CONWAY, Ark. – Central Arkansas jumped out to a 10-point first quarter lead and never surrendered the advantage in a matchup of two nationally ranked teams Saturday night at Estes Stadium. Central Arkansas topped the No. 19 Cardinals, 34-14, dropping Big Red to 3-2 on the season as the Cardinals will now its focus to the start of Southland Conference play.
 
Lamar's offense struggled to find its rhythm Saturday finishing the night with 220 total yards of offense. The Bears recorded 439, including 281 on the ground.
 
The Cardinals played some opportunistic football throughout the game recording a blocked punt – their third block of the season – to go along with an interception and a fumble recovery.
 
Senior Robert Coleman returned to the line up behind center and completed 11-of-20 passes for 112 yards on the night, but was picked off once. He connected with six receivers in the game. Classmate Sevonne Rhea hauled in a game-high five catches for 55 yards.
 
Senior Khalan Griffin led the Cardinals' ground attack with 18 carries for 72 yards and a touchdown. The Cardinals rushed for 108 yards as a team.
 
UCA jumped out to a 10-0 first quarter lead despite both teams putting up similar stats. The Bears outgained Lamar by just 10 yards in the opening 15 minutes, but Central Arkansas blocked an LU field goal attempt on the opening drive and followed that up with consecutive scoring drives.
 
Junior Kristian Pugh led the Cardinals defensive effort with 10 tackles, including seven solo stops, and one for a loss. Junior DeJuan Lewis added seven stops and also picked off a pass.
 
Lamar got on the scoreboard midway through the second quarter when Griffin carried the ball in from one-yard out to pull Big Red within three, 10-7. Unfortunately, Central Arkansas responded by scoring 10 points to close out the half.
 
UCA finished the half with 243 yards of offense with the majority of that coming in the second quarter. LU was held to 112 in the opening 30 minutes of action.   
 
Lamar will have a week off before they return to action Saturday, Oct. 12, to host Stephen F. Austin. The game against the Lumberjacks will kick off at 3 p.m. from Provost Umphrey Stadium.