(RV) STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE (6-3; 4-2) VS. TEXAS A&M - COMMERCE (1-8; 1-3)

WHEN: Nov. 9 (SAT.) 3:30 P.M.
WHERE: Commerce, Texas (Memorial Stadium)
TV: ESPN+
Hall of Fame Game, Salute to Service

SERIES HISTORY

FOOTBALL HISTORY VS TEXAS A&M - COMMERCE FROM OCTOBER 19, 1924 - SEPTEMBER 30, 2023

WINS: 13
LOSSES: 43
TIES: 1

Away Record: 3-24
Streak: 2-Wins

SFA has won 3 of the last 4 meetings

W: 56-27 (Home) 2023
W: 48-21 (Home) 2000
L: 21-23 (Away) 1983
W: 17-14 (Home) 1982

This weekend we have the battle of East Texas in an old rivalry that dates back to 1924, a series that was dominated by the then known team of East Texas State University Lions, now Texas - A&M Commerce.

Second year head coach Clint Dolezel will try to get things going for the Lions with his short passing game, with the pre-snap motion, mixed with the balanced rushing attack of RB's BK Jackson and JaiSean McMillian who have combined for 552 yards and 4TD's, with the occasional deep pass to WR Christian Jourdain with his 36, catches, 454 yards, and TD's 3. As a team the Lions offense averages 18-points a game, with 82-yards a game on the ground and 241-yards through the air.

The offense is orchestrated by athletic duel threat QB Ron Peace who has passed for 1,658 yards off of 130 completions with 9 TD's and 11 INT's. Peace has shown flashes of success which includes a solid performance against Top-10 UC Davis passing for 457 yards, 3 TD's, while completing 29 passes.

UTAMC will implement their 4-2-5 defense, that currently is giving up 32-points a game, almost 200 rushing yards and 200 yards passing. The most impactful player on defense would be LB Brandon Tucker who has 100 tackles, 12.5 for a loss, 3.5 sacks, 2 QBH's, and 2 FF.

The Lumberjacks are riding high off of their big victory in Thibodaux, having won 2-straight and 5 of their last 6. But there is still so much on the line and work to do down the stretch in this their last 3-games, one on the road and then two Top-25 matchups waiting back in the Nac.

The formula is simple, win all three, your in. But first the Jacks have a Lion to tame, and to say this lion is struggling would be an understatement, but like any wounded animal, especially a lion, there's still a little fight and bite you have to be ready for.

Any Given Saturday

Axe'Em

I was actually excited when Clint Dolezel was hired in Commerce. I went to a few Dallas Desperado AFL games back in the day and actually still have a Dolezel jersey somewhere. He was the most successful coach in AFL history after he retired, so it only seemed like a match made in heaven when he got the chance to go back to his Alma Mater and try to bring them back to the success Carthel brought them.

That was until reality sunk in, and it turned out he had 11 guys on offense and defense instead of 8, and the field is 50 yards longer. I think Dolezel is a really good coach, but he's dedicated the better part of the last 20 years to an entirely different sport in arena football, so maybe the transition back to normal football was too much for him.

Regardless, we have the coach who does know how to win in Commerce, and I expect nothing short of a 40+ point style point win for us. Qualan Jones notably did suit out for the Nicholls game, something he hasn't done since Lamar, so I'm thinking he should be back and healthy for this one or at least maybe see a couple of snaps to knock the rust off.

Vidlak's status is still unknown. I'm sure the coaches don't want it, but I sure wish we had a transparent injury report we could look at to see exactly what happened to him. I've been told it's not serious, but if he's not 100% I probably wouldn't risk it. We shouldn't need him for commerce to win big, we absolutely need him 100% for UIW and ACU.

My only concern about this game is the old "trap game syndrome. Coming off a Big win and facing a powerhouse in UIW the next weekend could lead to overlooking a not good Commerce team.
Hopefully team and coaches are on it and take it 1 game at a time. We have completely dominated the underdogs all year and no reason for this game not to do the same.
Get it done....then think about UIW.