Several setbacks on special teams set the tone early on as TSU fell 31-7 to Lamar on Saturday at Shell Energy Stadium.
At the end of TSU's first drive of the game, Lamar's Kendric Malone broke through the punt protection and popped the ball loose from punter Jeremy Ramirez. Nyir Jones scooped it up and returned the punt 18 yards for an early 7-0 lead after the PAT.
The Tiger offense came back with a vengeance on its next drive and rode the legs of Athean Renfro along with a 24-yard reception from KJ Cooper to Xavier Phipps. Renfro ran it in from seven yards out as Christian Avelar's PAT was good for a 7-7 tie. The Cardinals returned the ensuing kickoff 53 yards to the TSU 47 and relied on its running game to move ahead 14-7 after Aiden McCown's 13-yard touchdown and the PAT.
The LU lead would grow to two touchdowns as they blocked a punt which led to a touchdown return to open the second quarter. TSU attempted to counter with a long drive but had a potential touchdown negated due to a holding penalty. TSU was forced to settle for a 32-yard field goal but it was blocked. Lamar would go on a long drive after the blocked field goal and punch it in from three yards out to lead 28-7 with 45 seconds remaining.
The second half wasn't kind to the TSU offense as they only had 20 offensive snaps as the first three drives ended in punts followed by an interception while the Cardinals had 39 total snaps.
TSU finished with 196 total offensive yards as Renfro finished with 77 yards on the ground. Cooper rushed for 53 yards on 13 attempts while Isaiah Bogerty had 11 tackles.
TSU is back in action in two weeks at Mississippi Valley State on Sept. 27 in Itta Bena, Miss.
