BEAUMONT, Texas – The 12
th-ranked Lamar University Cardinals never trailed in Saturday's clash of the Southland top two teams defeating second-ranked Stephen F. Austin, 45-28, in what was hailed as the NCAA FCS Football Game of the Week. The Cardinals (8-2/6-1 SLC) have now moved into a tie for first place in the Southland standings with just two weeks remaining in the regular season.
With Saturday's win, the Cardinals have now defeated multiple ranked teams in the same season for a second consecutive year.
The Cardinals scored 45 points – which is the most surrendered by SFA this season – on 488 total yards of offense, including 181 of those on the ground. The Cardinals were a perfect 5-of-5 inside the red zone and took advantage of SFA's mistakes. The Lumberjacks coughed the ball of four times (two fumbles and two interceptions), and Big Red converted those miscues into 17 points. Lamar did not turn the ball over.
The Cardinals also dominated the time of possession holding the ball 12 minutes longer than their guests.
Junior
Aiden McCown completed 17-of-29 (.586) passes for 307 yards and three touchdowns. He connected with seven different receivers led by five catches for 79 yards and two touchdowns from senior tight end
Davin Driskell. Sophomore receiver
Blake Thomas also had another big night with four catches for 120 yards and a score.
Senior
Parker Jenkins had a career night leading the Cardinals ground attack. He finished the night with 30 carries for 138 yards and three touchdowns.
Lamar's defense was led by six tackles from
Dawson Washington and
Brennen Bailey. Washington also recovered a fumble for 17 yards.
Bryce McDonald picked off a pass – his second in as many weeks – which he returned 49 yards to go along with five tackles. Junior
Mar Mar Evans (four tackles) recorded LU's other pick.
Lamar started quick jumping out to a 17-0 lead, but the Lumberjacks would respond scoring the next 14 points. The Cardinals managed to get back on the board late in third when Jenkins capped an eight-play, 75-yard drive with a 13-yard run to give Lamar back a 10-point lead, 24-14. It was a score that seemed to spark both offenses.
SFA responded 52 seconds later with a touchdown pass to get back within three, but the momentum swing was short lived. Just 1:20 later, McCown found Driskell for a 28-yard reception which put the Red and White back up by 10 following the point after. SFA would strike again midway through the fourth on a pass play from JT Kitna to Bugs Mortimer to once again make it a three-point game, but Lamar would have the final say. McCown hit
Blake Thomas for a 62-yard strike to make it 38-28, and LU would then get the ball back after
Alexandre Dedieu got a strip sack which was recovered by the Lamar on SFA's next play from scrimmage. That would set up Jenkins' third rushing touchdown of the night on a four-yard run.
Despite one of the biggest wins in Lamar University history, the job is not finished. Lamar returns to action Saturday, Nov. 14, to host East Texas A&M. The contest against the Lions will kick off at 3 p.m. from Provost Umphrey Stadium.
#PeckEmCards
