Week 4 - #11 Sac State at Texas A&M Commerce
The Hornets (1-2) hit the road again to face the Texas A&M University - Commerce Lions (0-3) of the Southland Conference. The Lions are still finding their footing in FCS as they are in year 3 of their D1 saga. The Lions, under second year Head Coach Clint Dolezel, look much improved from a season ago. While TAMU-C is still looking for their first win of the season, they have come close a few times this season. The Lions opened the season with a 14-45 loss at San Diego State in which the Lions had a lead at halftime. The Lions then made a second half comeback at the other side of the Causeway in week 2, and had the ball late in the game with a chance to drive for a tie before throwing a pick six and ultimately falling 22-36. Last week, the Lions lost a back and forth game in overtime at home to Grambling, 28-35.
Offensively, the Lions run a typical read option offense in 11 or 12 personnel and have a 50-50 run-pass split. Quarterback Ron Peace (47/89, 621 yds, 3 TD, 6 INT, 20 car, 11 yds) has a strong arm with questionable decision making and stares down his receivers. He is more than capable of hitting an open receiver down the field. Peace has spread the ball around as 8 players have at least 5 catches on the year. The leading targets are wide receivers Tyler Daniels (8 rec, 142 yds) and Brooks Rigney (8 rec, 110 yds, 1 TD). The Lion running backs are a capable group. BK Jackson (26 car, 175 yds,2 TD, 3 rec, 24 yds) is capable of grinding out short yardage situations and has breakaway speed in open space. The Lions also have some heavier running backs that they like to pound the ball with. Up front, the Lion offensive line is very sizable and is best at pushing straight ahead in the running game. The Lion front has given up 6 sacks on the year.
Defensively, TAMU-C has some good athleticism in their 4-2 defense but have struggled to keep opponents off of the scoreboard. Linebacker Brandon Tucker Jr (33 tak, 3.5 TFL) leads the Lion defense in tackles and tackles-for-loss while defensive tackle Leon Young (8 tak, 2 TFL, 2 sac) leads the defense in sacks. 3 players have an interception on the year.
On special teams the TAMU-C kicker, Andy Gallegos (0/1 FG, 0/1 PAT), has had his lone field goal attempt blocked. Kicker Luke Jackson (4/4 PAT) has taken over the extra point duties last week. Punter Mitchell McGarry (17 pnt, 38.3 ypp) has had a busy season and has placed 6 punts inside the 20. The Lions kickoff coverage is allowing 24.4 yards per return.
Position Advantage
Stingers Up!
TAMU-C at Causeway foe Highlights:
The Hornets (1-2) hit the road again to face the Texas A&M University - Commerce Lions (0-3) of the Southland Conference. The Lions are still finding their footing in FCS as they are in year 3 of their D1 saga. The Lions, under second year Head Coach Clint Dolezel, look much improved from a season ago. While TAMU-C is still looking for their first win of the season, they have come close a few times this season. The Lions opened the season with a 14-45 loss at San Diego State in which the Lions had a lead at halftime. The Lions then made a second half comeback at the other side of the Causeway in week 2, and had the ball late in the game with a chance to drive for a tie before throwing a pick six and ultimately falling 22-36. Last week, the Lions lost a back and forth game in overtime at home to Grambling, 28-35.
Offensively, the Lions run a typical read option offense in 11 or 12 personnel and have a 50-50 run-pass split. Quarterback Ron Peace (47/89, 621 yds, 3 TD, 6 INT, 20 car, 11 yds) has a strong arm with questionable decision making and stares down his receivers. He is more than capable of hitting an open receiver down the field. Peace has spread the ball around as 8 players have at least 5 catches on the year. The leading targets are wide receivers Tyler Daniels (8 rec, 142 yds) and Brooks Rigney (8 rec, 110 yds, 1 TD). The Lion running backs are a capable group. BK Jackson (26 car, 175 yds,2 TD, 3 rec, 24 yds) is capable of grinding out short yardage situations and has breakaway speed in open space. The Lions also have some heavier running backs that they like to pound the ball with. Up front, the Lion offensive line is very sizable and is best at pushing straight ahead in the running game. The Lion front has given up 6 sacks on the year.
Defensively, TAMU-C has some good athleticism in their 4-2 defense but have struggled to keep opponents off of the scoreboard. Linebacker Brandon Tucker Jr (33 tak, 3.5 TFL) leads the Lion defense in tackles and tackles-for-loss while defensive tackle Leon Young (8 tak, 2 TFL, 2 sac) leads the defense in sacks. 3 players have an interception on the year.
On special teams the TAMU-C kicker, Andy Gallegos (0/1 FG, 0/1 PAT), has had his lone field goal attempt blocked. Kicker Luke Jackson (4/4 PAT) has taken over the extra point duties last week. Punter Mitchell McGarry (17 pnt, 38.3 ypp) has had a busy season and has placed 6 punts inside the 20. The Lions kickoff coverage is allowing 24.4 yards per return.
Position Advantage
- Quarterback: Hornets. Either Carson Conklin or Kaiden Bennett should outperform Ron Peace.
- Running Backs: Hornets. Elijah Tau-Tolliver is finding his groove but BK Jackson has big play potential. Slight edge to ETT here.
- Wide Receivers: Hornets. The trio of Jared Gipson, Danny Scudero, and Anderson Grover is more well rounded than Tyler Daniel, Brooks Rigney, and Dayan Bilbo.
- Tight Ends: Lions. Coleman Kunts and Sean Sallis have comparable numbers. Sallis has similar production on half as many catches and has caught a touchdown pass.
- Offensive Line: Hornets. The Hornet line has more athleticism than the slightly larger Lion front and the Hornets protect the quarterback better.
- Defensive Line: Hornets. The Lions have good size up front, but the Hornet line has proven to be a better unit in every aspect so far this season.
- Linebackers: Hornets. The emergence of Nakian Jackson alongside proven leader Will Leota is a tough combo to beat. Brandon Tucker Jr and Kyree Anderson are a solid tandem, but the Hornets have an edge in this one.
- Defensive Backs: Lions. The Hornet secondary made strides in the right direction last week, however the Lion secondary is giving up less yards on average through the air.
- Punters: Hornets. Cal McGough is out kicking Mitchell McGarry on punt average and hasn’t had a touchback yet.
- Kickers: Hornets. Zach Schreiner is the better kicker by default.
- Kick Returners: Lions. Nick Johnson has been more consistent than any Hornet returner not named Michael Johnson.
Stingers Up!
TAMU-C at Causeway foe Highlights:
