Lamar Cardinals take Southland lead over second-ranked SFA

Aiden McCown threw for 307 yards and three scores, while Parker Jenkins added 138 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Lamar never trailed as it defeated the second-ranked Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks 45-28 on Saturday in Beaumont, Texas. The result places the Cardinals atop the Southland Conference standings.

Lamar entered the game ranked 13th in the Stats Perform FCS Poll. Stephen F. Austin came in at number two. The Cardinals established control early, building a 17-0 lead. They held a 10-point advantage at the halftime break.

Andres Sandoval kicked a 27-yard field goal near the middle of the first quarter. McCown directed a nine-play, 65-yard drive that concluded with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Davin Driskell with 2:03 remaining in the opening period. Blake Thomas caught a touchdown pass and finished with 120 receiving yards.

The Lumberjacks found the end zone for the first time with 25 seconds left in the first half. Gavin Rutherford threw a 22-yard scoring pass to Clayton Wayland. Rutherford finished with 315 passing yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.

Wayland recorded 173 receiving yards and two touchdowns for Stephen F. Austin. Bugs Mortimer added 124 receiving yards and a touchdown. The Cardinals now hold an 8-2 record overall and 6-1 in conference play. Stephen F. Austin remains 9-1 overall and 6-1 in conference play.

Both teams return to action on Saturday. Stephen F. Austin travels to play UT Rio Grande Valley. Lamar hosts East Texas A&M.