Greetings, Lion fans, and in this week’s edition of the Blue Gang Notebook, we’ll take a look at the matchup with the Lumberjacks, as well as a look back at one of the most incredible defensive performances in recent memory, and arguably, at a school known for great defense, the best ever.

The Lumberjacks come into this game struggling somewhat offensively. SFA averages just over 7 yards per pass attempt, and while having had some success in the run game, averaging around 5 yards per carry, have suffered from turnovers. One of those interceptions last week was a pick six that got Austin Peay within striking distance in a game they would eventually win.

Last week was quite possibly the best effort I have ever seen from a Blue Gang defense. To provide some perspective on this, let me say…. with all the excitement in 2017 surrounding Luis Perez and the aerial circus that was the Lion offense, it was the defense that carried the day, and propelled Commerce to its first national championship in 45 years. I was on the sidelines that night in 1979 when the Blue Gang dealt eventual NAIA national champion Texas A&I their only loss, a 3-0 shutout. In 1980, it was the late Danny Kirk, Jimmy Buster, Curtis Ray, and the rest of the defense that drove Ernest Hawkins’s Lions to within a hair’s breadth of another national championship. As good as that offense was with Wade Wilson, the defense finished 1980 as one of the best in the nation. In a recent poll taken here at The Wire of the all-time Blue Gang roster, almost half of the first team came from this era.

Simply put, last Saturday was a perfect example of what our former colleague Billy Minor termed “championship level” defense. Eight sacks. Three picks. Allowing just 30 yards rushing on 15 attempts, for an average of just over a half yard. And, but for an unfortunate injury to a defensive back during the play, would have held an FBS opponent WITHOUT A TOUCHDOWN. They were that good, fans. Now, can the sustain that success and build on it? Let’s dive right in and take a look:

OVERALL:

Lumberjack Offense:

Points: 32.2 ppg

Rush: 167.3 ypg

Pass: 208.5 ypg

Total: 375.8 ypg

Turnovers : 7

Blue Gang Defense:

Points: 30.6 ppg

Rush 197.7 ypg

Pass: 266.6 ypg

Total: 458.3 ypg

Turnovers: 10

This is a much closer matchup than would appear on the surface. Given the Lions effort last week, mix in their uncanny ability to turn teams over, and add to that, SFA’s problems with ball security, this is going to be very interesting.

The Lumberjacks have lived off of the occasional explosive play. The Lions lead the Southland Conference in sacks and interceptions. The Lumberjacks have struggled for the most part in getting the passing game going downfield consistently. The Lions, despite the one injury last week, have gotten some players back.

The key to Blue Gang success this week will come down to whether they can maintain pressure on the passer and avoid that explosive play. For the Lumberjacks, can they protect the passer well enough to allow openings downfield? It’s going to be interesting to watch.

UP FRONT/TALE OF THE TAPE:

Lumberjack Offensive Line: 6’4″ 308 lbs.

Blue Gang Front Six: 6’1″ 242 lbs.

The SFA offensive line is huge, experienced, and talented. Three seniors start, Clint Lapic (6’5″ 300 lbs.), Keegan Holm (6’5″ 300 lbs.), and Justice Guillory (6’2″ 270 lbs.). They are joined junior Daniel Keys (6’6″ 340 lbs.), and redshirt sophomore Nate Adams (6’7″ 321 lbs.). They are what make the Lumberjack offense go.

The Blue Gang front six are coming off their best game of the season so far. Juniors Warren Robinson (6’3″ 245 lbs.), senior Levi Drake Rodriguez (6’4″ 290 lbs.), junior Leon Young (5’11” 250 lbs.), and junior Clifford Funderburk (6’3″ 238 lbs.), along with linebackers Darryle Ware (6’2″ 218 lbs., Jr.), and Kyree Anderson (5’11” 215 lbs., Soph.), teamed up for eight total sacks, and many more quarterback hurries. Their harassment was such that it forced the Old Dominion starter to the bench.

The key to this matchup, and it will be quite the chess match, is to avoid being pushed around by that massive SFA offensive line, and to create more pressure on the passer, creating turnovers. The SFA passing game has shown a tendency to turn the ball over quite a bit in 2023.

MOVERS AND SHAKERS/THE BACK LINE:

Lumberjack Movers and Shakers: 6’2″ 208 lbs.

Blue Gang Back Line: 5’10” 173 lbs.

The SFA offense is led by junior quarterback Brian Mauer (6’5″ 215 lbs.), a transfer from Tennessee, who is 68-128,, 4 touchdowns, a long of 53 yards, and 7 interceptions. He has thrown for a 184.7 per game average.

The rushing attack is led by sophomore Jerrell Wimberly (5’11” 195 lbs.) who has rushed for 361 yards on 65 attempts, 3 touchdowns, and a long of 64. Maurer follows with 165 yards on 21 attempts, 3 touchdowns, and a long of 63 yards. Redshirt sophomore Anthony Williams has contributed 144 yards on 37 carries, 1 touchdown, and a long of 20 yards.

The Lumberjack receiving corps is led by senior Lawton Rikel (6’0″ 184 lbs.) with 16 catches for 198 yards, and a long of 26 yards. He is joined by sophomore Kylon Harris (5’11” 160 lbs.), with 15 catches for 149 yards, a pair of touchdowns, and a long of 47.

The Lion back line is led by junior Max Epps, who leads the Southland Conference in picks with four. Epps is also one of the top tacklers for the Lions, with 20 (12 solo). Fellow defensive back Dariyon Taylor leads the team with 26 tackles (18 solo), and sophomore Jordan Polk has 14 tackles (12 solo.). It is unknown at this time about sophomore Kendall Paul’s availability due to injury.

Lion fans, this is a very good defensive backfield made that much better by a terrific pass rush. The SFA offense is nowhere near as explosive as Old Dominion, so if the Lions are able to generate that same pressure this week, they should have a real advantage.

VERY SPECIAL, INDEED: Kylon Harris has had two punt returns for no yardage for the Lumberjacks, but redshirt sophomore Ki’Yon Wafer (6’3″ 185 lbs.) has 6 kickoff returns for 20.8 yards per return..

God Bless Emmanuel Adagbon. The senior kicker from Mesquite Horn has been nothing but money for the Lions in 2022, and the start of this season, but last week was just a very tough week, having to kick into the cross winds that accompanied Tropical Storm Ophelia that made its way to Norfolk last week. Both a 60-yard attempt, snuffed out by an Old Dominion penalty and a following 45 yarder, both were well long enough, but the prevailing winds blew both kicks just wide left.

Junior punter Mitchell McGarry surely can sympathize with Adagbon, having dealt with his own struggles kicking in a windy environment in Pueblo in 2021. McGarry was brilliant yet again, and is averaging 38.4 yards on 21 punts, with a long of 58 yards. They’re both going to need to be brilliant again this week.

THE LIONS WIN THIS MATCHUP IF: The biggest question is: Can Clint Dolezel, Bob Bounds, and the rest of the offensive staff recreate the magic that was discovered in the last 4:25 of the game last week? It they’re able to establish some consistency, with the Blue Gang playing the way they did, then this game is going to get very interesting.

The Lions matchup very well with the Lumberjacks, who have suffered offensively from the turnover bug, inconsistency in getting the ball downfield in the passing game and losing some key playmakers due to graduation.

Brian and I said last week that this team, believe it or not, has shown improvement from week to week, and the just need one good thing to happen. Last week, they found the beginnings of it.

Last week, Clint Dolezel and his team found the kindling This week, it’s time make that kindling burst forth into a roaring fire.

See You in Nacogdoches.