After a narrow loss on the goal line to end the 2014 season at Texas A&M University-Commerce, the Tarleton State University Texans remained eager for Saturday’s 24th meeting with the 18th ranked Lions. Odds appeared to favor the Texans early as they won the coin toss electing to differ to after the half.

To the Texan’s dismay, Commerce broke for a 76 yard run on the game’s opening play on a day where the defense hoped to capture momentum early.  After a seven-yard touchdown reception by Justice Luce, Commerce established an early 7-0 lead after only four plays (12:48 in 1st).

Amidst Tarleton’s opening drive, Zed Woerner’s shoulder injury prompted sophomore, Alex Craig into action. Initially, what looked to be a promising drive resulted in Tarleton’s eighth punt of the season.

On the Lion’s ensuing drive Chase Varnado provided Tarleton a sack for a five yard loss resulting in Commerce’s fifth punt the season. A couple snaps later, Gabe Rodriguez lined up in a wildcat look, and found Derrick Macon for a 15 yard touchdown connection for the Lions (5:51 in 1st).

A false start began Tarleton’s third drive of the night, which led to a 4th down punting situation for the Texans of which the Lion’s fielded at the 22 yard line.

After a quarter of play, the Texans trailed the Lions 14-0 and were outgained 197 total yards to Tarleton State’s 36.

On the Lion’s proceeding drive, Tarleton drew a 15-yard penalty by way of a facemask. Four plays later, the Lion’s rolled the dice and converted on 4th down with a quarterback keeper at the goal line extending their lead to 21-0 (12:05 in 2nd).  

Alex Craig dialed up Cooper Cole on the Texan’s first third down of the drive for a 12 yard gain on 3rd down with eight yards to go. The drive came to a 4th down and six, however, an off sides penalty by the Lions granted the Texans a manageable 4th down and one from Tarleton’s 42 yard line. To the dismay of the Texans faithful in attendance, Zach Henshaw’s attempt fell nine inches short of moving the chains (8:10 in 2nd).

The following drive for Texas A&M Commerce accounted for 4:02 being burned off the clock for an eight play drive that ended with the Lions advancing their point total to 28 after an eight-yard touchdown pass from Stewart to Lance Evans (4:02 in 2nd).

In search of a spark offensively, Coach Fowler decided to go with red shirt freshman Derek Kiser who came out completing four of his first six pass attempts. On a 4th down, Kiser attempted a gutsy pass to a double-teamed Meyers which resulted in a change of possession.

Heading into the locker room Tarleton trailed 28-0, and were outgained 266 to 115 total yards in the first half.

The second half initiated with a 13 yard run from Jabari Anderson on 1st down from the Tarleton 38 yard line. Matters took a grim turn three plays after as Texas A&M Commerce accounted for their seventh interception of 2015 at the expense of Derek Kiser.

The following Lion drive accounted for only six plays, as Derrick Macon broke a 58 yard touchdown run that lengthened Commerce’s lead to 35-0 (11:02 in 3rd).

 As 9:45 remained in the third quarter, the Texan defense met the Lion’s offense on a drive that began on the Commerce 41 yard line. Seven plays and 59 yard later Harrison Stewart found Darby Smith for a 32-yard touchdown pass (42-0, 6:18 in 3rd).

Tarleton’s night went from a horrible to a complete nightmare during the ensuing kickoff as Daniel McCants fielded the kick on the four-yard line and proceeded backtracking into the end zone where he was tackled for a painful Commerce touchdown (49-0, 6:11 in 3rd).

Entering the 4th quarter, the Texans trailed 49-0, but stood firm in resolve as the offensive line opened a hole for Zack Henshaw’s bruising 14 yard run to start the drive. Derek Kiser saw intense pass rushes on 2nd and 3rd down which led to an Isaac Arellano for 56 yards to the Commerce 10 yard line.

As the Lions set up for their first offensive play of the 4th, Theo Wofford managed to promptly cap the drive with a 90 sprint to the end zone, augmenting their lead to 56-0. 

The following Texan drive spanned only three plays, as the Lion’s took over in possession from their own 27-yard line. Commerce ran six plays before Gabe Rodriguez found Justin Luce on a 26-yard touchdown pass. Following Luce’s touchdown, the Lions had a 63-0 lead over the Texans.

Tarleton did not fare any better on their next offensive series as Coach Fowler alternated back to Alex Craig who was intercepted five plays into the drive (5:24 in 4th).

Tarleton was granted a final opportunity to avoid a scoreless outing with 1:03 left in the 4th; however, 14 seconds later Alex Craig’s interception returned possession to the Lions sealing the shutout.

The Tarleton State Texans were outgained by the Lions 605 to 216 in total yards, which marks two consecutive games in which the Texan defense allows at least 600 yards of offense.

Saturday’s win for Texas A&M Commerce marks the third in a row for the Lions in this Lone Star Conference Series, and is also the first time Tarleton has been shutout since Nov 8, 2008.  Coach Carey Fowler and his Texans head to Kingsville this weekend for their 7 p.m. kickoff against the Javelinas of Texas A&M University-Kingsville.