HOUSTON, Texas – For the first time since 2015, Lamar University has started the Southland Conference season 1-0 after defeating Houston Christian, 21-19, Saturday evening at Husky Stadium. The Cardinals took a 21-6 lead on the first play of the fourth quarter and had to withstand a late surge from the Huskies but when the dust settled the Cardinals walked off the field victorious.
 
It marked the first time the Cardinals (2-3/1-0 SLC) have won back-to-back games since defeating Sam Houston and Abilene Christian in consecutive weeks during the 2019 season. It's also the Cardinals first conference road win since defeating McNeese in Lake Charles in the 2020 season – which was moved to the 2021 spring semester due to COVID.
 
The Cardinals finished the night with 412 yards of offense, including 294 through the air, as Lamar trailed for less than three minutes of game time. Junior Robert Coleman completed 19-of-30 passes (.633) for 294 yards and two touchdowns on the night. He connected with six different targets led by Izaha Jones seven catches for 101 yards. He also connected with Andre Dennis and Major Bowden on touchdown passes (Bowden also rushed the ball for a score).
 
The Cardinals' ground attack was led Khalan Griffin's 17 carries for 74 yards.
 
HCU recorded 417 yards on the night, including 228 through the air. The defensive effort was led by senior Foday Jalloh's 12 tackles (four unassisted) including one tackle for a loss. Jalloh was one of five Cardinals to record a TFL, including three from Jaymond Jackson.
 
The game shaped up as a defensive struggle early with neither team able to crack the scoreboard in the first quarter. HCU got the ball first and drove the ball deep into Cardinal territory following a 52-yard completion. The Cardinals' defense forced a fourth and two, and Big Red held to thwart the drive.
 
Midway through the quarter the Cardinals forced an HCU punt from deep in its own territory, but Lamar couldn't take advantage and had to punt the ball back.
 
The Huskies dented the scoreboard first with just under 12 minutes remaining in the half. After moving the ball down to the Cardinals' 25 the drive stalled and HCU was forced to call on Dillon Fedor to attempt a 44-yard field goal.
 
Following the field goal, the Cardinals responded with 14 unanswered points. The first LU score coming just a little more than two minutes after the Huskies field goal. Coleman connected with Major Bowden on a wheel route down the left side of the field for a 41-yard touchdown. The score capped a five-play, 75-yard drive that took 2:38 off the clock.
 
After the defense forced another punt from the Houston Christian offense, Kyndon Fuselier gave the Cards great field position with a 54-yard punt return. The return set up a three-play, 36-yard drive that ended with a Coleman touchdown pass to Andre Dennis. Following the PAT, the Cardinals grabbed a 14-3 lead.
 
On the opening drive of the second half, Lamar moved the ball down inside the HCU 10 but fumbled it away. The Huskies recovered and responded with a 17-play, 93-yard drive that took more than 7:30 off the clock and ended in a 22-yard field goal, but the Cardinals answered on the first play of the fourth quarter. On a first-and-goal play from the HCU five, Bowden took the direct snap back up the middle five yards for a score.
 
Leading 21-6, the Cardinals' defense then came up with a big turnover when HCU quarterback Colby Suits was sacked by Ramond Stevens on the ninth play of the drive and James Perkins fell on the loose ball. Although Lamar was unable to move the ball on the ensuing possession, the Cardinals punted the ball away and managed to down the ball on the HCU three.
 
Despite starting in negative territory, the Huskies quickly moved down the field and got back on the scoreboard with a 12-yard run from Jesse Venezuela with 7:45 remaining in the fourth (21-13). On the ensuing possession, Coleman completed a 15-yard pass to Fuselier for 15 yards to keep the clock moving. It appeared Fuselier's forward progress had been stopped but there was no whistle and HCU managed strip the ball away. Four plays later, the Huskies got the ball in the end zone to pull within two. The Huskies went for two but they were denied following a big hit from Joshua Ofili inside the one.
 
The Cardinals were unable to move the ball on their next possession and were forced to punt the ball away. The Huskies got the ball back on their own 20 with three minutes remaining. The Cardinals forced their hosts into a fourth and long and HCU's quarterback was dropped for a 13-yard loss on the play. The sack gave the Cardinals the ball back with 1:23 to play on the HCU 30. Lamar managed to run out the clock to preserve the win.
 
The Cardinals return to action Saturday, Oct. 7, when they return home to host Northwestern State. The game against the Demons will kick off at 3 p.m. from Provost Umphrey Stadium. It will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 and streamed live on ESPN+.