Cards fall to SHSU in SLC Opener 42-10

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BEAUMONT, Texas – The new look Lamar Cardinals fell behind by 16 points in the first half and never recovered dropping a 42-10 decision to Sam Houston State Saturday night at Provost Umphrey Stadium. The loss ended a modest two-game win streak for the Cards and dropped them to 3-2 (.600) on the season, and an 0-1 start in Southland Conference action.

“We just didn’t play well tonight,” said head coach Ray Woodard. “We couldn’t run the ball and we left some scoring opportunities on the table. You can’t stop a team as good as Sam Houston when you had the miscues that we did tonight. But, you also have to take your hats off to Sam, they came ready to play and took advantage of every mistake.

“We have to find a way to bounce back. Sam Houston did that tonight after a tough loss their last time out. I know the players are disappointed – I hope they’re disappointed. If they’re not disappointed after a game like this, they are not the type of players we want.”

The Cardinals – sporting black alternate helmets – forced a three-n-out on Sam Houston State’s first possession but the Cardinals tried a long ball that was picked off and six plays later the `Kats took it in for a score. The Cardinals would surrender two more field goals before cracking the scoreboard. The Cardinals got a 33-yard field goal from Josh Davis to cut the score to 13-3 with 2:59 remaining in the half.

Trailing by only 10, there was still time remaining for the Cardinals to put up another score if they could get a stop. Sam Houston’s Jared Johnson guided the Bearkats on a six-play, 77-yard drive that ended with a six-yard touchdown run from Donavon Williams to give SHSU a 19-3 lead heading into the locker room.

The Cardinals struck first in the second half when senior Mark Roberts hauled in a 32-yard reception from classmate Caleb Berry. Following the extra point, the Cards moved back within nine, 19-10, less than six minutes into the second half.

The Roberts’ score would be as close to a rally as Lamar would get as Sam Houston State rattled off 23 unanswered points to end the game. The Bearkats answered the Roberts’ score less than three minutes later when Gerald Thomas hauled in a 22-yard scoring strike from Johnson. The next score came on a 50-yard scamper from Jalan Overstreet. Sam Houston closed out the game with two mores scores for the final tally.
The Cardinals had averaged better than 600 yards of total offense over the course of the past two weeks, but were held to 345 Saturday. The Cardinals were also hurt by four turnovers Saturday. Lamar coughed the ball seven times losing three of the fumbles, and were picked off once. Lamar, who was among the nation’s leaders in forced turnovers entering the game, didn’t force the Bearkats into any miscues.

Berry finished the night 21-of-36 for 244 yards and one touchdown. Transfer Devonn Brown led the Cards with five receptions for 88 yards. Lamar also struggled to get any momentum running the ball finishing the night with 36 carries for 101 yards.

Xavier Bethany and Ronnie Jones led the Cardinals with 13 tackles. Both players were also credited with a tackle for a loss.

Lamar returns to action Saturday, Oct. 4 when they travel to Abilene, Texas to take on Abilene Christian. The game against the Wildcats is slated to begin at 6 p.m.

 

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