Texas A&M-Commerce to face Nicholls for homecoming
Oct. 21—Texas A&M University-Commerce will try to extend its homecoming victory streak when the Lions face Nicholls State in Southland Conference football on Saturday.
The opening kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at Ernest Hawkins Field at Memorial Stadium. KETR-FM (88.9) will broadcast the game.
A&M-Commerce is 60-35-1 on homecoming and has won its last eight homecoming games dating back to a 25-20 loss to Angelo State on Nov. 2, 2013.
The Lions dominated Houston Christian 31-3 in last year's homecoming, including an advantage of 375-203 in total yards and 22-11 in first downs. The Lions intercepted two passes, as Michael Noble returned one of the picks 32 yards for a touchdown. They also forced 10 Houston Christian punts.
A&M-Commerce is 1-5 for the 2023 season and 1-1 in Southland Conference play. The Lions whipped McNeese 41-10 in the conference opener at home on Oct. 7 and then lost 28-11 at No. 6 ranked Incarnate Word last week in San Antonio.
A&M-Commerce trailed only 14-11 in the fourth quarter before the Cardinals put the game away with a 71-yard interception return by Ronald Wilson and a 14-yard run by Jarrell Wiley.
The Lions scored on a 35-yard field goal by Emmanuel Adagbon and 40-yard interception return by Javotrick Dotrey. Keith Miller III also caught a pass for a two-point conversion.
Incarnate Word outgained the Lions 458-213 in total offense as Cardinal quarterback Zach Calzada went 27-of-42 passing for 300 yards and two TDs.
Lion quarterback Josh Magana was 15-of-33 for 163 yards but two interceptions.
Ra'veion Hargrove ran for a team-high 35 yards on 10 carries.
Magana was sacked three times as the Lions wound up with just 50 yards rushing.
Nicholls State, located in Thidodaux, Louisiana, is 2-3 for the season and 2-0 in Southland Conference play including wins of 31-10 over McNeese and 38-7 on homecoming over Huston Christian.
The Colonels lost to three tough teams in non-conference play: Sacramento State (38-24), TCU (41-6) and Tulane (37-6).
Their last game on Oct. 14 against Northwestern State was called off due to the death of Ronnie Caldwell, a junior safety on the Northwestern team.
Nicholls State ranks fifth in the Southland in scoring offense (21.2 points per game), third in fewest points allowed per game (26.4), fifth in total offense (325 ypg) and fourth in total defense (375.2 ypg).
The Lions rank sixth in scoring offense (17.3 ppg), fifth in fewest points allowed per game (31.0), sixth in total offense (299 ypg) and seventh in total defense (444.7 ypg).
Nicholls State quarterback Pat McQuaid ranks second in the conference in passing yards per game (194). He's 88-of-153 for 970 yards, fourth TDs and seven interceptions.
Magana ranks seventh for the Lions. He's 60-of-104 passing for 749 yards, seven TDs and three interceptions.
Colin Guggenheim of Micholls State ranks second in the conference in rushing yards per game (67)) and teammate Jaylon Spears is eighth (45.2).
Reggie Branch of A&M-Commerce ranks third (62.3) though he's missed a couple of games with an injury.
Neno Lemay leads Nicholls State in receiving with 25 catches for 268 yards and two TDs.
The two teams have only played once. Nicholls State won 12-10 last year in Thidodaux. The Colonels scored the game-winning points on a safety with 8:31 remaining.
A&M-Commerce reached the Colonels' 23 on a late drive but got backed up by a penalty and a sack and missed a 47-yard field goal.
They also moved from their 16 to the Colonels' 38 before running out of time.
