Just a week after winning a game with three seconds on the clock, senior kicker Ben Woodard stepped into the spotlight Saturday and drilled a career-long 57-yard field goal to had Lamar University thrilling 23-21 Homecoming victory over UT Rio Grande Valley at Provost Umphrey Stadium.
The game-winning kick – Woodard’s second kick of at least 50 yards on the day – tied the mark for longest kick in program history (Mike Andrie, 1987, vs. Arkansas State).
Lamar (6-1/3-0 SLC) recorded 375 yards of total offense while holding the Vaqueros to 189 yards, but two late turnovers allowed UTRGV to not only get back into the game but also take a fourth quarter lead.
Sophomore Aiden McCown continues to improve on a week-by-week basis moving to 5-0 as a starter after completing 17-of-23 passes (.739) for 203 yards and two touchdowns. He also led the team with 15 carries for 88 yards. The Cardinals outgained UTRGV on the ground, 155-83.
Defensively, LU was led by junior Kei’Trone Simpson’s eight tackles, including one for a sack, while C.J. Miller and Ronnie Hamrick each added seven stops. Sophomore Mar Mar Evans came up with the interception to seal the deal (to go along with his two tackles).
Early on, it appeared the Cardinals would run and hide building a 17-0 first half lead. UTRGV was unable to dent the scoreboard until two minutes remaining in the opening half, but two turnovers – a fumble deep in their own territory and one on a punt return – flipped the momentum into the hands of the Vaqueros.
After Woodard converted his first of two 50-plus yard field goals to close out the opening half, UTRGV rattled off 14-unanswered to take a one-point lead, 21-20, with 9:38 remaining. That lead lasted until 1:03 on the clock.
The Cardinals got the ball back with 3:21 remaining and took advantage of the opportunity. LU moved the ball 48 yards on 13 plays, but the drive stalled on the UTRGV 40. Head coach Pete Rossomando turned to Woodard for the game-winner and the Plano native came through.
The Cardinals will look to continue their best start since 1974, and remain atop the Southland standings, Saturday when they travel to Natchitoches, La., to take on Northwestern State. The contest against the Demons is set for a 4 p.m. kick off from Turpin Stadium. (photo Jeff Kellum)
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