BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University allowed just three points in the second half to No. 4 South Dakota defeating the Coyotes, 20-13, Saturday evening in its 2025 home opener. It is the highest-ranked win, according to Lamar records, in the program history.
The Coyotes edged Lamar in terms of total yards, 243-204, but 158 of those yards came in the first half. Lamar’s defense pitched a near shutout in the second half holding the Coyotes to just three points on 85 yards. Big Red also stepped up to force three turnovers – two fumbles and an interception. One of the fumbles came on the LU one yard line when it appeared South Dakota was driving in for a go-ahead score with seconds remaining in the opening half only to have Christian Booker strip the ball away which was recovered by Jaden Maronen in the end zone.
Senior quarterback Robert Coleman completed 8-of-16 (.500) passes for 65 yards and added 13 rushes for 21 yards and a score – including a couple of key rushes to extend drives late in the contest. Senior Major Bowden led the Cardinals’ ground attack with 14 carries for 48 yards.
Senior Brayden Faulkner led the Cardinals’ defensive effort with seven tackles including three unassisted, while C.J. Miller added five stops including one for a loss. Senior Ronnie Hamrick had five tackles, including one for a loss, and recovered a fumble. Beaumont native Kristian Pugh made five stops and picked off a pass (an interception which led to Lamar taking its first lead of the night).
The game did not get off to a great start for the Red and White falling behind 10-0 in the game’s opening 6:15 but Lamar did not panic. The Cardinals closed the first quarter with a Ben Woodard 30-yard field goal to get on the board. LU was back on the attack moments later after USD fumbled the ensuing kickoff. The botched return was recovered by Hamrick on the Coyotes’ 25 and would set up the game-tying score.
Seizing on the momentum shift, Coleman guide the Cardinals 25 yards on six plays calling his own number on a 4th-and-goal from the one to pull LU even (following Woodard’s PAT). The defenses then stepped up to keep both teams off the board for the remainder of the half.
The second half started with Lamar going three-and-out but Pugh and Lamar’s defense got the ball back three plays later as USD’s quarterback was picked off at the Cardinals’ 34. That play set up a Woodard 26-yard field goal to give Lamar its first lead of the game and Lamar never trailed after that.
While the Coyotes would answer with a field goal of their own on the next drive to tie the game, Lamar was up to the challenge. Coleman and company got the ball back and took it 69 yards on 11 plays (5:37) ending with a Joshua Robinson five-yard plunge up the middle for the score – his first in the Lamar Red and White – the Cards’ second and final lead of the game. Woodard tacked on the PAT for good measure.
After regaining the advantage, Lamar’s defense began to flex halting the next USD drive at its own 46. The Coyotes got the ball back one last time but that drive was turned over on downs four plays later.
Big Red returns to action Saturday, Sept. 13th when they travel down I-10 to square off with Texas Southern. The game against the Tigers is set for a 6 p.m. kick off and will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560.
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