LAKE CHARLES, La. – Jakolby Longino completed a 20-yard pass to Kyndon Fuselier on the final play of the game to give the Cardinals a thrilling 26-24 victory over McNeese Saturday evening in Cowboy Stadium.
The game-winning touchdown was the second game winner as Lamar had completed a pass for a score from five yards out that was called back due to offensive pass interference. After the dust had settled, the Cardinals had one untimed down and the Cardinals took advantage of the opportunity to win the Battle of the Border rivalry game for a second consecutive season.
The victory ends Lamar’s season with a 7-5 overall record which gives LU back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1966 and 1967. It also the first time LU has won consecutive games against McNeese since 1966 and 1967.
Lamar finished the game with 404 yards of total offense including 247 on the ground. Down the league’s leading rusher, the Cardinals turned to another senior back in R.J. Carver who finished his LU career with a game to remember. He carried the ball 22 times for 122 yards and one touchdown. Quarterback Robert Coleman wrapped up his collegiate career by completing 8-of-15 passes for 100 yards and a score, and 12 carries for 96 yards.
Junior receiver Kyndon Fuselier hauled in five passes for 69 yards and the game-winning score while Sevonne Rhea made three grabs for 67 yards and a TD.
DeJuan Lewis and Tah Banda led the Cardinals’ defensive effort. Both players made nine stops each, and Banda finished the night with a tackle for a loss.
Lamar jumped out to a 17-0 lead midway through the first half. The Cardinals opened the scoring with a two-yard run right up the middle from Carver. The touchdown capped a four-play, 58-yard drive.
Lamar was right back on the attack to take a 10-point lead on a Ben Woodard 35-yard field goal with three minutes remaining in the first. It became a 17-point lead when Coleman connected with Sevonne Rhea on a 41-yard connection.
The Cowboys closed out the first half scoring a touchdown with less than three minutes remaining in the half. The two teams traded field goals in the third – including a Lamar field goal the Cards were forced to take on third down due to a mistake on the downs on the field following unsportsmanlike penalty against McNeese.
Lamar would eventually get the ball back and take it the length of the field. On a fourth and short, Coleman rushed the ball up the middle and appeared to be well across the goal line. There was no signal from the officials for the touchdown and Lamar lost Coleman in the process.
McNeese managed to rally for two fourth quarter scores to take a late lead. It appeared they were going to walk away with the win before the Cardinals managed to come away with one final drive for the game winner.
Lamar’s game-winning drive covered 77 yards on 13 plays and took the final 1:37 off the clock.
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