LU’s Khalan Griffin points at Sevonne Rhea after a successful play against No. 22 Weber State, Sept. 14, at Provost Umphrey Stadium. UP photo by Carlos Viloria.
The Lamar university football team upset No. 20 Weber State University, 17-16, Sept. 14, at Provost Umphrey Stadium.
The game started off slow for both teams until Lamar scored a 23-yard field goal by kicker Chris Esqueda in the seventh minute of the first quarter.
The Cardinals started off the second quarter with a fumble recovery by defensive back Damian Alexander. Unfortunately, starting quarterback Robert Coleman would come out of the game with an injury and did not return.
LU’s Jakolby Longino stepped up to replace Coleman, making an impact immediately. Lamar wide receiver Sevonne Rhea scored a touchdown for Lamar after a seven-yard throw from Longino. LU were now up 10-0.
Lamar’s celebration would be cut short by a Weber State field goal, and then a minute later the Wildcats intercepted the Cardinals leading to a touchdown. LU and WSU went into halftime tied 10-10.
“We're exactly where we thought we would be at the end of the half,” LU head coach Pete Rossomando said. “I don't think anybody thought we would be at 21-0 on a ranked team.”
Weber State continued the scoring with a touchdown four minutes into the third quarter. Fortunately for the Cardinals, the Wildcats failed the kick for the extra point, but LU were now down 16-10.
A 72-yard pass from Longino to Damien Moore resulted in a touchdown that tied the game. Esqueda would then seal the lead for the Cardinals by scoring the extra point making the game 17-16.
LU and WSU went scoreless in the fourth quarter with LU’s defense and special teams taking over, protecting the Cardinals’ lead. Weber State would get one more opportunity to win the game in the last seconds but failed to score the game-winning field goal.
Rossomando credited his defense for locking in during the second half.
“That's just testament to our defense,” Rossomando said. “I swear, I grabbed them on their way out. I looked in their eyes and there wasn't one faraway look in anybody's eye. They were looking at us like they were going out to stop 'em — and they did.”
The win marks the first time Lamar has started the season with two wins in their first three games since the 2021 season.
The Cardinals are set to play Texas Southern University, Sept. 22, at Provost Umphrey Stadium. The Cards will kick-off at 6 p.m. and the game will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 and streamed live on ESPN+.
