Who:
Texas-Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros
Versus
East Texas A&M Lions
When: Saturday, October 3, 6 PM
Where: Ernest Hawkins Field at Memorial Stadium, Commerce, TX
Weather: 72 and Rainy at Kickoff, 91% Humidity, Wind NNW @ 7 MPH
Watch/Listen/Stats-
Watch-https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/eventCalendarId/401868248
Listen-88.9 KETR Commerce- Stream at KETR.org- Charlie Chitwood (Play by Play), Brock Callaway (Color/Analysis)
Stats-https://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=673208
The No Huddle-
Last week, East Texas A&M fumbled away yet another game they could and quite frankly should have won in the worst of circumstances. The Lions do return home for homecoming and hope for a big crowed despite unpleasent elements in the weather and an even more hostile opponent in UTRGV. The Vaqueros come in at 2-2, having defeated Division II UT-Permian Basin and McNeese, while having dropped games to UT-San Antonio and Nicholls. That doesn’t negate the fact that The Vaqueros are putting up big numbers on offense and are playing stingy defense.
Lion O Vs. Vaquero D- Quarterback Jack Jacobs will be out of this game. He hurt his ankle/foot and Eric Rodriguez made it clearn in his fourth quarter performance last week that he can win again. He came off the bench and almost won last week. The Lions have to get into attack mode and go go go. The Lion Rushing game and using Rodriguez’s dual threat abilities, along with Micah Simpson’s big play ability is going to be an absolute must to have a chance to win in this game. The question is….can the offensive line, which is better than it has been in the past 3 seasons, but still needing to win in the trenches. UTGRV can play good, physical defense. ET has to counter tha with tough running and efficient passing, not mention the most important of all, ball security.
Lion D Vs. Vaquero O- UTRGV has a potent offense that runs the ball well and passes efficiently. THe biggest area of concern if you are a Lion fan is the poor tackling that has happened. The defensive shifts have been effective, but the best strategies in the world mean nothing if you can’t tackle, and UTRGV has an absolutely punishing ground game. If you can neutralize them, not stop, but NEUTRALIZE them, you have a good shot to win. THeir Quarterback is not going to beat you with his arm if you make him throw it 40 plus times a game, but he can with his pocket presence and his ability to run the Vaquero offense. The keys for the Lions are good fundamental tackling and giving the UTRGV offense just enough confusion on the coverages and stunts to keep them guessing.
Overall-Clint Dolezel is coaching for his job right now. He has to win out to be here next year, or at the very least, win 6 of the final 7 to even be considered. He has led comebacks before as a player and a coach. Now is the time prime time for one if there ever was one.
