NATCHITOCHES, La. – Lamar University racked up 433 yards of total offense on its way to a 41-14 victory at Northwestern State Saturday afternoon at Turpin Stadium. The victory is LU's seventh straight as the Cardinals keep pace atop the Southland standings with a perfect 4-0 record in league games.
 
The Cardinals outgained their hosts by more than 100 yards, 433-307. Lamar rushed for 256 yards while holding the Demons to just 23.
 
In his first start since an injury in week two, senior Robert Coleman completed 18-of-30 passes for 166 yards and a touchdown (Kyndon Fuselier). He connected with 10 different receivers on the day led by seven catches for 70 yards from Fuselier.
 
Senior Xavier Coleman recorded his first 100-yard rushing game with 12 carries for 101 yards and two scores. Sophomore Joshua Robinson added 18 carries for 78 yards and a score.
 
Senior Brayden Faulkner led the Cardinals' defensive effort with seven total tackles, including two solos and a tackle for a loss. Kevin Thomas added three tackles and an interception.
 
The victory marked the first back-to-back wins at Northwestern State since the 1959 and 1960 seasons. It also extends Big Red's win streak to seven games which is the program's longest since the 1971 and 1972 seasons.
 
The Cardinals (7-1/4-0 SLC) are off to their best start since the 1967 season and their best start in conference play since 1960 (the Lone Star Conference).
 
Junior Ben Woodard got the scoring started with a 50-yard field goal on LU's first drive – his third consecutive make from 50-plus yards. Northwestern State responded by driving the ball down to the LU 17 and attempted a 24-yard field goal but freshman Zaylon Stoker came off the edge to block the attempt. Unfortunately, the Demons scored a touchdown on their next possession to a four-point lead, but the momentum was short lived.  
 
The Cardinals answered right back with an eight-play, 75-yard drive that culminated in a 35-yard rush from Xavier Coleman – his longest run of the season – to give the Red and White back a three-point advantage. The lead held until 21 seconds remaining in the half when Coleman found Fuselier from 14 yards out for the score, 17-7.
 
The Cardinals finished the opening half with 259 yards of offense, with 136 of those coming on the ground. LU's defense held Northwestern State to just 151 yards in the game's opening 30 minutes.
 
NSU never seriously threatened in the second half as Lamar built a 34-7 advantage before the home team was able to get back on the scoreboard.
 
The Cardinals return to action Saturday when they travel to San Antonio, Texas to take on UIW. The game against the league's other Cardinals will kick off at 2 p.m. It will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 and streamed live on ESPN+.