The 14th-ranked Lamar University Cardinals struggled to find their rhythm early and UIW built 21-3 first half lead and Big Red simply ran out of time falling 24-17. The Cardinals trailed 24-3 with 2:37 remaining in the third before rallying late to pull within a score.
The Cardinals finished the day with 266 yards of offense, 195 of which came in the second half. Senior Robert Coleman got the start for Lamar completing 18-of-25 passes for 182 yards and a touchdown. The TD pass was hauled in by Jaydn Girard in the fourth quarter to pull Lamar within a score.
After UIW forced a three-and-out on Lamar’s first possession, UIW took the ball and drove 55 yards on 14 plays (6:01) and ended with an E.J. Colson one-yard pass to Jalen Walthall. The lead remained 7-0 until UIW tacked on another score midway through the second quarter.
LU responded to the score by driving the ball 54 yards on six plays to set up a 41-yard field goal attempt which was converted by senior Ben Woodard trimming the deficit to 14-3. Unfortunately, UIW answered quickly responding with a seven-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a 45-yard pass from Colson to Josh Lorick with 38 seconds prior to halftime.
LU finished the half with just 71 yards offense and two first downs. San Antonio’s version of the Cardinals had the ball nine minutes longer than Lamar with 168 yards of offense.
UIW came out in the second half and pushed its lead to 24-3, before Beaumont’s Cardinals got on the scoreboard with a touchdown. Lamar took the ensuing possession 75 yards in 10 plays which was capped by a Joshua Robinson one-yard run (24-10).
The Cardinals got the ball back one last time and Coleman moved the offense 69 yards down the field on 11 plays. The drive ended with an eight-yard pass from Coleman to Girard but Lamar was unable to recover the onsides kick and UIW ran out the clock.
Despite the setback, the Cardinals (7-2/4-1 SLC) are still in control of their own destiny.
Big Red returns to action Saturday when it hosts Southeastern Louisiana. The game against the Lions is set for a 3 p.m. kickoff from Provost Umphrey Stadium.
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