FRISCO, Texas – In what has become almost commonplace for the Lamar University football team this season, senior Ronnie Hamrick has been named Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Week. It is the first time this season Hamrick has received the award but the seventh time a Cardinal has been honored.
 
There has only been two weeks where Big Red has not been recognized with a weekly superlative and one of those was Lamar's bye week.
 
Hamrick played a decisive role in Lamar's come-from-behind victory Saturday at East Texas A&M. The Cardinals led for only three seconds of game time but fortunately for the Red and White it was the final three seconds.
 
Hamrick filled up the stat sheet to the tune of seven total tackles (three unassisted), 1.5 tackles for losses, two forced fumbles – one of which was recovered for a touchdown – and a fumble recovery which he returned for a score.
 
Hamrick's first forced fumble was a momentum changing play as it was recovered by Peyton Christian and returned 12 yards for the touchdown – Lamar's first TD of the game – to trim the deficit down to just three points. It also came just 15 seconds after a Cardinal field goal.
 
Hamrick's fumble recovery put the finishing touches on Lamar's improbable come-from-behind victory. After a touchdown pass from Aiden McCown to Kyndon Fuselier with three seconds remaining gave the Cardinals their first lead of the night, East Texas A&M was attempting a lateral on the ensuing kick return but the toss fell to the ground where Hamrick picked it up and returned it nine yards for the final score.
 
The nationally ranked Cardinals return to action Saturday when they host UT Rio Grande Valley. The Homecoming contest is slated for a 3 p.m. kick off from Provost Umphrey Stadium.