BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University scored 31 points and put up 415 yards of offense against one of the top teams in the Southland Conference Saturday, but it wasn't enough to hold off Southeastern Louisiana. The Cardinals dropped a 47-31 decision on Senior Day to SLU dropping their overall record to 1-8 on the season and 1-4 in Southland Conference play.
 
Freshman quarterback Mike Chandler had one of his best efforts in a Cardinals' uniform completing 16 passes for 251 yards and three scores. He connected with 10 different receivers, led by seven catches for 108 yards and one touchdown from Andre Dennis. The other two TD receptions were hauled in by Izaha Jones and Nathan Gaskamp.
 
Sophomore Khalan Griffin just missed his third 100-yard rushing performance with 11 carries for 84 yards and a score. He was one of six Cardinals to record a carry Saturday as Big Red finished the day with 37 carries for 164 yards.
 
Freshman Blake Gotcher led the Cards' defense. He was one of three Cardinals to record double-figures tackles. Gotcher led the way with 12, while Tyler Jackson added 11 and Antorius Hambric added 10. Sophomore Ramond Stevens had nine stops, with a forced fumble and picked off a pass.
 
Unfortunately, the Cardinals couldn't find an answer for Southeastern's high-powered attack. The Lions finished the day with 527 yards of offense including 204 on the ground. SLU took a two-touchdown lead in the first quarter, which was disheartening as Big Red had its chances to take the early lead. The Cardinals missed a field goal on their opening drive and then picked off a pass near midfield on Southeastern's ensuing possession, but LU found itself down 14-0 heading into the second.
 
That would all change seconds into the second quarter when Mike Chandler hooked up with Jones for a 45-yard strike. After Southeastern responded with a field goal, Chandler once again had the Cardinals on the march. This time finding Gaskamp from four yards out for the score. The pass capped an eight-play, 70-yard drive that took just 4:12 off the clock.
 
Unfortunately, the Lions would respond just 69 seconds later when they connected on a 38-yard pass in the back right corner of the end zone to go up 10 with just six seconds remaining in the half. That was more than enough time – due to a 31-yard rush by Major Bowden combined with a SLUchop block – for Blane Morgan's group to set up for a 35-yard field goal trimming the deficit to seven points heading into the locker room.
 
The momentum change wasn't enough to spark the Cardinals coming out in the second half as SLU pushed its lead to 17 points early in the fourth. LU could get no closer than 10 after that.
 
The Cardinals will finish the season with two road games beginning Saturday, Nov. 12 at New Mexico State. The game against the Aggies will kick off at noon (1 p.m. Central time) from Aggie Memorial Stadium.