STEPHENVILLE -- In a battle of Lone Star Conference rivals, No. 6 Tarleton State withstood a late rally by No. 15 Texas A&M-Commerce and advanced to the NCAA DII regional final round with a thrilling 34-28 win in front of an over capacity crowd of 5,231. The defending national champions would not go quietly as the Lions scored the game’s final 13 points and were driving toward a possible game-winning touchdown when a fumble sealed the game for the Texans. Ben Holmes completed 10-of-21 passes for 206 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions and added 94 rushing yards on eight carries to lead the Texans while Daniel McCants gained 181 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 19 carries. Kane Wilson completed 25-of-60 passes for 388 yards with one touchdown and an interception to lead the Lions while Marquis Wimberly had seven receptions for 139 yards.

SENIOR LEADERS

The stats do not tell the entire story of Ben Holmes’ importance to the Tarleton State offense. The senior from Orchard Park, N.Y. injured his leg during a run early in the second quarter and was helped off the field. He returned wearing a brace after missing only one drive. His leg continued to bother him throughout the game and in a moment rarely seen in sports, an offensive lineman would carry Holmes down the field to the line of scrimmage after a long play for the Texans.  

“In my 31 years he’s one of my all-time favorites. He loves to play ball, loves to practice. His teammates hold him in high regard," Tarleton head coach Todd Whitten said during the postgame press conference. "He’s from Buffalo and he’s kind of got some of that Buffalo toughness.” 

Texas A&M-Commerce was also bolstered throughout the game by their senior leaders. Senior linebacker Garrett Blubaugh set a new school record for tackles in a game with 21 total tackles including 12 solo. Fellow senior Kristov Martinez continued to break records in his final game as a Lion. The Lone Star Conference Academic Player of the Year tied an NCAA DII playoff record with five made field goals in the game as he connected from 19, 38, 33, 53, and a career long 55-yard field goal. Martinez also became the NCAA DII all-time career kick scorer as he finishes his remarkable career with 448 points. Lions head coach Colby Carthel raved about his seniors, “This guy’s (Blubaugh) an elite 90 award winner for a reason. This guy’s (Blubaugh) graduating early to go to med school. These guys are just successful people. I’m excited to look up 20 years from now and see where Kristov Martinez is to see all the records he’s breaking as a husband and a father and this guy (Blubaugh) as a doctor.” 

HISTORIC SEASON

At a school where the basketball team is familiar to postseason success, this season is the greatest season in the history of the Tarleton State football program. The Texans will play in the regional finals next week for the first time in school history. Tarleton has also set a record for most wins in a season (12) and have won their second consecutive NCAA DII playoff game and only their fifth in school history with four of their playoff wins while Whitten has been head coach. The Texans are ranked in the top 10 in the country in scoring offense (49.2), scoring defense (15.7), rushing offense (319.3), and rushing defense (87.9).

Another outstanding season has come to an end for the defending national champions. Texas A&M-Commerce has become a premier football program in the NCAA. The Lions senior class set a school record for wins in a four-year period with 43. This game was the Lions third straight appearance in the regional semifinal and fourth straight appearance overall in the NCAA DII playoffs. Only Texas A&M-Kingsville has a longer streak in Lone Star Conference history as they earned seven straight playoff appearances from 1992-1998. Lone Star Conference Coach of the Year Carthel ranks fifth in TAMUC history in coaching wins with 59 in his five seasons.

THE MARCH CONTINUES

Tarleton State will make their first appearance in the national quarterfinals next week as they play No. 1 Minnesota State Mankato on Saturday. The time of the game is still to be determined. The Texans are still on a march toward the national championship game which will be hosted by the Lone Star Conference and held at McKinney ISD stadium on Dec. 15. If the Texans win next weekend, they could host a national semifinal game as the four remaining teams will be reseeded by the NCAA DII selection committee.

Texas A&M-Commerce will reload on defense for next season as they lose eight players listed on the two-deep roster. The Lions will have plenty of firepower returning as kickoff and punt return specialist Dominique Ramsey will return along with seven of the 11 starters on offense including quarterback Wilson and four of their five starting offensive linemen.