BEAUMONT, Texas – There was a lot of hype surrounding the NCAA FCS National Game of the Week Saturday and Lamar University did not disappoint knocking off No. 15 Abilene Christian in a thriller, 21-14, at Provost Umphrey Stadium.
The game, which was one of two top 25 matchups at the NCAA FCS level in the opening week, marked the fourth Lamar win over a top-25 program in the past three seasons. Prior to Rossomando’s arrival Lamar had not won a game against a top-25 opponent since 2019.
Saturday also marked the first time LU kicked off the year with a top-25 win since the 1981 victory at Baylor, where Big Red defeated the defending Southwest Conference Champions and 20th-ranked Bears.
While ACU managed to outgain Lamar, 358-278, the Cardinals had more than a three-minute time of possession advantage. The Cardinals also took advantage of 12 ACU penalties (for 106 yards) and the defense picked up right where it left off last season coming up with the key play when it needed to, including two big interceptions.
Aiden McCown got the start and completed 17-of-32 passes for 183 yards and three touchdowns. The Rusk native connected with eight different receivers led by newcomer Davin Driskell who hauled in five receptions for 34 yards and two touchdowns.
As a team, the Cardinals rushed 34 times for 95 yards, led by Parker Jenkins’ 14 carries for 56 yards (4.0 ypr).
Lamar’s defense was led by Bryce McDonald’s seven tackles (two solo stops), while junior Mar Mar Evans had five tackles (four solos) to go along with two breakups and a quarterback hurry. Freshman Mason Wuenschel ended the night with three tackles and his first interception as a Cardinal. Lamar’s other interception was made by sophomore Zaylon Stoker.
The Cardinals broke the scoreless tie midway through the first quarter when McCown hit Driskell from five yards out for the first score of the season. The score capped a 10-play, 72-yard drive that took nearly six minutes off the clock.
The score would remain 7-0 until right before halftime with the pace picked up. The Wildcats – who never led in the contest – managed to pull even with a Romelo Boykin eight-yard pass from John David Black from eight yards out with less than two minutes in the half. The 13-play, 77-yard drive would not go unanswered as McCown and company went right back on the march.
It took LU just 1:41 to march 75 yards on six plays to reclaim the lead when McCown hit Blake Thomas from 33 yards out and just 13 seconds until half time.
The third quarter went by without a change in the scoreboard but seven seconds into the fourth McCown connected with Driskell again, this time from five yards out, to take a 14-point lead, 21-7.
It would take the Wildcats nearly 11 minutes to answer. After a Christian Driver four-year touchdown reception, ACU managed to get the ball back with 2:01 remaining and one timeout. The Wildcats moved the ball down inside the Cardinals’ 5 with 19 seconds remaining, but a fourth-down carry by Black came up short when Andrew Huff pushed the ACU signal caller out of bounds. To make matters worse for the visitors, they were flagged for a holding violation which LU declined and Big Red take over on downs.
The Cardinals will now turn their focus to a long three-game road swing that will carry them through the month of September and into Southland Conference play. The Red and White return to action Saturday, Sept. 5, when they travel to Lafayette, La., to take on the Ragin’ Cajuns. The game against ULL will kick off at 7 p.m. and be streamed on ESPN+.
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