SLU Public Info / Randy Bergeron
Southeastern running back Kody Sutton shakes a tackle by Lamar University defensive back Xavier Bethany in the first half Saturday at Provost Umphrey Stadium in Beaumont, Texas.
The Lions football team has done it again.
Just two weeks after defeating the Incarnate Word Cardinals, the Lions surpassed the school record for rushing yards in a single game for the second time this season when they traveled to take on the Lamar Cardinals.
Southeastern rushed for a new school record of 484 rushing yards, almost 150 yards more than the record set on Saturday, Sept. 27 in San Antonio, Texas. The Lions’ successful offense this Saturday in Beaumont, Texas, gave the Lions a 61-34 win, bringing them to 5-2 overall and 3-0 in Southland Conference play.
Senior quarterback and Walter Payton Watch candidate Bryan Bennett rushed for a season-high 125 yards and tied his career-high three rushing touchdowns. Bennett also threw for 165 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.
Other key players who contributed to the Lion’s offense were junior running back Kody Sutton (86 yards, one touchdown), junior wide receiver Xavier Roberson (84 yards, one touchdown), senior wide receiver Marquis Hayes (58 yards, one touchdown) and junior running back Rasheed Harrell (65 yards).
The Lion’s defense yielded 349 yards and finished with a season-high five sacks. Senior linebacker Isiah Corbett, senior linebacker Drew Misita, junior defensive lineman Aaron Price, senior defensive lineman Scott Korte, junior linebacker Dereck Robinson and senior linebacker Justin Church were all credited with at least partial sacks. Junior linebacker Herbert Harris led the Lions with 10 tackles. Junior defensive back Reggie Lesueur forced a fumble and junior defensive back Denzel Thompson recovered.
Lamar took the lead with the first touchdown of the game in the first quarter, which was answered by the Lions minutes later with a 10-play, 50-yard scoring drive. Senior kicker Ryan Adams ended the drive with a 37-yard field goal to cut the Cardinal lead to 6-3 with 5:30 left in the first quarter.
A 27-yard punt return by Scott set the Lions up for their next touchdown, giving the Lions a 10-6 lead with 9:13 left in the second quarter. The Cardinals answered quickly, edging ahead to 13-10.
The Lions were able to come back thanks to a 42-yard catch and run by Scott. The five-play, 51-yard scoring drive ended with Bennett racing in from three yards out to give the Lions a 17-13 lead going into halftime.
In the second quarter, the Lions continued to push their lead with two back to back touchdowns early in the third quarter, bringing the score to 31-13. The Cardinals were able to manage a few scoring drives of their own, but were unable to catch up to the Lion offense as it rushed forward in the game.
Southeastern scored 27 unanswered in the fourth quarter to increase their lead against the Lamar Cardinals. Although the Cardinals scored the final touchdown of the game, it was not enough to win. The Lions won 61-34, keeping them undefeated in Southland Conference play so far this season.
This week the Lions return to the home field for the Homecoming Game against the Central Arkansas Bears. Those who plan to tailgate before the game will not be allowed to park in Friendship Circle due to the Homecoming Parade, which rolls at 3 p.m. The football game will kick off at 7 p.m. in Strawberry Stadium, and the crowning of the Homecoming King and Queen will take place during halftime.