1997 Texas A&M–Commerce Lions football team

The 1997 Texas A&M–Commerce Lions football team represented Texas A&M University-Commerce in the 1997 NCAA Division II football season. They were led by head coach Eddie Vowell, who was in his 12th season at A&M-Commerce. The Lions played their home games at Memorial Stadium and were members of the Lone Star Conference (LSC). The Lions finished 11th in the LSC. It was the second losing season in a decade for the Lion football program.

1997 Texas A&M–Commerce Lions football
Conference	Lone Star Conference
Record	3–8 (2–5 LSC)
Head coach	Eddie Vowell (12th season)
Home stadium	Memorial Stadium

1997 Lone Star Conference football standings

	Conf							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
Overall
No. 4 Texas A&M–Kingsville $^		9	–	0					9	–	2
No. 6 Angelo State ^		8	–	1					10	–	2
Central Oklahoma		7	–	2					9	–	2
West Texas A&M		6	–	3					7	–	4
SW Oklahoma State		5	–	4					5	–	5
Abilene Christian		5	–	4					7	–	4
Northeastern State		4	–	4					4	–	7
SE Oklahoma State		3	–	5					3	–	7
Harding		3	–	5					5	–	5
Ouachita Baptist		3	–	5					4	–	6
Texas A&M–Commerce		3	–	6					3	–	8
Eastern New Mexico		3	–	6					5	–	6
Midwestern State		3	–	6					3	–	7
Tarleton State		3	–	6					4	–	7
East Central		0	–	8					0	–	10
North
Central Oklahoma x		5	–	1					9	–	2
SW Oklahoma State x		5	–	1					5	–	5
Northeastern State		4	–	2					4	–	7
Harding		3	–	3					5	–	5
Ouachita Baptist		3	–	3					4	–	6
SE Oklahoma State		1	–	5					3	–	7
East Central		0	–	6					0	–	10
South
No. 4 Texas A&M–Kingsville x$^		7	–	0					9	–	2
No. 6 Angelo State ^		6	–	1					10	–	2
Abilene Christian		4	–	3					7	–	4
West Texas A&M		4	–	3					7	–	4
Eastern New Mexico		2	–	5					5	–	6
Tarleton State		2	–	5					4	–	7
Texas A&M–Commerce		3	–	5					3	–	8
Midwestern State		1	–	6					3	–	7
$ – Conference champion ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant Rankings from NCAA Division II Football Committee poll

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Source
September 6	at North Dakota State*	Fargodome Fargo, ND	L 0–51
September 13	vs. Abilene Christian*	Pennington Field Bedford, TX	L 10–26
September 18	Southeastern Oklahoma State*	Memorial Stadium Commerce, TX	L 14–15
September 27	at Southwestern Oklahoma State*	Milam Stadium Weatherford, OK	W 7–17
October 4	Midwestern State	Memorial Stadium Commerce, TX	W 49–7
October 11	at No. 7 Texas A&M–Kingsville	Javelina Stadium Kingsville, TX (Chennault Cup)	L 6–34
October 18	West Texas A&M	Memorial Stadium Commerce, TX	W 21–14
October 25	at Eastern New Mexico	Greyhound Stadium Blackwater Draw, NM	L 9–10
November 1	Abilene Christian	Memorial Stadium Commerce, TX	L 9–19
November 9	at No. 3 Angelo State	San Angelo Stadium San Angelo, TX	L 21–40
November 15	Tarleton State	Memorial Stadium Commerce, TX	L 21–49
*Non-conference game Rankings from AFCA Poll released prior to the game

Postseason awards

All-Americans

• Trent Dagen, Honorable Mention Tight End

LSC Superlatives

• Offensive Lineman of the Year: Trent Dagen

LSC First Team

• Will Schale, Punter

LSC Second Team

• Trent Dagen, Tight End
• Carl Mitchell, Linebacker
• Traco Rachel, Defensive Back

LSC Honorable Mention

• Shon Adams, Defensive Back
• Bret Bertrand, Defensive End
• Kelvin Bradley, Linebacker
• Casey Cowan, Receiver
• Donald Gross, Defensive Tackle
• Antonio Wilson, Linebacker
• Jessie Young, Defensive Tackle