BEAUMONT, Texas – The LU offense put up 25 points to beat the Big Red defense, 25-23, Saturday afternoon in the 2016 Crawfish Bowl at Provost Umphrey Stadium. The annual scrimmage signals the end of spring camp every season.
 
After getting out to a slow start in the opening half the Cardinals came out with a renewed sense of energy in the scrimmage's final half to edge out their counterparts. The LU quarterbacks were only 1-of-5 to start the game, and the one completion was a one yarder to Alvin Phillips before Earp completed a four-yard pass to Emmitt Raleigh in the front corner of the end zone for the offense's first score.
 
"I didn't like our intensity early, but I thought we picked it up as the scrimmage went along," said LU head coach Ray Woodard. "I challenged them at halftime and I like how our guys brought it to the field in the second half. It was good to see some of our younger players come on."
 
Big Red's quarterbacks finished the game 14-of-36 (.389) for 97 yards and the one touchdown, but did throw two interceptions, and had another pass broken up in the end zone. One of the team's two interceptions was in the red zone, which marks the third consecutive scrimmage that LU has had a pass intercepted inside its opponent's 20.
 
"Those plays either make or break you," said Woodard. "But now we have film on this and great examples to study and learn from, and we'll be better. Obviously when you get in the red zone you want to punch it in, but the other side of that is for the defense that's exactly what you want to see. It's tough to be pleased with both side of the ball in a scrimmage."
 
The Cardinals defense was led by senior-to-be Xavier Bethany who finished the day with a team-high six tackles, including five solo stops. Kevin O'Neill continued doing what he has done all spring as he posted five tackles, including two for losses, and a quarterback hurry. Rising senior Brendan Langley added three tackles and broke up two passes, while Matt Johnson had four stops.
 
The LU ground attack had another strong outing without the services of 2015 All-American Kade Harrington. The Cardinals carried the ball 43 times for 223 yards and a score, but most of their damage came in the second half.
 
Emmitt Raleigh led the way with 22 carries for 54 yards including three rushes of at least eight yards, but it was sophomore Emmanuel Atoyebi who produced the offense's biggest highlight of the day. Atoyebi broke his third and final carry for 68 yards and a touchdown early in the second half. He finished the day with 72 yards. Navasota, Texas product, Derrion Randle added 12 carries for 39 yards, including four carries of at least five yards all coming in the second half.
 
"I really like the way Derrion Randle is looking right now," said Woodard. "I think he has the ability to help us at tailback."
 
Freshman Zae Giles led all LU receivers with four catches for 56 yards, while sophomore Martell Hawthorne had three grabs for 50 yards.
 
-LU CARDINALS-