Nov. 8, 2014 Box Score
CONWAY, Ark. - Junior receiver
Reggie Begelton became the Lamar all-time receptions leader, but Lamar lost a heartbreaker in overtime at Central Arkansas, 44-41, Saturday night in Conway. The Cardinals fell to 6-4 overall, and 3-3 in Southland Conference play in the first overtime contest in program history.
"I was proud of the way we played tonight," said head coach Ray Woodard. "We fought hard battling back to tie the game against a very tough opponent, but we made too many mistakes. You just can't do that in a league this talented."
After a tough opening series that saw Lamar go backwards on three plays, and Central Arkansas move the ball quickly down the field to record the first score, the Cardinals responded on their next possession. Senior Caleb Berry led the Cardinals on a 15-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a three yard touchdown pass to Reggie Begelton. After a defensive stop, the Cardinals were back on the attack three minutes later, when Berry found Jayce Nelson in the back of the end zone to give LU its first lead of the game, 14-7.
The lead didn't last long as the Bears returned the ensuing kick 56 yards to tie the game at 14, but Lamar responded with a Juan Carranco 36-yard field goal less than 90 seconds later.
After UCA reclaimed the advantage, 21-17, Berry moved the Lamar offense down inside the Bears' one-yard line but Carl Harris slipped on the handoff and fumbled the ball away. The Cardinals held defensively forcing a three-and-out and after an 11-yard punt Lamar took over on the UCA 20. The Cards made their hosts pay on the very next play when Begelton hauled in his second touchdown reception of the game to give LU back the advantage, 24-21.
The score remained 24-21 until 3:05 remaining in the opening half when Central Arkansas' Ryan Howard found Courtney Whitehead for a 44-yard scoring strike. The score gave UCA back a seven-point lead, 28-24. The Cardinals responded by quickly moving the ball down the field inside the red zone. What appeared to be a great play by Berry got flipped around by a great play from UCA's defense. Berry escaped two different UCA defenders to get rid of the football, but the Bears made a great play on the ball to pick off the pass. Central Arkansas was unable to take advantage missing a 35-yard field goal with one second on the clock.
The Cardinals ran 55 plays in the first half finishing the first 30 minutes with 393 yards of total offense, including 311 through the air. UCA recorded 279 yards of total offense in the opening half, but the Cardinals defense held UCA to 47 yards on the ground.
After both teams traded field goals, UCA took advantage of a Berry interception, scoring two plays later to take a 38-27 lead. The Cardinals answered with a nine-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a Kade Harrington three-yard run.
After a UCA field goal gave the Bears a 41-33 lead, Lamar got the football back with 2:20 remaining. Berry moved the Cardinals down the field on eight-play, 83-yard drive which ended with a five-yard pass to Jayce Nelson - his second of the game. The Cardinals converted the two-point conversion to tie the game with 40 seconds remaining. A desperation heave by UCA's Howard came up short sending LU into overtime for the first time in school history.
The Cardinals were unable to score on their possession in overtime, fumbling the ball away. The Bears responded by moving the ball down to the LU eight setting up a 25-yard field goal by Eddie Camara for the win.
Berry finished the night tying a school record with 43 completions for a school-record 554 yards and four touchdowns. Begelton hauled in a game-high 13 catches for 193 yards and two touchdowns, becoming the school's all-time receptions leader. Sophomore Xavier Bethany recorded a game-high 15 tackles for the Cards.
Lamar ended the night with 674 yards of total offense, while the Bears recorded 438.
The Cardinals return to action Saturday, Nov. 15, when they host Incarnate Word. The game against the Cardinals will kick off at 6 p.m. from Provost Umphrey Stadium, and will serve as Senior Day.
-LAMAR-
