Dominant first half leads to third-straight win
The Lamar University football team defeated the Northwestern State Demons 42-14 at Provost Umphrey Stadium, Oct. 3. The Cards came out running, getting out to a 35-7 lead in the first half.
The Cards were led by their rushing attack, which scored a combined four touchdowns and 250 yards.
The standout was junior running back Jojo Uga, who rushed for 85 yards and one touchdown on only six carries. Junior quarterback Aiden McCown had an efficient game, completing 82 percent of his passes for 172 yards and a touchdown.
The first half was filled with electricity for the Cardinals, as they didn’t punt once. In the first quarter, the Cards defense immediately forced a three and out giving the offense the ball early. On the Cards’ second play from scrimmage, Uga broke free for a 45-yard rushing touchdown.
The Demons responded with a touchdown of their own, but that is all the life they’d get. The next Cardinal drive ended with McCown’s 37-yard touchdown throw to running back LaDamion McDowell to put them up 14-7 at the end of the quarter.
The second quarter saw more fireworks from the Cards, as they scored three touchdowns without reply. The first score came on Parker Jenkins’ long 39-yard touchdown run. The next drive started with a 50-yard bomb by McCown. Immediately after, he found receiver Blake Thomas for a 15-yard touchdown. McCown would do it himself on the next drive, scoring a 20-yard rushing touchdown. The Cards went into the break leading 35-7.
The second half was not as high powered with the Cards only score coming on their first drive after the interval with an eight-yard rushing touchdown by receiver Cam Patterson.
With a large lead the Cards seemed to take their foot off the gas. They allowed a touchdown, turned the ball over once, and missed a 24-yard field goal.
The win puts Lamar at 4-1 on the season and 2-0 in Southland Conference play. It also extends the Demons’ losing streak to 17 games.
LU head coach Pete Rossomando said the team had to overlook the Demons’ record and see the importance of the game.
“The most important thing is it’s a conference game,” he said. “It’s easy to see their record and overlook them, but when you watch the film, you can see a much improved team and they came ready to play.”
Rossomando said every little thing is important to build a successful season.
“We have to put one foot in front of the other,” he said. “We call it stacking bricks. You have to start with the first row and keep stacking them on top to build the wall. If you skip any step, the wall comes crashing down. You can’t cheat anything, but our guys have done a good job at the little things in games.”
The Cards next game is Oct. 10 at home against UIW. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.