The Lamar University football team closed out the third week of fall camp Friday afternoon with a scrimmage on the Vernon Glass Field of Champions Practice Fields. The Cardinals recorded approximately 70 snaps with the No. 1 offense going up against the No. 2 defense followed by the second teamers squaring off.
“We will need to go back and look at the film to accurately evaluate the scrimmage, but it was great to be on the field and to see our guys tackling,” said LU head coach Blane Morgan. “Going live is always exciting for them. We had great energy and great weather for the scrimmage. We’re taking steps toward moving the dial and changing the culture.”
The Cardinals finished the day with 332 yards of offense, including 154 of those on the ground. Big Red’s quarterbacks combined to complete 10-of-17 (.588) passes for 178 yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions. Junior college transfer Jalen Dummett was 5-of-6 (.833) for 42 yards and a touchdown and gained 57 yards on two carries. Senior Austin Scott was 2-of-5 (.400) for 97 yards and a score, while freshman Jake Smith was 3-of-6 (.500) for 39 yards.
“We’re going to sit down and watch the tape but I thought they operated the offense well,” said Morgan. “This past week we’ve really seen them take some steps forward. They’re handling the ball better and making better decisions. Having said that, they weren’t live today so you never really know how they will respond until they’re getting hit. I thought they did some things well, had a couple of mistakes but I’m pleased with their direction this week.”
Despite the impressive numbers from the Cards’ offense, it was the defense that had the advantage early in the scrimmage forcing a three-and-out on the first series and three of the first four. The tide began to turn midway through scrimmage when Dummett saved a drive with a 39 yard run down the right sideline. The play set up the first score of the game a 17-yard pass from Dummett to freshman Jaylon Jackson who slipped in behind the defense to make the grab and carry the ball nine yards untouched into the end zone.
Although it was Jackson’s first score in a scrimmage setting for the Cardinals, it was a run in traffic just minutes later that was even more impressive. Taking a hand off in the backfield, Jackson made two cuts in traffic to avoid tackles and then sprinted 31 yards down the field to set up another score – a 31-yard Elvin Martinez field goal.
The Cardinals second touchdown was on a drive directed by Scott. After consecutive incompletions to start the scrimmage, Scott hit Marcellus Johnson for 62 yards down to the defense’s four-yard line. Moments later Scott hit senior Dawud Shorts for a four-yard TD pass.
The final touchdown of the scrimmage came from senior Ryan Matlock. His score came on a tough four-yard run. He finished the day with 11 carries for 41 yards.
Johnson was the Cardinals’ top target through the air hauling in three passes for 91 yards and the score. Freshman Austin Kennedy led an energetic defensive effort Friday with his five tackles, junior Seth Wood added four stops. The defensive ended the day with six stops behind the line of scrimmage, including four sacks. The sacks came from Beaumont senior Desmond Veals, freshmen Chidera Umeh and LaTrell Smith and senior Keshawn Young.