BEAUMONT, Texas – Sophomore Blake Thomas made is presence felt Saturday morning as the Lamar University Cardinals wrapped up the second week of preseason camp with a closed scrimmage at Provost Umphrey Stadium. Thomas recorded a rushing touchdown, caught a pass for a score and threw a TD pass.  
 
The offense vs. defense scrimmage lasted approximately two hours in the typical heat and humidity Southeast Texas. The coaching staff was able to get a look at all five quarterbacks with the signal callers ending the day completing 20-of-39 passes (.513) for 263 yards and five touchdowns, with one interception.
 
Transfer Evan Bullock led the team completing 9-of-17 passes for 93 yards and a touchdown, while redshirt freshman Julian Salazar was 4-of-6 for 78 yards and a score. Thomas (three yards), freshman Abraham Munguia (nine yards) and redshirt freshman Cam Patterson (12 and six yards) were responsible for the touchdown receptions.  
 
As a team, the Cardinals carried the ball 39 times for 222 yards with three touchdowns. Lamar's backs averaged nearly 6.0 yards per carry (5.7). Sophomore LaDamion McDowell led the Cardinals with nine carries for 75 yards (8.3 ypc) with a touchdown, while junior transfer Jojo Uga added five rushes for 25 yards and a score.
 
Defensively, the Cardinals ended the day with 11 tackles for losses (including one on a pass play), seven sacks, two pass breakups, one interception (Zaylon Stoker) and a fumble which was recovered and returned 55 yards for a touchdown (Koda Canady).
 
Sophomore transfer Jordan Dowdy led the team with six tackles (two unassisted stops) and two tackles for losses, while sophomore Jarrett Mitchel added four tackles (two solos) including two TFLs. In addition to the interception, Stoker recorded four stops including one for a loss.
 
The Cardinals will resume practice Monday to open the third week of camp. Monday's workout will serve as the final week of preseason camp before the Cardinals begin official game-week prep for the season opener against Abilene Christian.