KINGSVILLE, Texas – Quarterback Luis Perez hit on 24-of-32 passes and threw four touchdowns to lead the Texas A&M-Commerce Lions past the Texas A&M-Kingsville football team, 38-7, at Javelina Stadium on Saturday night in Kingsville, Texas.
The TAMUK defense collapsed the pocket to the tune of five sacks, with Braedon Robinson, Caleb Valentine, Jimmar Davis, Gayln Griffin each collecting one, while Trevor Moses and Will Petit split the fifth.
I thought we gave them a little too much credit in the early going," said coach Daren Wilkinson. "We started out a little timid and the turnovers were also a factor. It was tough to overcome those mistakes."
First Quarter
On the second play of the Lions opening drive, Perez hooked up with Darrion Landry for a 55-yard scoring strike for a 7-0 lead. The Lions started with a short field on their next possession and they moved 30 yards in six plays, Perez hitting D'Arthur Cowan to put Commerce up two scores.
Second Quarter
Early in the quarter, after an interception by Devonte Williams was wiped out by a pass interference penalty, Gabriel Rodriguez powered into the endzone from two yards out, putting the Lions ahead by 21. The Javelinas kept the visitors off the scoreboard for the remainder of the half, but two interceptions by Cade Dyal proved costly and the home team went into the locker room with no points.
Third Quarter
Jarrod Sanders forced a fumble on the Lions first drive of the half and Emond Hobbs covered it on the Lions 33. The Hogs cashed in on the turnover, Dyal hitting Nico Brown with a four-yard touchdown pass to get on the board, 21-7. A&M-Commerce responded quickly though – a minute and 17 seconds later to be exact – after Perez and Cowan connected again for a 51-yard TD that gave the Lions back their 21-point edge. Both teams traded punts before the Lions kicked a 44-yard field goal to enter the final quarter with a 31-7 lead.
Fourth Quarter
Commerce continued to pour it on after an interception. Perez fired his fourth scoring pass of the night, connecting with Shawn Hooks from 20 yards out. The PAT provided the final margin at 38-7.
Next week will bring the Javelinas to Angelo State for a 6 p.m. matchup. Live stats and audio from the game can be found on javelinaathletics.com and a recap will be published there after the final whistle.
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