Story by
The Herald Banner, Greenville, Texas
ETAMU pulls away in second half to earn first victory of season
- Story byThe Herald Banner, Greenville, Texas
- ETAMU pulls away in second half to earn first victory of season
COMMERCE – East Texas A&M put together a dominant second half Saturday to pull away from Northwestern State for a 38-14 victory at Ernest Hawkins Field at Memorial Stadium.
The Lions scored 31 of the game's final 38 points to pick up their first win of the season and improve to 1-2 overall and 1-1 in Southland Conference play. Northwestern State dropped to 0-3.
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After the teams traded touchdowns in the second quarter, ETAMU took control with its running game and defense. The Lions finished with 419 yards of total offense, including 254 rushing, while limiting the Demons to 189 yards and just 84 on the ground.
Greenville's Micah Simpson provided two of the Lions' biggest plays, scoring on a 50-yard run and later catching a 42-yard touchdown pass from Jack Jacobs . Simpson finished with four receptions for 88 yards.
Major McBride scored twice in the second quarter on runs of 1 and 7 yards. Jordon Hamilton added a 23-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter and finished with 61 yards on eight carries. EJ Oakmon led the Lions with 78 yards on 18 carries.
Jacobs – making his first start – completed 14 of 22 passes for 165 yards and a touchdown.
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Tramar Gilbert led the ETAMU defense with nine tackles, including 2½ for loss and a sack. David Spruiells added five tackles, a forced fumble and a pass breakup and Wesley York Jr. intercepted a pass.
The victory marked the Lions' first home-opening win since 2022 and its first home-opening victory over a conference opponent since 2018.
