NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Stephen F. Austin jumped out to 10-point lead and Lamar University was never able to complete the comeback falling, 26-15, Saturday evening at Homer Bryce Stadium. The loss drops LU to 8-3 on the season and ends Lamar pursuit of the 2025 Southland Conference title, but the Cardinals are still alive for a shot at the playoffs.
The Cardinals finished the night with 258 yards of offense (134 on the ground and 124 through the air). SFA ended the night with 329 total yards and held the ball nearly 10 minutes longer than Lamar.
The Cardinals completed 18-of-26 passes for 124 yards and one touchdown. Senior
Robert Coleman got the start and completed eight of 12 passes for 46 yards, while
Aiden McCown came on in the second half completing 10-of-14 for 78 yards.
Freshman LaDamian McDowell led the Cardinals' ground attack with five catches for 57 yards and a touchdown, while senior
Kyndon Fuselier led the team with five catches for 40 yards.
Senior
Kristian Pugh led the defense with a team-high 12 tackles, including one for a loss and one interception.
SFA broke the scoreless tie with 2:21 remaining in the first when they moved the ball 68 yards on 10 plays which ended on a 13-yard run from Jerrell Wimbley. The lead grew to 10 moments later when SFA turned an interception into a 43-yard field goal.
The Cardinals answered on their next possession when McDowell scored on a handoff up the middle. Facing 2
nd-and-10 from just shy of midfield, McDowell took the handoff, broke a tackle and carried it the distance for the score putting Lamar on the scoreboard with 12:11 remaining in the half. The 54-yard run is Lamar' longest of the season. The Lumberjacks managed to tack on another field goal before halftime and took a six-point lead into the locker room, 13-7. Lamar ended the half by picking off a Lumberjack hail mary to close the first half.
The defenses dominated the opening 30 minutes. SFA finished the half with 186 yards while Big Red put up 140.
The Lumberjacks opened the second half by scoring 10 points in first seven minutes of the third building a 23-7 advantage. After SFA took a 26-7 lead, the Cardinals mounted a late drive that saw Coleman push the ball across the line from a yard out. After Lamar got the two-point conversion the deficit was trimmed to 11 but Lamar could get no closer.
The Cardinals will close out the regular season Saturday, Nov. 23 against McNeese in the annual Battle of the Border. The Senior Day contest is set for a 3 p.m. kick from Provost Umphrey Stadium.
#PeckEmCards
