A&M-Commerce linebacker Cole Pitts has been named the Lone Star Conference’s Defensive Player of the Week becoming the fifth Lion, and third defensive player, this season to be recognized.
Pitts, a junior from Alvin, Texas, led the No. 23 ranked Lions past West Texas A&M limiting the Buffs offense to only 398 yards in the 48-21 win. Pitts and the Lion’s defense limited the Buffs to just three plays in the first quarter, while the Lions dominated time of possession to a tune of 11:29 to 3:31. In the second quarter, Pitts had four of his 10 tackles, but it was the second half where he established himself. In the third quarter, he had three more tackles including 1.5 for a loss, but his biggest contribution came at the end of third when he picked off a pass and took it 50 yards for the touchdown. It was Pitts’ first career pick and first career touchdown. In the fourth quarter, he added three more tackles including a pair of tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
All told, the Lions limited the Buffs to only 153 yards through the air. A&M-Commerce, ranked second in the NCAA in tackles for a loss, accumulated 10 tackles behind the line.
A&M-Commerce also moved up one spot from No.23 to No. 22 in the ACFA Top 25 Coaches’ Poll as announced by organizations office Monday. The Lions, who found themselves ranked for the first time since 2001, are ranked for the second straight week, also for the first time since the 2001 season.
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