It was Military Appreciation Day/Southeastern Hall-of-Fame game at Strawberry Stadium as Southeastern squared off against Lamar University in a game that was delayed in the fourth quarter because of lightning. Weather seemed to be the only thing that could stop the Lions league-leading running attack.
The Lions racked up a whopping 366 rushing yards on 50 attempts and scored five touchdowns in the 49-21 rout of Lamar. Southeastern were led by junior Darren Johnson and his career-high 176 yards and two touchdowns. Six players in total got credited with at least one rush for the Lions.
Southeastern was able to get out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter after the first of four total turnovers for LU. The Lions were also sloppy with the ball as they turned the ball over five times (three fumbles lost, two interceptions).
Lorenzo Nunez got the start for the Lions for the first time since the season opener and went 8 for 15 with a touchdown and an interception while also adding 53 rush yards and a touchdown. Lamar was able to pass the ball a total of 394 yards through the air and was led by Darrel Colbert Jr. who went 19-39 for 272 yards one touchdown and three interceptions. Colbert also rushed for two touchdowns.
Southeastern again was far more successful on the ground than through the air but it seemed like it was a matter of choice this week, as opposed to last week when the passing game struggled against UCA. Southeastern’s special teams have been solid getting a 92-yard return from Juwan Petit-Frere and they also forced a turnover.
No matter who has been under center for the Lions, it has not seemed to matter as they lead the Southland Conference in rushing. The Lions hope that having a league leading rushing attack will carry them to more wins. Saturday night’s win was first of the season for the Lions as they evened up their conference record to 1-1.
After a 30-minute rain delay, the Lions scored one more time as QB Byron Walker threw a touchdown to price to put this game away.
Southeastern heads to Natchitoches to take on Northwestern State next Saturday at 6:30pm.
