Story and photo by Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2022 All Rights Reserved
BEAUMONT, TEXAS (October 1, 2022) The Houston Christian University Huskies picked up their second win of the season, and move to 1-0 in Southland Conference play as a results of their 37-34 win over the Lamar Cardinals at Provost Umphrey Stadium on Saturday. With the victory, The Huskies move to 3-4 lifetime against the Cardinals send sets up their second conference matchup of the season against the Nicholls Colonels on Saturday, October 8 at Husky Stadium in Houston.
The Huskies jumped out to a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter when the Lamar offense could not hold onto the ball, allowing HCU to recover two fumbles and return them for touchdowns. The first occurred at 13:30 mark when Cardinal running back Damashja Harris lost the ball at the 18-yard line. An alert Rodney Dansby picked up the ball and rambled the 18 yards to the endzone for the score. Kicker Alberto Arroyo added the extra point to put the Huskies up 7-0.
After the kickoff, Lamar started the next drive and advanced the ball to their own 45-yard line when wide receiver Jalen Dumment was tackled for a five-yard loss. The tackle by Vernon Harrell allowed Coi Miller to pick up the fumble and rush the 45 yards to the endzone for the second HCU touchdown of the day. Arroyo again added the kicking conversion to give the Huskies a 14-0 lead with 12:06 left in the first half.
Lamar jumped right back into the game, when kickoff return specialist Damashja Harris received the ball on the goal line and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown. The return established a new program record for the Cardinals.
The Huskies came back with 10 more points in the second quarter to increase their lead to 24-7 at halftime. The first of the 10 points came when Justin Fomby found wide receiver Kyle Reynolds open in the flat and connected with a 28-yard pass for the score. Arroyo again added the extra point, along with a 34-yard field goal, at the 2:11 mark of the quarter to close out the first-half scoring.
In the third quarter, the Huskies continued their scoring assault when Kari Reynolds caught a 40-yard Fomby pass for another six points, along with an additional Arroyo extra point to cap a three-play, 55-yard drive. The Fomby-to-Raynolds combo again scored a touchdown at the 7:20 mark (a three-yard pass). The conversion attempt by Hutton Haire failed, making the score 37-7 in favor of the Huskies.
Lamar cut the Husky lead to 23 when quarterback Mike Chandler was being pressured and threw up a desperation pass, which was caught by Devyn Gibbs, on a lunge; and fell into the endzone for the score. Chris Esqueda kicked the conversion to complete a six-play, 70-yard drive that lasted 2:53.
In the fourth quarter, Lamar took advantage of the Huskies not achieving a first down on four consecutive possessions to score an additional 14 points; and cut their deficit to 10 points. The scored at the 10:16 mark to complete a six-play, 36-yard drive in addition to a nine-play, 77-yard drive with 5:56 remaining in the game.
The Cardinals were not going to stop their comeback attempt when Chandler, from a no huddle shotgun position, kept the ball and carried the ball the final 13 yards of a 68-yard drive for the score; cutting the HCU lead to three. After an onside kick,, the Huskies recovered the attempt and played the ball for four plays; and punting to Lamar; giving the Cardinals the ball on their own five-yard line with 25 seconds remaining, After four quick plays, the clock ran out, with HCU securing the three-point win.
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