Lamar University’s defense shuts down Houston Christian holding the Huskies’ offense to just three points and 195 yards of total offense (HCU’s lone touchdown came from the defense) as Big Red rolled to a 35-10 Homecoming victory.
While the defense was busy limiting the HCU attack, the Cardinals rolled up 454 yards of offense, with 196 of those coming on the ground. Junior Aiden McCown completed 15-of-23 passes for 240 yards and two touchdowns. He was hurt by one interception which was returned for a score but that would be HCU’s lone touchdown of the game.
McCown connected with seven different players led by five receptions for 86 yards and two scores from Davin Driskell. The senior tight end’s TD receptions were from four and 41 yards out, and the 41-yarder saw him run through two would-be tacklers for the score.
Seven different Cardinals carried the ball Saturday as the team rushed for 196 yards on 45 carries (4.4 ypc) and three scores. The ground assault was led by junior Jojo Uga who had 16 carries for 83 yards and two touchdowns (2 and 6 yards).
The Cardinals’ defensive effort was led by T.J. Nelson who recorded 10 tackles including 1.5 sacks. Senior Andrew Huff was second on the team with five tackles, three unassisted stops, 1.0 sack, two forced fumbles and one recovered fumble.
“I think at this point, every game we play is going to be like a championship game not just because of who we are, but where we are in the standings,” said LU head coach Pete Rossomando. “Every team is trying to climb the ladder. So, every game is going to be a nip-and-tuck game. We are going to have to play a little better than our opponents each week to get out (with a win). I thought we played really well defensively the entire day. Offensively, we knew it was going to be a slow burn early. That is just the way they play on defense.
“In the second half, the defense comes out and gets the ball back for our offense in great position and we manage to take it down and score. I think that wound up being the difference in the game. The defense got us a couple of turnovers and that always helps. We also ran the ball effectively,” added Rossomando.
After Lamar was unable to convert a field goal attempt on its first possession, the Huskies would drive the ball down the field for the game’s first score – a 26-yard field goal late in the first, but Lamar would respond. Early in the fourth quarter, McCown found Driskell all alone in the back of the end zone from four yards out for the first of his two scores. The score capped a seven-play, 75-yard drive that took 4:03 off the clock.
Big Red was back on the attack later in the half on a drive that was set up by a fumble force and recovery from Huff. On a 3rd-and-14 play, Huff got to the quarterback but managed to not only strip the ball but also fall on it. Four plays later, LU was back in the end zone following a two-yard plunge from Uga.
It would be the Cardinals’ final score of the half, but Houston Christian ended the opening half with what appeared to be a momentum turning play when Javon Bejarano picked off McCown and returned it 55 yards for the score with 27 seconds remaining before halftime.
Big Red’s defense didn’t allow HCU to maintain the momentum. The Huskies got the ball to start the second half but Lamar returned the favor by forcing another turnover on the third play of the drive – again forced by Huff. The Cardinals recovered the ball and five players later found paydirt on a handoff to Uga.
It would be the first of three unanswered second-half scores to close out the contest as Lamar would tack on a 41-yard pass from McCown to Driskell to go along with a 15-yard Cam Patterson run up the middle.
The Cardinals will look to make it consecutive wins on Halloween when they travel to Edinburg, Texas – for the first time in program history – to take on UT Rio Grande Valley. The contest against the Vaqueros is scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. from Vackar Stadium.
(photo Jarrod Brown)
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