In the first contest between two nationally ranked teams at Provost Umphrey Stadium, the 20th-ranked Lamar University Cardinals shutdown the No. 19 Southeastern Louisiana Lions’ high-powered offense to record a 14-12 victory. In the process, Lamar also tied the school’s single-season record for wins (as a four-year institution) at eight and still have a shot at the all-time record (10 in 1949 as a junior college program).
Big Red’s defense flexed throughout the contest holding the Lions to just 236 yards of offense, including only 56 yards through the air. The Lions completed just five passes on the night and were held off the scoreboard until the third quarter. The Lions did not score their first touchdown of the game until the 7:23 mark of the fourth and it came on a fake field goal.
The victory marks the second time this season that Pete Rossomando’s Cardinals (8-2/5-1 SLC) have responded to a loss by coming out the following week and knocking off a nationally ranked opponent.
Junior Andrew Huff led the defense with a team-high seven stops, including two sacks, while Mar Mar Evans make six tackles and picked off a pass. Beaumont senior Kristian Pugh posted another strong game for LU with five tackles, including one for a loss.
Senior Robert Coleman recorded seven of the team’s eight completions going 7-of-11 for 86 yards and one touchdown (a nine-yard pass to Jacorey Hyder). He also rushed for six yards in the game.
Senior Major Bowden led the Cardinals’ ground attack with 23 carries for 79 yards (3.4 ypc) and one touchdown. Classmate Xavier Coleman added 41 yards on 10 carries.
The Cardinals broke the scoreless tie with 21 seconds remaining in the opening half on the connection from Coleman to Hyder. Although Southeastern would answer with two field goals, Big Red got back on the scoreboard at the 12:37 mark of the fourth when Bowden capped a 15-play, 73-yard drive with a one-yard plunge up the middle to give Lamar an eight-point advantage. The drive took nearly eight minutes off the clock (7:39).
The Lions answered with 22-yard run (form the holder) on a fake field goal and that would serve as the Lions’ lone touchdown of the game as Southeastern was held to its lowest offensive output of the season against an NCAA FCS opponent.
The Cardinals now go in search of consecutive wins against ranked opponents Saturday, Nov. 15th when the travel to Nacogdoches, Texas to take on No. 17 Stephen F. Austin. The game against the Lumberjacks is slated for a 4 p.m. kickoff from Homer Bryce Stadium.
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