Nov. 15, 2014 Box Score
BEAUMONT, Texas - Senior
Mark Roberts became the first player in Lamar history to record 1,000 receiving yards as the Cardinals held off a scrappy Incarnate Word squad Saturday night at Provost Umphey Stadium. Lamar's 31-20 victory over UIW moved Lamar to 7-4 on the season, and 4-3 in Southland Conference play. The victory also secured Lamar's first winning season since 1979 when Lamar posted a 6-3-2 mark.
"My hats off to Incarnate Word," said head coach Ray Woodard. "We expected a game like this from them. They have been a real good defensive team all year long. They really made us fight for it, but to be honest, I would much rather get it that way. This was a big win for our program. We are going to McNeese in a good frame of mind, and we don't have to worry about carrying that one over on the bus with us but the season definitely isn't over. We have one more very important game in front of us."
The biggest highlight of the game came from Roberts but he, and the LU fans, had to wait until the third quarter to see it. Roberts, who needed only 70 yards to become the first LU player in school history to record a 1,000-yard season, was held without a catch until the third quarter but he took care of all of that on his first reception. With 11:03 remaining in the third, Roberts got a little separation from the defender to haul in his first catch of the game then used his speed to outrun the rest of the defense to the end zone. The 78-yard reception gave Roberts the record and Lamar a 15-point advantage.
Once LU had the lead, the Cardinals put the game in the hands of the defense, and they delivered. Junior Ronnie Jones led an effort that held the Cardinals of Incarnate Word to 300 yards of total offense and surrendered only 20 points. Jones finished the night with a team-high 12 tackles, including 3.5 for losses and two sacks.
"I just wanted to have a big game for the seniors," said Jones. "All I cared about was doing what I could to help send those guys out with a win.
"This is a win that we can build from. Our offense is so explosive so it's nice to know that we can be there to lift them up when things aren't going their way," added Jones.
The Cardinals tacked on a field goal to build a 31-13 lead before UIW closed out the scoring with a touchdown with less than six minutes remaining in the game.
The first half was a nailbiter that saw Lamar build a 15-point first half lead, only to watch their guests claw their way back into the game and threaten to pull within one right before the intermission. Leading 21-6, UIW scored on a 25-yard run to pull within eight, 21-13, with 3:53 remaining in the half. The Cardinals from San Antonio got the ball back and drove the ball deep inside Lamar territory when Lloyd Julian stepped in front of a Jordan Scelfo pass to record his first interception of the season and thwart the drive.
The Cardinals finished the night with 422 yards of total offense behind senior quarterback Caleb Berry who completed 17-of-33 passes for 234 yards and three touchdowns in his final home game. Roberts added three more receptions and finished the game with four catches for 124 yards and the one score. Sophomore Kade Harrington had another 100-yard rushing effort carrying the ball 25 times for 143 yards and a score.
The Cardinals return to action Saturday, Nov. 22, when they head to Lake Charles, La., to face McNeese State. The game against the Cowboys is slated to kick off at 6 p.m. The Cardinals have a chance to record a piece of history with a win. If the Cardinals can get past McNeese State they would tie a school record for wins (as a four-year institution) with eight.
-LAMAR-
