BEAUMONT, Texas – After falling behind 35-7 at halftime, Lamar University put up a strong fight in the second half but came up short falling to Central Arkansas, 49-38, Saturday evening at rain-soaked Provost Umphrey Stadium.
 
The Cardinals (2-5/0-3 conference) recorded one of their best nights of the season offensively putting up 441 yards of total offense, including 251 yards on the ground, and 22 first downs. LU head coach Blane Morgan utilized both freshman Mike Chandler and junior Jalen Dummett at quarterback and it paid dividends. Chandler got the start and completed 9-of-16 passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns and carried the ball nine times for 44 yards and a score.
 
Dummett came off the bench to complete 3-of-8 passes for 36 and carried the ball 15 times for 125 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore James Jones added seven carries for 43 yards.
 
LU's quarterbacking duo connected with six different targets on the night, led by four receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown to Erik Pizarro. Senior Kirkland Banks added two catches for 70 yards and score.
 
The Cardinals' defense was led by 10 tackles each from Kyron Norwood and Divine Buckrham. Buckrham also broke up four passes. Sophomore Anthony Ruffin added five stops to go along with an interception which he returned 38 yards near the end of the first half.
 
After falling behind by 28 at intermission, the Cardinals came out in the second half and were the aggressors. Big Red started the rally by forcing UCA to punt on its first possession which the Cardinals blocked through the end zone. Less than two minutes later Chandler found Pizarro from 26 yards out for the touchdown. The nine-point swing started a 16-0 run for the Cardinals that had LU within 12 points.
 
The Bears finally managed a score midway through the third to stop the bleeding and take back a three-score lead. LU never quit scoring early in the fourth quarter on a pitch to Luke Ferguson which he took 15 yards for the score. The Cardinals tacked on another score less than five minutes later but it wasn't enough as time ran out.
 
Big Red will look to get back in the win column Saturday when the travel to Richmond, Ky. to take on Eastern Kentucky. The game against EKU will kick off at 2 p.m. (1 p.m. Beaumont time).