The East Central University football team will be heading to Copperas Cove, Texas for the 2014 C.H.A.M.P.S. Heart of Texas Bowl against Texas A&M - Commerce, Saturday, Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. at Bulldawg Stadium.  

Game Notes
 
The Broadcast: ECU's radio home for Tiger football is Ada's KXFC, 105.5, FM 'The X-Factor'. Mike Manos returns to broadcast the games for his 18th consecutive season. Manos has worked 188 Tiger games since taking over the play-by-play duties in 1997.

The Coverage: Fans who can't be at the game can find links to live stats, live video and the KXFC radio broadcast on ECUTigers.com.  Go to the football schedule page.  You can also download the KXFC radio app for your smartphone by searching '105.5 the X Factor.'

Koi Ishto Stadium: At the 2014 ECU Tiger Kickoff Dinner and Auction, ECU President John Hargrave announced that the stadium at Norris Field would be renamed Koi Ishto Stadium in honor of the relationship between ECU and the Chickasaw Nation.  Koi Ishto means big cat in the Chickasaw language.  A formal dedication was held Saturday at 11:30 a.m. on Chickasaw Appreciation Day.

Bowl Game Appearances: This is the first post-season appearance for the Tigers since 1993 when they made the run to the NAIA National Championship and the first Bowl Game since 1975 when they fell to Henderson State (14-27) in the Bicentennial Bowl. ECU has been in a total of five bowl games pervious to the 2014 season, going 1-4 in those outings.

1959 - Christmas Bowl - L, 0-19 to Delta State
1960 - Rice Bowl - W, 25-7 to Henderson State
1962 - All-Sports Bowl - L, 21-34 to Nebraska-Omaha
1964 - All-Sports Bowl - L, 13-21 to Sul Rose State
1975 - Bicentennial Bowl - L, 14-27 to Henderson State

Scouting Texas A&M-Commerce: The Lions finished the regular season with an 8-3 overall record and a 6-1 mark in the Lone Star Conference.  TAMC's last outing was a 33-35 loss to Angelo State in the LSC Playoff title game.

The Lions are averaging 52.5 points per game and allowing 30.3, but have put 90+ points on the scoreboard twice this season already.  TAMC is a passing team, with 4,015 passing yards and just 1,797 yards on the rush for the season.  They also defend better against the rush, with 1,858 yards allowed on the ground and 3,162 in the air.  The Lions have had some trouble keeping the ball, having thrown nine interceptions and lost 11-of-24 fumbles.  The Lions are strong when they get in the red zone, going 57-of-65 for the year.

Tyrik Rollison is the offense leader on the team, going 210-of-323 passing and being responsible for 27 touchdowns.  Ricky Collins and Vernon Johnson are his go-to receivers.  Collins has 64 catches for 1,075 yards and 12 TDs, while Johnson adds 73 catches for 1,067 yards and 10 touchdowns.  When they do put the ball on the ground it is probably going to Joe Bergeron or Richard Cooper.  Bergeron has 148 attempts for 859 yards and 12 TDs, while Cooper adds 125 rushes for 704 yards and five scores.

On defense the three key players to watch are Charles Woods, Cole Pitts and Toni Pulu.  Woods leads the team with 114 (56-58) total tackles, 12.5 tackles-for-loss (57 yards), three breakups, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.  Pitts adds 74 (34-40) total tackles and 13.0 TFL (43 yards).  Pulu has just 49 (22-27) total tackles, but 17.5 TFL (78 yards) and 7.0 (49 yards) sacks.

The Series: The Tigers and the Lions have battled on 20 previous occasions, with ECU trailing 5-14-1 in the all-time series.  The Tigers have fared a little better (3-4) since joining the NCAA when the teams started at Lone Star Conference foes.  The series includes one other neutral site meeting Oct. 18, 2008 when ECU fell 15-27.  However, the Tigers earned the victory in the last meeting with TAMC Nov. 6, 2010 (36-33) on the road.

Holland Hauling in Honors: Senior defensive end Daniel Holland has been recognized by for his efforts on the field, by being named to the 2014 Daktronics All-Super Region 3 Defense Second Team.  Holland is one of 16 players from the GAC to earn a spot on the teams.

Changing the Record Books: Two of ECU's players have already made changes to the Tigers Record Book this season, setting single season records.  Junior Jameel Whitney has already set the single season record for total tackles, with 104.  The old record was 102 set in 1993 by Rodney Kendricks.  Senior JoJo Snell has also rewritten a record set during the 1993 season, with his 492 kick return yards in a season.  The previous record was 454 by Corey Bennett.  The Tigers will also have a chance to reset a team single season record they set just a year ago.  ECU has currently allowed 1,432 yards of rushing yards by the opposition, with the current record being 1,485 (2013).

All-GAC Honors: A total of 11 players have been honored by the Great American Conference for the 2014 season.  Three were named to the All-GAC First Team, two to the Second Team and six to the Honorable Mention Team.  Seniors JoJo Snell (RB) and Daniel Holland (DE) and junior Travis Henning (OL) were all named to the first team, while seniors Micheal Allen (TE) and Kellan Taeatafa-De La Rosa (S) were both named to the All-GAC Second Team.   The largest number of players landed on the honorable mention team, with sophomore David Moore (WR), senior Marcus Beale (OL), senior JuJu Turituri (DT), junior Jameel Whitney (ILB), senior Qumain Black (CB) and redshirt sophomore David Massuere (K) being named to the team.

Shutting Down the Competition: With the 15-0 shutout win over Arkansas Tech in Russellville, Ark., the Tigers recorded their first shutout since Sept. 25, 2010 when they defeated Southwestern Oklahoma State 23-0 at home.  It also marked the first time since Sept. 7, 1991 that they earned a road shutout when they defeated Tarleton State 16-0.

Defensive Challenge: ECU's defense has been a key to victories, holding the opposition to under 275 yards in four outings and under 200 in two of those games.  The Tigers held Arkansas Tech to 161 yards of total offense, Southwestern to 269 yards, Northwestern to 120 yards and Southeastern to 225 yards.

Daniel Making a Name For Himself: The ECU defense has been known for taking down the opposing team's quarterback this season, with 30 sacks for 198 yards.  Leading the charge is senior Daniel Holland, who has a GAC record for 12.0 sacks in a single season, with one game left to play.

Welcome Back Qumain: After missing three weeks, senior Qumain Black had a strong performance for the Tigers against Southwestern.  Black tallied seven (5-2) total tackles, 1.0 TFL (3 yards), one forced fumble and a pass breakup.

Jameel Stepping In: Junior Jameel Whitney added to his career highlight reel in the win over Southwestern at homecoming.  The Oklahoma City, Okla., native, who leads the team in total tackles, intercepted his first pass in 2014 and returned it 29 yards for a touchdown.  It was just his second career interception and his first pick-6.

Near Record Crowd: The crowd at the 2014 Homecoming game was close to a record for the Tigers at 3,808.  It marked the largest crowd for an ECU game since Nov. 9, 2009 when Norris Field hosted 4,000 for the battle with Southeastern.

Cole's Crazy Day: Junior Cole Weber had probably one of the best and craziest days of his football career against Northwestern Oklahoma State, as the linebacker scored twice for the Tigers.  Weber's first touchdown was the game-winner for ECU, which he scored on a blocked punt.  Lexus Jackson blocked the punt and Weber was there to scoop up the ball and run it back for the TD in the first quarter.  He then added the final TD of the game when he picked up a blocked field goal attempt by the Tigers and scrambled into the end zone.

Against the Best: While playing the No. 7 team in the nation (Henderson State), the Tigers spared no fight.  ECU ended the game on the losing end, but scored more points against the Reddies than any other team that had faced them in 2014.  The Tigers also sacked quarterback Kevin Rodgers four times, two from senior Daniel Holland alone.  Rodgers had been sacked just once in the previous three games played in 2014.

Trick Plays: In the Tigers game against No. 7 HSU, ECU came out with a lot of tricks up its sleeves.  The Tigers used a fake field-goal attempt to earn a rushing TD by junior Spencer Bond, blocked a punt that was taken in the end zone and recovered by senior Deon Criss at the six and recovered on-side kick attempt that bounced off an opponent's shoe and right into the hands of junior Nathan Pickett.

Dangerous David: Sophomore David Moore has stepped up and proven that he is someone that you need to keep covered defensively.  Moore connected with junior Spencer Bond for three receiving touchdowns against Ouachita Baptist, tripling his TD performance from his freshman season.

Holland's Defensive Highlights: Senior Daniel Holland is having a good year on defense for the Tigers.  The Miami, Fla., native is currently ranked No. 6 in the nation for sacks per game (1.2) and No. 30 in TFL per game (1.6).  Holland has recorded 39 (20-19) tackles, 12.0 sacks (79 yards), 16.0 TFL (102 yards), six quarterback hurries, forced two fumbles, and recovered one.

Earning Attention: For the first time since 2004, the Tigers earned a vote in the AFCA Division II Coaches Top-25 Poll for Sept. 15 and again Nov. 3.  ECU earned one vote in the poll for Week 2 and Week 9.  ECU was one of four teams from the GAC in the poll in Week 9 in some fashion, with Ouachita Baptist is No. 9, Henderson State is No. 14 and Harding is No. 16.

Bond Gaining Recognition: After a standout performance against Southern Arkansas, junior Spencer Bond was named the GAC Offensive Player of the Week for Sept. 15 and The Oklahoman State College Football Player of the Week.

Bond accounted for all six of the Tigers' touchdowns as he helped rally ECU back from a 0-20 deficit to defeat Southern Arkansas. The Madill, Okla., native threw for 339 yards with two scores and rushed for 134 yards and four touchdowns, including an 80-yard score. The 134 rush yards represented the fifth-highest total for a GAC quarterback. He placed two punts inside the 20-yard line.

All-American Play: In the final minute of the game at Arkansas-Monticello, senior Qumain Black came up with an All-American play to secure the Tigers' 38-34 win.  Black reached up for a pass at the same time as Boll Weevil Ivory Washington in the end zone, with Black coming away with the ball for the touchback.

Go JoJo Go: Senior JoJo Snell came out of the gates running, recording a career-high 157 rushing yards and 224 all-purpose yards against UAM.  It was the first time Snell tallied over 200 yards in a game.  The Moss Point, Miss., native also garnered two touchdowns.

Holland GAC Defender of the Week: Senior Daniel Holland came out of the gates ready to battle in his final season in an orange and black uniform and has claimed Great American Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors for his efforts.

In the opening game of the season against Arkansas-Monticello, Holland helped the Tigers (1-0) earn a 38-34 come-from-behind victory.  The Miami, Fla., native tallied four (3-2) total tackles, a quarterback hurry, forced one fumble and added 3.5 tackles-for-loss and 3.0 sacks for 23 yards.   His TFL, sacks and sack yardage were all career highs and helped the defense hold UAM to just 22 yards rushing for the game.  The low yardage ranked ECU No. 4 in the nation for rushing defense after the opening weekend of NCAA DII action.  Holland was also ranked No. 6 in the nation in TFL (3.5) and No. 4 in Sacks (3.0)

Preseason Attention: Several members of the Tigers roster have been gaining attention during the preseason from different organizations.  Senior Qumain Black was a USA College Football Preseason All-America First Team Defense selection as well as a NewsOK.com Preseason All-Star selection.  

Senior JuJu Turituri also claimed USA College Football Preseason honors as a second team defensive pick and a NewsOK.com selection.

Junior Travis Hening (offense) and senior Kellan Taeatafa-De La Rosa (defense) were named to the USA College Football All-America Third Teams.  Hening was also selected to the NewsOK.com team, with junior Spencer Bond on offense.

From the Playing Field to Coaching: The majority of the ECU coaching staff consists of familiar names for Tiger football fans.  Eight of the current coaches were members of the ECU football program as collegiate athletes.  Rashad Jackson, Chad Roark, Austin Crisler, Fred Gaines, Dustin Lasell, Tyler McGrew, George Robbins and Reuben Tiller have all worn an orange and black uniform before moving to a leadership role.