\n
\n Story Links
\n
\n
\n
<\/p>\n
COMMERCE \u2013 The East Texas A&M University welcomes No. 24\/24 ranked SFA this week for the Homecoming game presented by Brookshire’s.\u00a0<\/p>\n
WHO: SFA at East Texas A&M
\nWHERE:\u00a0Commerce\u00a0| Ernest Hawkins Field
\nWHEN:\u00a0Saturday, October 25 |\u00a06 p.m.
\nRECORDS:\u00a0East Texas A&M is\u00a02-1 in Southland Conference play and 2-5 overall, while SFA is 5-2 overall and 3-0 in conference play.\u00a0
\nRANKINGS: SFA is ranked No. 24 in both the AFCA and the Stats Perform FCS polls.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
LIVE AUDIO:\u00a0Lion Sports Network\u00a0\u2013 KETR 88.9 FM (http:\/\/www.ketr.org<\/a>) GAS TANK LEAGUE SLC MEMBERS IN 2025-26
\u00a0 LIONS STORM BACK TO STUN THE CARDINALS ANDERSON NAMED SLC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK LIONS EARN NATIONAL ATTENTION FOLLOWING THE WIN OVER THE CARDINALS SUCCESS ON HOMECOMING WEEKEND 1-0 START TO CONFERENCE PLAY FOR THE THIRD TIME STARTING OFF WITH BACK-TO-BACK RANKED OPPONENTS TOUGH ROAD CONTINUES HOME AT LAST NATIONAL TV LOVES THE LIONS PLAYING IN OUR BACKYARD JUST DO IT PLAYING TOUGH AGAINST FIERCE COMPETITION CONTROLLING THE CLOCK LIONS END 2024 ON A ROLL GETTING USED TO UNFAMILIAR TERRITORY A THRILLING WIN OVER SFA THEY GROW UP SO FAST TWO SIDES TO A COIN LIONS END STREAK WITH WIN OVER DEMONS SHUTOUT STREAK ENDS RARE OVERTIME GAME PEACE TAKES COMMAND JOURDAIN IS ALWAYS OPEN KYREE’S GOT THE CALL RIGBY IS THE GUY OAKMON ENTERS THE RECORD BOOKS IN NATCHITOCHES T-SEVENTH IN THE PRESEASON SLC POLL PRESEASON SLC POLL
\nSETTING UP FOR LIFE AFTER FOOTBALL LIST OF LION GRADUATES THE PICK IS IN: LEVI DRAKE RODRIGUEZ LIONS IN THE PROS CHANGES TO THE COACHING STAFF FUTURE FBS GAMES ON THE BOOKS RARE FEAT FOR THE LIONS
\u00a0
\nLIVE VIDEO:\u00a0ESPN+\u00a0|\u00a0https:\/\/www.espn.com\/watch\/player\/_\/id\/c3b5c29b-3712-4ec4-a73f-03972308c9ff<\/a>
\nLIVE STATS:\u00a0https:\/\/stats.statbroadcast.com\/broadcast\/?id=605086<\/a>
\nSLC International Feed:\u00a0https:\/\/www.southland.org\/watch\/<\/a>
\nGAME NOTES: ETAMU<\/a>\u00a0| SFA
\nSOUTHLAND MEDIA HUB:\u00a0https:\/\/www.southland.org\/sports\/2025\/8\/26\/FB_0826252804.aspx<\/a>
\n\u00a0
\nFULL DIVISION I MEMBERS
\n\u2022 East Texas A&M University received
\napproval from the NCAA in June 2025 for its expedited transition process to
\nbecome full NCAA Division I members and become immediately eligible for NCAA sponsored postseason events.
\n\u2022 The Lions are eligible for the NCAA FCS Playoffs this year as they look to make their first playoff appearance at any level since reaching the Division II Quarterfinals in 2019.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 The Southland gets another new look this season as UTRGV plays its first season of football, which comes on the heels of SFA re-joining the SLC a year ago.
\n\u2022 The Lions downed SFA a year ago and play the Lumberjacks for the 60th time on October 25. Last season’s contest did not affect the SLC standings.
\n\u2022 The first ever trip down to the Rio Grande Valley comes on November 22 for the Lions.<\/p>\n
\nInstitution Offers Football in 2025?
\n<\/p>\n
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tEAST TEXAS A&M
\n\t\t\tYES
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tHCU
\n\t\t\tYes
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tUIW
\n\t\t\tYes
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tLamar
\n\t\t\tYes
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tMcNeese
\n\t\t\tYes
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tNew Orleans
\n\t\t\tNo
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tNicholls State
\n\t\t\tYes
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tNorthwestern State
\n\t\t\tYes
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tSoutheastern
\n\t\t\tYes
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tSFA
\n\t\t\tYes
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tA&M-Corpus Christi
\n\t\t\tNo
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tUTRGV
\n\t\t\tYes
\n\t\t
\n\t
<\/p>\n
\nTWO STRAIGHT YEARS WITH AN ALL-AMERICAN
\n\u2022 East Texas A&M has played three seasons as a transitioning Division I member and have had a player earn All-America honors in two of those seasons.
\n\u2022 After Max Epps<\/a> earned All-America distinction in 2023, Brandon Tucker<\/a> was named a first team All-American last season as well as the SLC Defensive Player of the Year.
\n
\nSERIES HISTORY AGAINST THE LUMBERJACKS
\n\u2022 The Lions and the Lumberjacks meet for the 59th time on Saturday, with East Texas A&M holding a 44-14-1 advantage in the series that dates back to 1924.
\n\u2022 East Texas A&M is 26-2 all-time at home, including a 19-14 win last season, which snapped a run of three straight wins by SFA.
\n\u2022 This is the first conference game between the two teams since 1983, which the Lions won 23-21 at home.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Trailing by as much as 21 in the game, the Lions came back to win it 52-45 over UIW last Saturday in San Antonio.
\n\u2022 It was the first ever win over the Cardinals for the Lions, who improved to 2-1 in conference play. The Lions outscored UIW 31-10 in the second half.
\n\u2022 The 21 point-deficit overcome by the Lions is the most in the Division I era as well.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Linebacker Kyree Anderson<\/a> was named the Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Week following the win over the Cardinals as he totaled 12 tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss, as well as a sack and interception in the win.
\n\u2022 He is the first Lion to earn a weekly honor this season.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 On Monday, East Texas A&M was tabbed an honorable mention National Team of the Week by Stats Perform FCS, while Kyree Anderson<\/a> earned honorable mention National Defensive Player of the Week recognition as well.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 This week is the homecoming game for the Lions, who are 60-36-1 during homecoming games.
\n\u2022 The Lions have lost their last two homecoming games, before winning the previous eight.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 East Texas A&M sinked Northwestern State 40-10 to win the Southland Conference opener on October 4 in Natchitoches.
\n\u2022 The Lions have started 1-0 in conference play for the third time in four seasons since joining the Southland Conference.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 SMU was ranked No. 16 in both the USA Today Coaches Poll and the Associated Press polls to begin the season, and Florida State was ranked No. 14\/19 when the Lions faced off against the Seminoles in Tallahassee.
\n\u2022 It marked the first time since the first two games of the 2023 season that the Lions play ranked opponents in back-to-back weeks.
\n\u2022 In 2023, the Lions fell at home to No. 16\/17 UC Davis and lost at No. 9\/8 Sacramento State.
\n\u2022 It is also believed to be the only occurence in recent memory that an FCS team played two nationally ranked FBS teams in the same season.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Having already played two teams that were nationally ranked, the Lions took on NC Central in their home opener, who was receiving votes in both the AFCA and Stats Perform polls and then faced No. 20\/24 Lamar on October 11.
\n\u2022 Six of the final nine opponents for the Lions are either ranked or receiving votes in the national rankings this week, including the next two.
\n\u2022 SFA is ranked No. 24 in both the AFCA and Stats Perform polls this week.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 The first home game this season for East Texas A&M did not come till September 27 when the Lions hosted NC Central.
\n\u2022 Five weeks into the season is the longest the Lions had had to wait for a home game since the 2009 season.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Playing SMU on the ACC Network on Week One, East Texas A&M began its season on National Television on prime time for the second straight as they played at San Diego State on truTV in Week One last season.
\n\u2022 The Lions had another appearance on the ACC Network at Florida State on September 6.
\n\u2022 The Lions are just one of two FCS programs to play their first two games of the season on National TV this season, the other being fellow Texas A&M University member Tarleton.
\n\u2022 The game at San Diego State last season and the ones against SMU and Florida State are the first three National TV games for the program since the 2017 Division II National Championship game.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Only 70 miles seperated East Texas A&M’s Ernest Hawkins Field and SMU’s Gerald Ford Stadium, the site of week one against the Mustangs.
\n\u2022 It is the shortest distance the Lions traveled for a “true” road game since playing at Southeastern Oklahoma State on October 5, 2013.
\n\u2022 Southeastern’s Paul Laird Field is 72 miles away from Ernest Hawkins Field.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 East Texas A&M signed an apparel agreement with Nike prior to the season and is now the only school in the Southland to be outfitted by Nike.
\n\u2022 Three of the four non-conference games this season came against Nike schools for the Lions.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 East Texas A&M has now faced four FBS opponents in the Division I era.
\n\u2022 Through their first two games, East Texas A&M held its FBS opponents (Old Dominion, San Diego State) to a combined three points in the first half.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 The Lions have averaged time of possession of 31 minutes and 46 seconds through the first seven games of the season, which is now 23rd in the FCS and third in the SLC.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 East Texas A&M entered the 2024 season finale against No. 6 UIW having won two in a row and had a lead over the Cardinals in the fourth quarter.
\n\u2022 The Cardinals pulled away late and went to play in the FCS Quarterfinals.
\n\u2022 The Lions improved their win total by two last season and won two conference games for the first time since 2022, while tying the record for most wins over Division I opponents in a season.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Four of the 12 games for the Lions this season come in venues that they have not played in before, including the first three games prior to their home opener at SMU, Florida State, and Grambling.
\n\u2022 East Texas A&M ends the season at SLC foe UTRGV, who is playing its first season of football this season.
\n\u2022 Of the other three road games, the Lions play at Northwestern State and at Southeastern for the second year in a row.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 East Texas A&M has played SFA 59 times in its program history, though last season marked a special milestone for the Lions as it was the first game as “East Texas A&M” and also the first time the Lumberjacks had played in Commerce since 1983.
\n\u2022 The Lions pulled out a 19-14 victory, making a goal-line stop in the final minute of the game, moving to 44-14-1 all-time against the ‘Jacks.
\n\u2022 East Texas A&M hosts SFA on homecoming this season, looking to snap a streak of two straight losses on homecoming weekend as the program had won eight in a row on homecoming weekend, being 60-37-1.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 This year’s coaching staff for the Lions features four members that played their college football in Commerce.
\n\u2022 Along with head coach Clint Dolezel<\/a>, quarterback coach Jeff Cleveland<\/a>, offensive line coach Bob Connelly<\/a>, and tight ends coach Cameron Nellor<\/a> are Lion alums.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 From the season finale against UIW last season, the Lions bring back eight starters on offense.
\n\u2022 On the other end, they look to replace nine starters on defense as well as the entire special teams unit.
\n\u2022 In the season opener against SMU, the offense featured 10 returners, while Josh Pikl being the lone newcomer and on defense, three newcomers were part of the starting 11.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 East Texas A&M rolled over Northwestern State for the first win of the season in 2024 and also snapped a 10-game losing streak overall, dating back to last season.
\n\u2022 The Lions also won their first game on the road since October 15, 2022, having lost the previous 10 on the road as well.
\n\u2022 The win gave the Lions their first SLC win of the year as well, avoiding a 0-2 start to conference play since 2013.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 A longstanding streak for East Texas A&M came to an end against Sac State last season, being shutout for the first time since 2011.
\n\u2022 The Lions had played 135 games without being shutout during the stretch.
\n\u2022 It was also the first road shutout for Sac State since 2011.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 The Lions fell in overtime to Grambling in last season’s home opener, which was the program’s first overtime game in the Division I era and first since October 9, 2021, against Saginaw Valley State.
\n\u2022 Over the last six seasons, the Lions have played just three overtime games, the only win being over A&M-Kingsville in 2018.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Quarterback Ron Peace<\/a> (Malakoff) returns for his second season under center for the Lions.
\n\u2022 He has the highest passing yards and touchdowns among SLC quarterbacks that return to their teams this season.
\n\u2022 He was twice named SLC Offensive Player of the Week a year ago.
\n\u2022 Battling a leg injury to start the year, Peace made his season debut last week against NC Central, going 19 for 39 with one interception for 356 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
\n\u2022 He has started the last four games.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 The only returning all-conference player from a season ago for East Texas A&M is wide receiver Christian Jourdain<\/a>, who is also entering his second season in the Blue and Gold.
\n\u2022 Last season, Jourdain ranked sixth in the SLC with 683 receiving yards and fifth with six touchdowns.
\n\u2022 Jourdain has totaled 358 yards on 30 catches and caught a touchdown in two of the last three games.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 The NCAA playing rules allow for coach to player communication for the first time this season in the FCS.
\n\u2022 Teams are limited to just one player on offense and one on defense to receive the communication. Offensively, for the Lions, it will be the quarterback position receiving the play calls, while on defense, it will be mike linebacker Kyree Anderson<\/a>.
\n\u2022 Anderson is one of two returning starters on defense and racked up 96 tackles, one interception, two forced fumbles last season.
\n\u2022 Against Lamar last week, he forced a fumble and returned it back for a 29-yard touchdown, having forced three fumbles on the season.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Ozlo Rigby<\/a>, a transfer from Pasadena City College, took over as the Lions’ kicker on Saturday at SMU.
\n\u2022 He went 2 for 3 in field goal tries, hitting a 29-yarder and 32-yard kick.
\n\u2022 Rigby scored the lone points for the Lions at Florida State, kicking in a 21-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.
\n\u2022 Through five games, he is 8 for 10 in field goal attempts, with a long of 47 yards, which came in the second half against the Demons on October 6.
\n\u2022 He has made his last six field goals and was a perfect 7 for 7 in point-after attempts last week at UIW.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 EJ Oakmon<\/a> scored the first 14 points of the game in Natchitoches, finishing the game with 75 yards and three touchdowns.
\n\u2022 His three touchdowns are tied for 11th in the country for most in a game this season and it is also tied for second most in a game in program history.
\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 The Lions were picked to finish in a tie for seventh in the preseason Southland Conference poll this year, receiving 59 votes, along with HCU.
\n\u2022 East Texas A&M won at home over HCU last season and hosts the Huskies again this year.<\/p>\n
\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tRank
\n\t\t\tTeam
\n\t\t\tPoints (First-Place Votes)
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t1
\n\t\t\tUIW
\n\t\t\t158 (15)
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t2
\n\t\t\tSFA
\n\t\t\t137 (3)
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t3
\n\t\t\tSoutheastern
\n\t\t\t136 (1)
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t4
\n\t\t\tLamar
\n\t\t\t112 (1)
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t5
\n\t\t\tNicholls
\n\t\t\t91
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t6
\n\t\t\tMcNeese
\n\t\t\t85
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tT-7
\n\t\t\tEAST TEXAS A&M
\n\t\t\t59
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tT-7
\n\t\t\tHCU
\n\t\t\t59
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t9
\n\t\t\tNorthwestern State
\n\t\t\t39
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t10
\n\t\t\tUTRGV
\n\t\t\t24
\n\t\t
\n\t
<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 The Lions’s roster features 21 players that have already graduated and working towards a master’s degree or a second bachelor’s degree.
\n\u2022 The 21 graduates for the Lions are second in the Southland Conference and 10th in NCAA Division I FCS.<\/p>\n
\nKyree Anderson<\/a>
\nPatrick Brown Jr.
\nChandler Donaway<\/a>
\nCJ Garnett<\/a>
\nJadin Jones<\/a>
\nChristian Jourdain<\/a>
\nDevante Keys<\/a>
\nKoby-Sebasyen King<\/a>
\nSean-Krystoff King<\/a>
\nWill Madonna<\/a>
\nAlijah May<\/a>
\nPaul Odidi<\/a>
\nIke Ojukwu<\/a>
\nMicah Owens<\/a>
\nJaden Proctor<\/a>
\nEric Rodriguez<\/a>
\nKendal Septs<\/a>
\nKJ Shankle<\/a>
\nMichael Surface<\/a>
\nRomello Watson<\/a>
\nJosh Wiggins<\/a><\/p>\n
\n\u2022 On April 27, 2024, Levi Drake Rodriguez heard his name called at the NFL Draft, being drafted in the sixth round by the Minnesota Vikings.
\n\u2022 Rodriguez was the first NFL Draft pick for the Lions since 2000 and 31st overall to be drafted in the NFL\/AFL.
\n\u2022 Rodriguez earned first team all-conference honors a year ago and was named to Pro Football Focus’ All-America team.
\n\u2022 After appearing in two tackles and picking up a tackle last season, Rodriguez was announced on the Vikings’ 53-man roster to begin the season.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 The Lions have two players currently on NFL rosters heading into the 2025 season.
\n\u2022 Rodriguez is entering his second season with the Minnesota Vikings, while Kader Kohou is entering his fourth with the Miami Dolphins.
\n\u2022 Kohou suffered an injury during training camp and is currently sidelined, expected to miss the 2025 season.
\n\u2022 Currently, defensive back King Ambers<\/a> and defensive lineman Celestin Haba are currently on active rosters in the Canadian Football League.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 The Lions have made a few changes to their coaching staff heading into the year.
\n\u2022 Tony McClain<\/a> adds the role of being the team’s special teams coordinator along with being the running backs coach.
\n\u2022 Offensively, Jeff Cleveland<\/a> takes over as the full-time quarterbacks coach, Bob Connelly<\/a> serves as the offensive line coach and run game coordinator, while Cameron Nellor<\/a> is elevated to tight ends coach and Matt Moriarty<\/a> moves over to assistant offensive line coach.
\n\u2022 On the defensive side, Luke Jaicks<\/a> is the new
\ncornerbacks coach, while Bryce Bailey<\/a> moves over to safeties coach.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 The string of games against FBS continues for the Lions as they are scheduled to play at Tulsa next season on September 19, 2026, at Louisiana on September 11, 2027, and at North Texas on September 16, 2028.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 The Lions won their first three conference games in the Southland and Division I in 2022, becoming just the fourth program to start conference play 3-0 during its first season in NCAA Division I AA\/FCS, joining UAlbany (DII), Dayton (DIII), and Gardner-Webb (DII).
\n\u00a0
\n<\/p>\n
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tYr.
\n\t\t\tTeam
\n\t\t\tConf.
\n\t\t\tStrk
\n\t\t\tFinal Record
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t1983
\n\t\t\tDayton
\n\t\t\tPioneer
\n\t\t\tW6
\n\t\t\t6-0
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t1999
\n\t\t\tUAlbany
\n\t\t\tNortheast
\n\t\t\tW5
\n\t\t\t6-1
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t2002
\n\t\t\tGardner-Webb
\n\t\t\tBig South
\n\t\t\tW3
\n\t\t\t3-0
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t2022
\n\t\t\tEAST TEXAS A&M
\n\t\t\tSOUTHLAND
\n\t\t\tW3
\n\t\t\t3-3
\n\t\t
\n\t
<\/p>\n
\n-ETAMU-<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Story Links
COMMERCE \u2013 The East Texas A&M University welcomes No. 24\/24 ranked SFA…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":231394,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[563],"tags":[64,63,596,85],"class_list":["post-231393","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-football","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-football","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/231393","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=231393"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/231393\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/231394"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=231393"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=231393"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=231393"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}