COMMERCE, Texas – Lamar University led for exactly three seconds of game time but fortunately for Big Red it was the final three seconds as Aiden McCown hit Kyndon Fuselier cutting across the middle for the game-winner. East Texas A&M attempted a lateral on the ensuing kickoff but the toss was picked off and returned for a score (Ronnie Hamrick) as LU defeated the Lions, 33-23, Saturday evening at Commerce Memorial Stadium.
 
It marked the second-straight season that LU came to Commerce and scored the game-winner in the final minute of the game and then tacked on a final score after forcing an East Texas A&M turnover.
 
The Cardinals have reached the midway point of the season with a 5-1 overall record and have moved into a three-way tie for first place in the conference standings at 2-0. It marks Big Red's first 5-1 start since 1974.
 
Lamar finished the night with 348 yards of offense, outgaining the Lions, 348-329. The majority of LU's production came through the air as McCown completed 24-of-33 (.727) passes for 285 yards and a touchdown.
 
McCown connected with nine different Cardinals, led by Fuselier's seven catches for 71 yards.
 
Big Red's defense was led by senior Kristian Pugh's 12 tackles (seven solos), including two for losses. He was joined in double figures by sophomore C.J. Miller who made 10 stops, with two TFLs, one sack and a quarterback hurry.
 
East Texas A&M made the first big play of the game forcing a fumble on a third-down play on Lamar's first series. The Lions recovered the loose ball and returned it 29 yards for the score.
 
The Lions took a 10-0 lead following a 38-yard field goal, but Lamar responded with a 27-yard completion to Xavier Coleman followed by a pass interference against ETAMU on the very next play. After a completion to Jaydn Girard that had the Cardinals 1^st-and-10 from the 10, but the drive stalled out in the red zone as Ben Woodard came on to convert a 21-yard attempt to get Lamar on the board, 10-3.
 
The Lions responded after giving up a field goal with a drive down inside the five, but Lamar's defense came up with a big stand. After a penalty gave ETAMU the ball 1^st-and-Goal from the two, LU stiffened forcing the field goal attempt. The Lions tacked on another field goal before intermission taking a 16-3 lead into the locker room.
 
Big Red came out of the locker room and marched the ball 50 yards on 10 plays to get the first score of the second half. The drive was capped by a 42-yard Woodard field goal. Lamar struck again moments later when ETAMU quarterback Ron Peace fumbled while scrambling. The ball was recovered by Peyton Christian and returned 11 yards for the score. Over the span of 11 seconds, LU trimmed the deficit from 13 points down to just three, 16-13.
 
After the Lions and pushed their lead back to 10 points, the Cardinals responded midway through the fourth. After the defense forced a stop, McCown guided Big Red on a six-play, 60-yard drive that was capped by a Joshua Robinson four-yard run right up the middle.
 
Lamar got the ball back one final time after forcing a stop with less than 2:30 to play. After a 25-yard punt return from Fuselier, the Cardinals had the ball 1^st-and-10 on the East Texas 36. Lamar moved the ball down to the six-yard line but the drive stalled forcing Woodard to again come on an attempt a field goal. The kick was good but a penalty on the Lions gave the Cardinals back the ball, 1^st-and-Goal, from their six. The Cardinals elected to take the points off the board and make one final stab at victory. On the second play, McCown hit Fuselier for what proved to be the game-winning score.
 
The Cardinals return to action Saturday when they host UT Rio Grande Valley for Homecoming. The game is slated to start at 3 p.m. It will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 KLVI and ESPN+.