LU wide receiver Izaha Jones (3) avoids a tackle against Texas Southern University, Sept. 21, at Provost Umphrey Stadium.
The thundering sounds of both bands echoed throughout Provost Umphrey Stadium, Saturday, as LU quarterback Jakolby Longino stepped into the field. With a minute left in the game, Lamar needed a touchdown to beat Texas Southern.
As the clock was winding down, Longino connected with running back Khalan Griffin for a three-yard touchdown pass to complete the Cardinals’ comeback to record a 2017 victory.
Lamar struggled offensively in the first half with Texas Southern scoring a 20-yard field goal just five minutes into the game.
A Cardinal fumble in the last minute of the second quarter led to a seven-yard Tiger touchdown, putting them up 10-0 at the half.
Backup quarterback Longino got the start as first string QB Robert Coleman was injured. Longino ended the game with nine completed passes, 63 yards and one touchdown.
Lamar’s comeback began midway through the third quarter when Griffin rushed for a one-yard touchdown making the game 10-7.
“Khalan Griffin, Damien Moore — the one-two punch there — with the ability to pound the ball and be effective when they got to second and third levels,” LU head coach Pete Rossomando said. “And the O-line did a really good job of blocking,”
TSU started the final quarter with a missed kick attempt, their second miss of the game, keeping the score 10-7. Seven minutes into the fourth quarter, on a 3rd-and-10 play, Longino found tight end Devyn Gibbs for a 13- yard touchdown. Unfortunately for the Cardinals, kicker Chris Esqueda missed the extra point, making the game 13-10 LU.
“There were some times where the play wasn’t there,” Rossomando said. “Gino didn’t try to force it. He got rid of the ball, he ran the ball, he did smart things with the football. I say don’t be reckless with the ball. And we weren’t reckless with the ball. It allowed us to keep that drive going in a lot of different ways.”
Lamar played well defensively throughout the fourth quarter until Texas Southern scored a pivotal six-yard touchdown in the last three minutes of the game. TSU regained the lead 17-13.
With 1:05 remaining, Longino and Griffin combined for the game winner, and Esqueda sealed the win with the PAT.
Griffin finished the game with 124 yards on 22 carries and two touchdowns. LU linebacker Ken Savanah led the Cardinals’ defense with 11 tackles and two sacks totaling 13 yards.
Despite the win, Rossomando said the team needs to do better with penalties.
“If you go offsides, you’re undisciplined,” Rossomando said. “You’re not dialed in to what we want to do and how we’re supposed to do it. I think that you’re not dialed in to your quarterback.”
Rossomando pointed to Longino.
“I mean, this guy’s been here since I’ve been here,” Rossamondo said. “So, it’s not like he’s a new guy snapping football. He’s done it ever since I’ve been here. It’s not a different voice. They heard it, they know it, they’ve just been not locked in, they weren’t dialed in.
“There’s some of the aggressive penalties, I can live with a hold every now and again, that’s gonna happen, but not eight of them.”
The Cardinals are set to play their last non-conference game of the season against nationally ranked Central Arkansas, Sept. 28, at 6 p.m. in Conway, Ark.