Nov. 1, 2014 Box Score
BEAUMONT, Texas - Reminiscent of last season several records fell as the Lamar Cardinals (6-3, 3-2 SLC) routed Houston Baptist Saturday, 72-14, in the Cardinals' 2014 Homecoming contest. Senior receiver
Mark Roberts highlighted the record-breaking performance with his four touchdown receptions, passing former Cardinal Howard Robinson (1976-79). Roberts, who now has 19 career TD catches, finished the night with five receptions for 205 yards.
"It's always good to win homecoming," said head coach Ray Woodard. "We had some trouble running early because they were stacking the line, but that freed up Mark Roberts - what a tremendous weapon he is. It's hard to guard him one-on-one. We were going to keep going to him as long as they continued to put just one defender on him."
"It wasn't just me," said Roberts. "We all have a part to play - it was our entire offense. Our line did a great job protecting the quarterback, which allowed our passing game to work."
Just like the win over Nicholls last time out, the Cardinals jumped out to a 42-0 lead forcing HBU (2-7, 1-5 SLC) away from its strength at running the ball. Roberts got the scoring started with a 31-yard touchdown pass from classmate Caleb Berry less than four minutes into the game. LU was back on the attack four minutes later when Berry once again found Roberts for a 61-yard strike. Leading 21-0, Roberts added an 81-yard touchdown reception from Berry to close out the scoring and before the night was over Lamar racked up 621 yards of total offense and seven different players scored a touchdown.
While the offense was busy lighting up the scoreboard, the defense went about the task of keeping the Huskies out of the end zone. LU's defense held their guests to 288 yards of total offense. The Cardinals forced HBU into six turnovers, including four interceptions. Junior DaQuan Stewart recorded two of the four interceptions, including one he returned 56 yards for a score.
"When the ball was in the air, I just went and got it," said Hicks of the interception returned for a score. "I was excited to do something to help this team win." Lamar's victory was significant because it guarantees the Cardinals of at least a .500 season - the most wins for the Cardinals since the 1979 season. In addition to the win itself, several Cardinals recorded career milestones Saturday night. As a team, the Cardinals set a new Southland record for points against a conference team which marked the second consecutive game LU broke a team record for points against a league school.
In addition to Roberts' career record, he also tied a school record with 24 points, tying sophomore Kade Harrington who rushed for four touchdowns at Nicholls. Due to Lamar's overwhelming halftime lead, Roberts didn't see the field in the second half finishing only eight yards shy of the school single-game record for receiving yards.
Berry ended the night completing 15-of-22 passes (.682) for 391 yards and seven touchdown. His 391 yards passing was only eight yards shy of tying a career-high, but his seven TD passes set a new Lamar single-game record - surpassing his own mark (2013) and Tommy Tomlin's (1969).
The 72-point outburst marked the second time this season Lamar has scored at least 70 points in a game. Prior to last season's 75-point outburst against Oklahoma Panhandle State the Cardinals had never scored 70 points in a game.
The Cardinals return to action Saturday, Nov. 8, when they travel to Conway, Ark., to take on Central Arkansas. The game against the Bears is slated to begin at 3 p.m.
-LAMAR-
