ABILENE, Texas – Abilene Christian jumped out to a 24-0 first half lead and Lamar University managed to trim the deficit to 10 in the third quarter but could get no closer falling to the 10^th-seeded Wildcats, 38-20, Saturday afternoon at Wildcat Stadium.
 
The loss ends Lamar's season at 8-5 overall (.615) following the first 13-game season in program history. The 2025 season marked Lamar's second NCAA FCS Playoff appearance and the first since 2018.
 
The Cardinals racked up 361 yards of offense on the day, 266 of that came through the air. Sophomore Aiden McCown completed 15-of-31 passes for 266 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 47 yards on 14 carries with a score.
 
Senior Izaha Jones hauled in three passes for 91 yards and caught one of the two touchdowns passes (77 yards). The other reception went to Jaydn Girard late in the game.
 
Lamar's defensive effort was led by Edward Gilds and  Etelridge McKinney (each with seven tackles). Kristian Pugh, Paul Omodia, Andrew Huff and C.J. Miller each recorded six tackles.
 
ACU took a 14-point lead after scoring on its first two possessions – the first drive ending on a 14-yard rush and the second on an 18-yard completion from Stone Earle to Raydrian Baltrip. The Wildcats got the ball back moments later following a sack-fumble but the Cardinals' defense came through in a big way forcing a field goal.
 
After falling behind by 17, the Cardinals responded with a strong kick return from Kyndon Fuselier, McCown then hit Devyn Gibbs on a crossing route for 26 yards followed by a 12-yard run from Xavier Coleman, unfortunately the drive stalled on the ACU 24 as the Wildcats got a stop on 4^th-and-1.
 
Trailing 24-0, the Cardinals' defense came up with what appeared to be a momentum-changing play following a Caleb Holmes interception on the ACU 25. The Cardinals took their new lease on life and moved the ball down to the Wildcat one but the drive stalled as ACU kept Lamar off the scoreboard.
 
Big Red managed to get the ball back with 1:31 remaining and took full advantage of the opportunity. McCown had the Cardinals knocking on the door four plays later. McCown punched it in from one yard out to get Lamar on the board.
 
After getting stopped on their first possession of the second half, Lamar left no doubt on the second possession as McCown hit Izaha Jones on the right side who made one move and was off to the races for a 77-yard touchdown pass. Unfortunately, Lamar could get no closer.