BEAUMONT – The Lamar Cardinals picked up a 41-21 win over the Texas A&M University-Commerce football team on Saturday afternoon at the Provost Umphrey Stadium, in the first meeting between the two programs since 1963.
The Cardinals are 5-4 overall and 4-1 in Southland Conference, while the Lions have lost their fourth in a row and are 1-8 overall and 1-4 in SLC play.
Both teams punted on their first drives after Lamar won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. The Lions forced another Lamar punt, but the return was muffed, and it was recovered by the Cardinals. The Lion defense did not break and forced another punt, but the Lions opted for a fair catch at their own three-yard line.
On the second play of the next drive, the Lions fumbled in their own end zone and it was recovered by Jalen Freeman for the touchdown.
The Lions put together their first scoring drive of the game on the next drive with
Darlington Frasch (San Antonio – Smithson Valley) running in a four-yard touchdown. It was an 11-play 66-yard scoring drive for the Lions.
DARLINGTON FRASCH TOUCHDOWN HIGHLIGHT
It took just three plays for Lamar to go back up front as Khalan Griffin rushed in a 51-yard touchdown with 10:11 left in the half. After a Lion punt, the Cardinals drove into the red zone, but
King Ambers (Windsor, Ontario, Canada) came up with an interception near the goal line to stall the drive.
KING AMBERS INTERCEPTION HIGHLIGHT
A&M-Commerce was forced to punt again as was Lamar, but the return was once again muffed by the Lions and this time, it was recovered at the Lion seven-yard line by Damian Alexander. On the first play of the next drive, Robert Coleman threw a seven-yard touchdown pass to Izaha Jones.
The Lions got the ball back with 1:49 left in the half and drove down to the Lamar 20-yard line to attempt a field goal kick right before halftime. A 37-yard field goal attempt from
Emmanuel Adagbon (Mesquite Horn) was wide left.
Lamar added on seven more points with a 22-yard interception returned for touchdown by Josh Ofili. The Lions tacked on seven more points in the fourth quarter with
EJ Oakmon (Pflugerville) rushing in a three-yard touchdown.
The Lions attempted an onside kick on the next drive, which was illegally touched, so Lamar got the ball on the Lion 44-yard line. Coleman connected with Jones, this time for a 35-yard touchdown, the point-after attempt by the Cardinals was no good.
Mirko Martos (South Garland) came in at quarterback for the Lions and threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to
Devin Matthews (Seguin) with six seconds left in the game.
Lamar outgained A&M-Commerce, 246-102 on the ground, while the Lions had the 198-96 advantage in passing yards. In total yards, the Cardinals had the 342-300 edge.
Shamenski Rucker (Lawrenceville, Ga.) netted 36 rushing yards in 12 carries and led the team with six receptions, picking up 33 receiving yards.
Austin Samaha (Hardin-Jefferson) had team-best 65 yards on five catches.
Josh Magana (Dinuba, Calif.) started at quarterback for the Lions, throwing for 96 yards and one interception on 12 for 23 passings. Martos went 9 for 16 in relief for 102 yards and had the lone passing touchdown for the Lions.
Mitchell McGarry (Gregory-Portland) averaged 44.9 yards on his seven punt, pinning the Cardinals inside the 20-yard line three times and his longest punt was 57 yards.
Levi Drake Rodriguez (Georgetown - Eastview) had team-best 10 tackles, which included 1.5 sacks.
Daryion Taylor (Humble - Atascotica) had eight tackles, one for loss, and one pass break-up.
For the Cardinals, Griffin rushed for 113 yards and a touchdown. Ofili had seven tackles and an interception to lead the team.
POST GAME INTERVIEW
UP NEXT
The Lions welcome Southeastern to Ernest Hawkins Field next Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
-TAMUC-
