Box Score

HAMMOND – Lamar quarterback Andre Bevil connected on a 19-yard touchdown pass to J.J. Hayes with just under two minutes remaining to give the Cardinals a 29-28 comeback win over Southeastern Louisiana in non-conference football action Saturday night at Strawberry Stadium.

Southeastern (1-2) built a 28-8 lead early in the third quarter, but Lamar (2-1) countered with 21 consecutive points capped by Hayes' third touchdown catch of the contest. The two teams combined for 878 yards and 51 first downs in the action packed contest.

The Lions had one last chance after Hayes' score, but after Southeastern marched into Lamar territory on the final drive, Cardinal linebacker Darby Jackson sacked and stripped Lion junior quarterback Brian Young to clinch the victory.

In his second career start, Young completed 24 of 35 passes for 301 yards, passing for one touchdown and one interception. Junior wideout Kory Theodore was Young's favorite target, catching seven passes for a career-high 164 yards and a score. Sophomore Sam Fairley rushed 23 times for 98 yards for the Lions, while sophomore Zeke Jones handled goal line duties and scored three touchdowns.

Defensively, senior Mark Newbill led the Lions for the second straight game with 11 tackles, while sophomore Quinton Foster had three sacks. Seniors Clint Coleman and Curtis Strong each had interceptions for the Lions.

Lamar was led by quarterback Andre Bevil, who completed 34 of 55 passes for 417 yards and four scores to go with two interceptions. Hayes and Josh Powdrill led the Cards with 87 receiving yards apiece. Marcus Jackson also had six catches for 78 yards and a touchdown. The Lions held Lamar to 17 rushing yards on 22 carries.

Lamar jumped out to an 8-0 lead on its second drive of the game, after junior wide receiver Simmie Yarborough fumbled an option pitch on Southeastern's first offensive play, giving the Cards the ball at the Lion 25-yard line. Four plays later, Bevil found Hayes for a 21-yard scoring strike. The Cardinals successfully executed a fake point after attempt to push the lead to eight points.

It was all Southeastern for the rest of the half, as the Lions rolled off 21 unanswered points. Jones cut the lead to 8-7 with 4:57 left in the opening quarter, capping a 11-play, 67-yard drive with a five yard scoring run.

The Lions took the lead early in the second quarter, as Young connected with Theodore for 30 yards out to put Southeastern up, 14-8. The touchdown pass just over a minute into the second quarter was the first of the Hahnville native's career.

Southeastern padded its lead in the final minute of the half, after taking over at the Lamar 39-yard line with three minutes left. Fairley rushes of 13 and 18 yards set Southeastern with first and goal. Two plays later, Jones leapt in from a yard out to put the Lions up, 21-8 at the break.

The Lions furthered their lead to open the third quarter. A 49-yard Young pass to Theodore set up Jones' third touchdown run of the game. The Springfield native pushed in from a yard out for a 28-8 lead with 11:45 remaining in the third quarter.

Lamar answered with a quick six-play, 72-yard drive capped by a Bevil to Hayes 13-yard touchdown catch that cut the Lion lead to 28-15 with 9:54 remaining.

Southeastern answered by driving 43 yards in five plays to give the Lions first and goal at the Lamar eight-yard line. However, Asim Hicks forced Fairley to fumble on the next play and Tim Hayter pounced on it to give Lamar the ball back and keep Southeastern from taking a commanding lead.

The two teams traded empty possessions until Lamar took over at its own 10-yard line in the final minute of the third quarter. Lamar moved to its own 28-yard line, but a sack by sophomores David Durden and Devan Walker faced the Cardinals with a third-and-26.

Lamar was able to convert, as Bevil connected with Kendrick Prejean for a 68-yard bomb to set the Cards up deep in Southeastern territory. Several plays later, Bevil found Jackson in the back of the end zone for a two-yard scoring toss that cut the Lion lead to 28-22 with 10:45 left.

Southeastern had a chance to make it a two score game, as the Lions drove down to the Lamar 16-yard line. Lamar's defense stiffened and forced Southeastern to attempt a field goal. Freshman Seth Sebastian attempted a 34-yard field goal and his try sailed wide right. Lamar took over at its own 20-yard line and marched down the field for the winning score, covering 80 yards in 11 plays and taking 4:48 off the clock.

Southeastern will close out its non-conference schedule next Saturday at Louisiana-Monroe in a 6 p.m. contest.