The strong arm of Koy Detmer Jr. nearly led the Javelinas to an astounding win over the reigning national champions, the Texas A&M Commerce Lions, but the Hogs fell 37-36 in overtime in the teams’ season opener Thursday.
“We were playing against a tough conference. We were prepared. Our guys worked extremely hard. We really outplayed them. We had chances to put them away and we didn’t take advantage of them. We expected to win,” head coach Daren Wilkinson said.
Detmer threw for 321 yards, going 33-46, with two rushing TDs. Detmer, who the Javelinas recruited last Spring, connected with Ty Chisum for two TDs. Chisum gained 82 yards on 6 receptions. Jeff Carr led the Javelinas in rushing with 33 yards on 9 attempts.
The Javelinas held off the Championship Lions for the entire first half of the game. The Javelinas first struck in the second quarter, scoring 13 points. The team added 10 more in the third. The Lions came alive in the third quarter with Lions’ quarterback Preston Wheeler connecting with Matt Childers for a TD and Kane Wilson rushing for a second, bringing the score to 23-13. The Javelinas led by as much as 16 at one point.
The Lions opened up the fourth quarter with a TD after Wheeler connected with Vincent Hobbs for 12 yards, bringing the Lions to within three, 23-20. Detmer was intercepted by Commerce’s Reggie Kincade with just under 2 minutes remaining in the game. The Javelinas couldn’t hang on to their lead as with 20 seconds left in the game, the Lions tied it up with a field goal.
Under overtime rules, each team gets possession at their opponent’s 25-yard line. The Lions got the ball first, and Lion Ovie Urevbu punched it in for a TD from the 6; the PAT was good, bringing the score to 30-23, Commerce. Detmer answered with a 10-yard TD rush of his own. Julio De La Garza’s PAT was good, tying it up at 30. The Javelinas then started from the TAMUC 25 for the second time. Detmer connected with Aaron Dilworth on an 8-yard pass for a TD. Cade Dyal’s pass attempt for 2 failed. Commerce then answered with a TD pass from Wheeler to Marquis Wimberly from the 7. The PAT was good, giving the Lions the 37-36 win in the second overtime.
“Unfortunately, no the game did not turn out the way we planned but the message we stated and continue to set is still in place. This is a new team and with the leaders of our team and great coaching staff we will continue to work hard and smart. Starting with our upcoming opponent. There’s always room for improvement. We played a hell of a game as a unit and will get together, watch film and correct those mistakes asap,” Kristopher Barnes, a Javelina football player said after the game.
