: September 16
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 89 °F (32 °C) • Weather: clear • Wind: SSE 9 MPH
  • Game attendance: 9,233
  • Referee: Joe Horn
  • [3]
Game information

At Texas A&M–Kingsville

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See also: 2017 Texas A&M–Kingsville Javelinas football team
No. 3 Texas A&M–Commerce Lions at Texas A&M–Javelinas
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 3 Lions 14 7 10738
Javelinas 0 0 707

at Javelina Stadium, Kingsville, TX

  • Date: September 23
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 89 °F (32 °C) • Weather: clear and sunny • Wind: E 18 MPH
  • Game attendance: 4,324
  • Referee: Bryant Thompson
  • [4]
Game information

At No. 10 Midwestern State

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See also: 2017 Midwestern State Mustangs football team
No. 2 Texas A&M–Commerce Lions at No. 10 Midwestern State Mustangs
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 2 Lions 0 14 72142
No. 10 Mustangs 6 21 20047

at Memorial Stadium, Wichita Falls, TX

  • Date: October 7
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 78 °F (26 °C) • Weather: clear • Wind: ESE 2 MPH
  • Game attendance: 9,201
  • Referee: John Belcher
  • [5]
Game information

Western New Mexico

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See also: 2017 Western New Mexico Mustangs football team
Western New Mexico Mustangs at No. 11 Texas A&M–Commerce Lions
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Mustangs 0 3 003
No. 11 Lions 17 0 211452

at Memorial Stadium, Commerce, TX

  • Date: October 14
  • Game time: 4:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 90 °F (32 °C) • Weather: clear • Wind: S 12 MPH
  • Game attendance: 8,675
  • Referee: Wayne Elliott
  • [6]
Game information
 
A&M–Commerce in action against the Western New Mexico Mustangs

Angelo State

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Angelo State Rams at No. 10 Texas A&M–Commerce Lions
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Rams 3 7 7320
No. 10 Lions 7 10 71034

at Memorial Stadium, Commerce, TX

  • Date: October 21
  • Game time: 4:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 80 °F (27 °C) • Weather: cloudy • Wind: S 15 MPH
  • Game attendance: 6,214
  • Referee: Dan Rankin
  • [7]
Game information

At West Texas A&M

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See also: 2017 West Texas A&M Buffaloes football team
No. 9 Texas A&M–Commerce Lions at West Texas A&M Buffaloes
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 9 Lions 21 7 7035
Buffaloes 10 3 0316

at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium, Canyon, TX

  • Date: October 28
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 3,896
  • Referee: Joe Horn
  • [8]
Game information

UT Permian Basin

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See also: 2017 UT Permian Basin Falcons football team
UT Permian Basin Falcons at No. 9 Texas A&M–Commerce Lions
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Falcons 0 0 000
No. 9 Lions 21 14 14352

at Memorial Stadium, Commerce, TX

  • Date: November 4
  • Game time: 4:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 83 °F (28 °C) • Weather: mostly cloudy • Wind: SSW 14 MPH
  • Game attendance: 7,132
  • Referee: Brad Frisby
  • [9]
Game information

At Tarleton State

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See also: 2017 Tarleton State Texans football team
No. 8 Texas A&M–Commerce Lions at Tarleton State Texans
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 8 Lions 17 6 01033
Texans 0 0 71421

at Memorial Stadium, Stephenville, TX

  • Date: November 11
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 64 °F (18 °C) • Weather: cloudy • Wind: S 13 MPH
  • Game attendance: 4,231
  • Referee: John Belcher
  • [10]
Game information

At No. 12 Winona State (Regional Quarterfinal)

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No. 8 Texas A&M–Commerce Lions at No. 12 Winona State Warriors (Regional Quarterfinal)
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 8 Lions 14 0 3320
No. 12 Warriors 0 3 306

at Maxwell Field at Warrior Stadium, Winoa, MN

  • Date: November 18
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 40 °F (4 °C) • Weather: mostly sunny • Wind: NW 11 MPH
  • Game attendance: 1,624
  • Referee: Mike Packard
  • [11]
Game information

At No. 7 Central Washington (Regional semifinal)

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No. 8 Texas A&M–Commerce Lions at No. 7 Central Washington Wildcats (Regional semifinal)
Quarter 1 2 34OT2OTTotal
No. 8 Lions 7 0 7143334
No. 7 Wildcats 14 14 003031

at Tomlinson Stadium, Ellensburg, WA

  • Date: November 25
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 35 °F (2 °C) • Weather: cloudy and damp • Wind: Calm
  • Game attendance: 4,226
  • Referee: Brett Ford
  • [12]
Game information

The Lions traveled to Ellensburg, Washington to face the no. 7 Wildcats in the regional semifinal of the Division II playoffs. Texas A&M–Commerce trailed Eastern Washington 28–7 at halftime, but scored 21 unanswered points in the second half to tie the game. The two teams traded field goals in the first overtime period, with the Lions' Kristov Martinez making a 38-yard field goal in the second overtime period to win the game and advance to the Regional Final.

At No. 1 Minnesota State (Regional Final)

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No. 8 Texas A&M–Commerce Lions at No. 1 Minnesota State Mavericks (Regional Final)
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 8 Lions 10 3 81031
No. 1 Mavericks 7 11 0321

at Blakeslee Stadium, Mankato, MN

  • Date: December 2
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 43 °F (6 °C) • Weather: sunny • Wind: SW 5 MPH
  • Game attendance: 2,803
  • Referee: Dwight Neibling
  • [13]
Game information

Harding (National semifinal)

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Harding Bisons at No. 8 Texas A&M–Commerce Lions (National semifinal)
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bisons 7 0 01017
No. 8 Lions 7 7 31431

at Memorial Stadium, Commerce, TX

  • Date: December 9
  • Game time: 2:30 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 10,120
  • Referee: Brett Ford
  • TV: ESPN3
  • [14]
Game information

Vs. West Florida (NCAA Division II National Championship game)

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Main article: 2017 NCAA Division II Football Championship Game
See also: 2017 West Florida Argonauts football team
West Florida Argonauts vs. No. 8 Texas A&M–Commerce Lions (Division II Championship)
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Argonauts 7 7 6727
No. 8 Lions 14 6 14337

at Children's Mercy Park, Kansas City, KS

  • Date: December 16
  • Game time: 5:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 61 °F (16 °C) • Weather: clear • Wind: S/SE 7 MPH
  • Game attendance: 4,259
  • Referee: Dwight Neibling
  • TV: ESPN2
  • [15]
Game information

Rankings

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See also: 2017 NCAA Division II football rankings
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
Week
PollPre123456789101112Final
AFCA5333221110998881

Statistics

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Scoring

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Scores against non-conference opponents
1 2 3 4OT2OT Total
Opponents 42 35 9 2630 115
Texas A&M–Commerce 73 30 55 5633 220
Scores against the Lone Star Conference
1 2 3 4 Total
Opponents 22 46 48 20 136
Texas A&M–Commerce 110 86 73 68 337
Scores against all opponents
1 2 3 4OT2OT Total
Opponents 64 81 57 4630 251
Texas A&M–Commerce 183 116 128 12433 557

References

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  1. ^ "Texas A&M-Commerce's Luis Perez wins 2017 Harlon Hill Trophy". National Collegiate Athletic Association. December 14, 2017. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  2. ^ "2017 LSC Football Media Guide". August 22, 2017. p. 5. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  3. ^ "A&M-Commerce releases 2017 football schedule and initial ticket information" (Press release). Texas A&M University Commerce Department of Athletics. December 12, 2016. Retrieved September 16, 2017.
  4. ^ "2017 Football Schedule". Texas A&M University–Commerce Athletics. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
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