NATCHITOCHES, La. – Lamar University jumped out 21-0 lead and never looked back defeating Northwestern State, 42-7, Saturday afternoon at Turpin Stadium. The Cardinals recorded 493 yards of total offense as they improved to 5-3 on the season 2-1 in Southland Conference play.
 
Saturday's victory marked just the program's fifth all-time win in Natchitoches.
 
Senior quarterback Robert Coleman was responsible for five touchdowns on the day. He completed 8-of-14 passes for 202 yards and three touchdowns and carried the ball five times for 16 yards and two scores.
 
Lamar ended the day with 268 rushing yards led by 120 on 19 carries (with a touchdown) from senior Khalan Griffin. Lamar's touchdown catches came from Sevonne Rhea (45 yards) and Andre Dennis (32 yards).
 
Lamar's defense, which held Northwestern to 329 yards, was led by five tackles from Kristian Pugh, Ronnie Hamrick, Ken Savanah and Brayden Faulkner. Hamrick and DeJuan Lewis each picked off passes for the Red and White.
 
After forcing Lamar to punt the ball away on its opening drive, it appeared Northwestern State was going to take the opening lead of the game. The Demons moved the ball down the field to the LU four, but Peyton Christian and Jaymond Jackson combined on a sack dropping the NSU quarterback for a 10-yard loss. The play forced Northwestern to lineup for a 31-yard field-goal attempt which was pushed wide.
 
The Cardinals wasted no time taking advantage of the missed opportunity moving the ball 80 yards on four plays (in less than 90 seconds) for a Coleman to Sevonne Rhea 45-yard touchdown. The scoring play was setup by a 26-yard pass to Major Bowden who carried the ball 26 yards down the far sideline for a first down.
 
The Cardinal defense then recorded a three-and-out to get the offense back on the field. Big Red's second scoring drive was a 13-play, 55-yard drive that took more than seven minutes off the clock. The drive was capped by a one-yard plunge from Coleman – one of two first have rushing TDs for the senior QB.
 
The Cardinals would take a 21-0 lead before Northwestern would get on the scoreboard with seconds remaining in the half. Lamar recorded 253 yards of total offense in the opening half with 136 of those coming through the air. LU's defense held the Demons to 172 yards in the first 30 minutes including picking off a pass in the end zone which followed a fumbled punt.

The Cardinals would tack on three more touchdowns in the second half – Dennis 32-yard reception, Griffin one-yard run and R.J. Carver 11-yard reception – to close out the scoring.
 
The Cardinals return to action Saturday, Nov. 2, when they host Southeastern Louisiana in the annual Hall of Honor game. The contest against the Lions will kick off at 3 p.m. from Provost Umphrey Stadium and will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 KLVI and streamed live on ESPN+.