BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University junior running back Kade Harrington recorded another 200-plus yard rushing game, but it wasn't enough as Central Arkansas recorded a 35-17 victory Saturday night in a rain-soaked Provost Umphrey Stadium. The loss dropped LU to 3-4 on the season, and 2-3 in Southland Conference play.
 
Harrington continued to put up video-game type numbers rushing for 243 yards on 24 carries, including two touchdowns. But it was Central Arkansas' Blake Veasley who won the rushing battle. He ended the night with 49 carries for 292 yards and four touchdowns.
 
The Cardinals finished the game with 400 yards of total offense, but were hurt by untimely turnovers, and the fact it couldn't get its defense off the field in the second half. The Bears won the time of possession battle by nearly 20 minutes, including a 14-minute disparity in the second half. The Cardinals turned the ball over five times, including four second-half interceptions.
 
"You have to give Central Arkansas all the credit," said LU head coach Ray Woodard. "They are the better football team. I was impressed with them on film, and I'm impressed with them in person. Similar to last week, we got down in the first half and just like last week we fought back. When you get down that big, you're not giving yourself a good chance to win."
 
UCA scored the game's first 15 points before the Cards dented the scoreboard midway through the second quarter. Sophomore Alex Ball booted a 23-yard field goal with just under eight minutes remaining in the second quarter. It would be the Cards only points of the first half as UCA closed out the half with two Jace Denker 21-yard field goals – including one as time expired – to take a 21-3 lead into the locker room.
 
The Bears opened the second half by tacking on another score. Veasley rattled off a 56-yard run to record one of his four touchdowns on the night, giving the visitors a 28-3 lead with 12:38 remaining. It appeared the rout was on, but Harrington put an end to that thought on the very next offensive play.
 
Following UCA's kickoff which went out of bounds, LU got the ball at its own 35-yard line. Harrington took the first handoff and sprinted 65 yards up the middle of the field for the first of his two touchdowns.  LU was back on the attack at the end of the quarter, and again it was Harrington helping LU chip away at the Bears' lead. Harrington capped a five-play, 80-yard drive with a 50-yard run. The touchdown cut the deficit to 11-points, 28-17.
 
The TD seemed to rally the Cardinals defense who came out and forced a punt on the next series, but UCA punter Matt Spencer buried the ball on the LU five-yard line. The LU offense came back on the field but any hope of a comeback ended on the next play as the Bears picked off the very next pass. Two plays later UCA punched it in for the final score.
 
"It's very frustrating because we're working hard, and we play hard," said Woodard. "But, we're making too many mistakes and just not playing well as a unit at times."
 
The Cardinals were led defensively by four players with double-digit tackles. Seniors Ronnie Jones and Xavier Bethany each had 14 tackles. Classmate Seth Ellis added 11 tackles, including two for losses, while junior Larance Hale added 10.
 
The Cardinals return to action Saturday, Oct. 31, when they travel to Houston, Texas to face Houston Baptist. The game against Huskies is slated to kick off 2 p.m. from Husky Stadium.
 
-LU CARDINALS-