Lamar University senior Robert Coleman completed nearly 78 percent of his passes for 238 yards and three touchdowns, but it wasn't enough to overcome UIW in Benson Stadium Saturday afternoon as Big Red fell to the league's other Cardinals, 41-20.
Coleman hit three different targets on the day for touchdowns including Devyn Gibbs, Damien Moore and Izaha Jones.
Lamar finished the day with 330 yards of total offense but struggled to slow down UIW's offense which ended the day with 606 yards. The yards of total offense gained by San Antonio's Cardinals doesn't tell the entire story about how strong Lamar's defense played.
UIW forced Lamar into three turnovers – all fumbles – including two deep in LU territory but the defense would not break keeping their hosts off the scoreboard on those series.
While LU recovered two fumbles – including one by Kristian Pugh who picked off a pass last week – the Cardinals never managed to get out in front save for a four-point lead after a Coleman to Gibbs touchdown pass in the first quarter.
After UIW took the opening lead with a 41-yard field goal Lamar responded immediately. Coleman led the Cardinals on a seven-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a 28-yard pass from Coleman to Gibbs who battled with a UIW defender knocking the ball in the air. Gibbs came down with the ball stayed on his feet and carried it the rest of the way for the score.
The first half remained close despite UIW forcing two turnovers deep in Lamar territory. Neither turnover led to points for the hometown team. The eighth-ranked Cardinals took a seven-point lead into the locker room, 20-13. Lamar kept the game close in the second half but never managed to reclaim the lead in the final 30 minutes.
The Cardinals return home Saturday, Nov. 16, when they take on Nicholls. The game against the Colonels will kick off at 3 p.m. and Lamar will honor its senior class prior to the game. It will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 KLVI and streamed live on ESPN+.