By Jeremy Short

Phoenix Correspondent

TAHLEQUAH — A homecoming crowd of over 7,000 watched the RiverHawks squander a 24-point lead in a heartbreaking 38-37 loss to Texas A&M-Commerce Saturday at Doc Wadley Stadium.

“I told them they did exactly what I asked them to do,” NSU coach Kenny Evans said of his players. “I’m proud of them for that.”

In the second quarter the RiverHawks appeared to be in total control after Curtis Mayfield scored on a 25-yard interception return to give NSU a 27-3 lead with 5:01 left.

After adding a touchdown before halftime, Commerce (3-3, 1-1 Lone Star Conference North) capitalized on a pair of special teams blunders to get back in the game in the third quarter.

Taylor Fore blocked a pair of punts deep in NSU territory; the first resulted in a 24-yard return for a touchdown by Arsennial Richardson and the second gave Commerce the ball on the NSU 3-yard line. The Lions scored three plays later on a 2-yard touchdown run by quarterback Terry Mayo to cut the deficit to 34-31 with 14:53 left in the game.

“In the second half they blocked some punts and it was what we prepared against all week,” said Evans.

With 4:46 left, Homer booted his third field goal of the night, this time a 43-yarder to push the RiverHawks lead to six.

Mayo then gave the Lions the lead with 2:36 left when he punched in a 1-yard touchdown run.

Mayo finished the game with 204 yards passing, 31 yards rushing, and 3 total touchdowns to lead Commerce.

NSU (0-6, 0-2 LSC North) got the ball back and within field goal range but Homer’s 52-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right to seal the victory for the Lions.

Receiver Jarrett Byers shined for NSU in the loss. He had 254 total yards, 170 of those on kickoff returns, and three touchdowns. Byers set the school record for kickoff return yards in a game.

“He’s unreal,” said Evans. “Offensively, we just have to throw it up and he’ll go get it.”