The 1996 Texas A&M–Commerce Lions football team represented Texas A&M University–Commerce—as a member of the Lone Star Conference (LSC) during the 1996 NCAA Division II football season. Led by 11th-year head coach Eddie Vowell, the Lions compiled an overall record of 7–4 with a mark of 4–3 in conference play, placing in a three-way tied for third in the LSC. The team played its home games at Memorial Stadium in Commerce, Texas. Texas A&M University–Commerce was renamed from East Texas State University after joining the Texas A&M University System in 1996.
Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Rank | Site | Result | Attendance | Source | 
|---|
| September 7 | Harding* | No. 11 |  | W 43–28 | 7,325 |  | 
| September 14 | Henderson State* | No. 4 | Memorial StadiumCommerce, TX
 | W 19–14 | 2,011 |  | 
| September 21 | at Northwestern State* | No. 4 |  | L 7–33 | 11,256 | [1] | 
| September 28 | at Arkansas–Pine Bluff* | No. 8 |  | W 20–7 | 6,500 |  | 
| October 5 | at No. 3 Central Oklahoma | No. 6 |  | L 21–38 | 1,700 |  | 
| October 12 | No. 8 Texas A&M–Kingsville |  |  | L 28–41 | 8,036 |  | 
| October 19 | at West Texas A&M |  |  | W 31–0 | 3,150 | [2] | 
| October 26 | Eastern New Mexico |  | Memorial StadiumCommerce, TX
 | W 42–10 | 4,674 |  | 
| November 2 | Abilene Christian |  |  | W 17–0 | 2,000 |  | 
| November 9 | Angelo State* | No. 16 | Memorial StadiumCommerce, TX
 | L 32–35 | 3,450 |  | 
| November 16 | at Tarleton State |  |  | W 56–17 | 1,500 |  | 
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[3]
Postseason awards
All-Americans
- Kevin Mathis, First Team
- James Epps, Third Team
- Brett Bertrand, Honorable Mention
All-Lone Star Conference
LSC Superlatives
- Defensive Back of the Year: Kevin Mathis
LSC First Team
- Ralph Bennett, Offensive Tackle
- Brett Bertrand, Defensive End
- Cole Cayce, Quarterback
- David Dell, Kicker
- James Epps, Receiver
- Kevin Mathis, Cornerback
- Jim Suiter, Offensive Tackle
LSC Second Team
- Travis Marshall, Defensive End
LSC Honorable Mention
- Trey Burk, Offensive Guard
- Casey Cowan, Wide Receiver
- Jason Hoffman, Center
- Jermaine McDowell, Running Back
- Neal Searcy, Defensive Back
- Carl Wheeler, Defensive Back [4]
References
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| National championship seasons in bold |