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Lamar lose to SFA in SLC opener

Football 1
Khalan Griffin scores the second touchdown of the game against Stephen F. Austin University, Oct. 12, at Provost Umphrey Stadium. UP photo by Brian Quijada

After a strong 3-0 start to the season at home, the Lamar University football team lost to Stephen F. Austin University, 20-27, Oct. 12, at Provost Umphrey Stadium. The game was the Cardinal’s first Southland Conference game of the season.

Three minutes into the game, LU allowed the Lumberjacks to get on the scoreboard with a 36-yard touchdown. With four minutes left in the first quarter, the Lumberjacks added a 31-yard field goal, making the game 10-0 for SFA.

Lamar continued its slow start, allowing another SFA field goal early in the second quarter. In the seventh minute of the second quarter LU finally got on the board when running back Khalan Griffin scored a two-yard touchdown after the Cards had driven 84 yards in seven plays. The Cardinals went into halftime down 13-7.

The Cardinals defense continued to struggle in the third quarter, allowing yet another touchdown by the Lumberjacks. Despite being down 13 points, the Cardinals kept fighting on offense where they managed to squeeze in another touchdown. LU wide receiver Sevonne Rhea scored after an 80-yard catch from quarterback Robert Coleman.

Unfortunately for the Cardinals, kicker Cris Esqueda missed the extra point. Three minutes later SFA scored another touchdown, ending the third quarter up 27-13.

“Really good football teams don’t miss extra points,” LU head coach Pete Rossomando said. “Really good football teams don’t have 15-yard penalties all the time. Really good football teams don’t have delay of games or illegal substitution. So, we have a long way to go.

“And I think that, quite honestly, that always falls on coaching, that always falls on me. I’m not doing a good enough job during the course of the week. Apparently, I have to fix that. My sole focus will be to get that fixed.”

The fourth quarter was slow for both teams up until the last nine minutes. Rossomando rotated his quarterbacks throughout the game and Jakolby Longino scored a two-yard touchdown run, capping a 12-play, 75-yard drive, to pull the game within seven points.

With seconds left in the game, the Cardinals had another scoring opportunity but could not complete the comeback after Coleman’s pass failed to connect in the endzone.

Coleman finished the game with 279 yards, completed 22 out of 41 passes, and scored a touchdown, but was picked off once. Longino ended up with 15 passing yards, nine rushing yards and a touchdown. Griffin tallied 59 yards on 11 carries and a touchdown. Rhea finished with six receptions for 166 yards, and one touchdown.

Kristian Pugh, Ronnie Hamrick, and Jalen Freeman ended with eight tackles each.

Lamar is 0-1 in SCL play (3-3 overall). The Cardinals’ next contest is away against Texas A&M Commerce, Oct. 19, at 3:30 p.m.

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LU quarterback Robert Coleman attempts a pass against Stephen F. Austin, Oct. 12, at Provost Umphrey Stadium. UP photo by Carlos Viloria
Category: Sports