BEAUMONT, Texas (Interstat) — The Lamar Cardinals used a balanced rushing attack and timely defense to defeat the Incarnate Word Cardinals 38-35 on Saturday in an NCAA Football Championship Division game at Provost Umphrey Stadium. Attendance was 6,824. Lamar improved to 5-1. Incarnate Word dropped to 2-4.

The visiting Incarnate Word Cardinals moved the ball through the air behind quarterback Emmett Brown, who completed 26 of 39 passes for 303 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran 16 times for 50 yards and one score. Brown, a 5-foot-10, 187-pound quarterback from San Marcos, California, helped Incarnate Word stay within reach throughout the second half.

Lamar quarterback Aiden McCown completed 12 of 22 passes for 123 yards and one touchdown and ran 14 times for 65 yards. The 6-foot-2, 199-pound McCown guided an offense that leaned on its ground game. Lamar scored on a 32-yard field goal by Andres Sandoval in the first quarter and added a 25-yard touchdown run by J. Uga later in the opening period.

Lamar’s ground game keyed its early advantage. Uga’s 25-yard scoring run capped a first-quarter drive, and Sandoval’s extra point made it a two-score game. Incarnate Word’s defense tried to slow the Lamar rushing attack, but the home Cardinals consistently won at the line of scrimmage.

Incarnate Word answered in the second quarter when J. Hibbler scored on a 10-yard run. Lamar responded with a 57-yard touchdown run by Uga and a 4-yard scoring run by Uga. Brown closed the first-half scoring with a 9-yard touchdown run. Lamar carried a 24-14 lead into halftime after a first half that featured big rushing plays from both teams.

The visiting Cardinals found rhythm through Brown, who spread the ball to multiple receivers. Hibbler’s 10-yard touchdown run gave Incarnate Word its first points. Brown’s 9-yard touchdown run just before halftime gave the visitors momentum.

The third quarter opened with a 62-yard touchdown run by P. Jenkins for Lamar. Incarnate Word struck back when Brown connected with Jacob Emmers on a 74-yard touchdown pass. That kept the Incarnate Word Cardinals within 31-21 entering the fourth quarter. Jenkins broke free for 62 yards to open the third, but Brown answered with a deep strike to Emmers. The 74-yard connection was Incarnate Word’s longest play of the game and brought the visiting sideline to life.

Lamar extended its lead early in the fourth when McCown found Davin Driskell for a 3-yard touchdown. The Incarnate Word defense then created a score when X. Trotter forced a McCown fumble and P. Batiste recovered it for a touchdown. Brown later threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Tyrece Fairly-Diyem, but Lamar held on for the final margin. McCown’s 3-yard touchdown toss to Driskell pushed Lamar’s lead. The Incarnate Word defense answered with a turnover return for a score. Brown then led another scoring drive, finding Fairly-Diyem from 5 yards out. Lamar’s defense made the final stop.

Andrew Huff led Lamar’s defense with seven tackles and two sacks. Mar Mar Evans added six tackles. Dawson Washington and IyiolaOluwa Solomi each had five tackles. Caleb Holmes and Mason Wuenschel finished with four tackles apiece. T.J. Nelson recorded three tackles and one sack. Kevin Thomas Jr., Zaylon Stoker, Bryce McDonald, C.J. Miller and Lanar Kelley each made three tackles. De’Kelvion Beamon had two tackles and one quarterback hurry. Kyran Bourda, Koda Canady, Jackson Bandy, Brennen Bailey, Chris Campbell and Jordan James each had two tackles. Alex Sumler, Albert Simon III, Jarrett Mitchel, Kamari Federick, Christian Booker, Alexandre Dedieu, Etelridge McKinney, Jacob Hefner, Andres Sandoval and Omarion Rasberry each made one tackle. Daiki Yoshikawa also made one tackle. Kamari Federick and Christian Booker also each had one quarterback hurry.

Lamar’s receiving corps spread the production. Chris Vickerson had one reception for one yard. Brit Simmons had two receptions for four yards. Devan Williams had one reception for seven yards. Jaydn Girard had one reception for 11 yards. Davin Driskell had two receptions for 13 yards and one touchdown. Kyndon Fuselier had one reception for 37 yards and one punt return for no yards. Blake Thomas had three receptions for 47 yards. Mason Stallons punted five times for 202 yards.

Incarnate Word’s defense was led by Jeremiah Young, who made nine tackles and one sack. Mekhi Brown, Declan Williams and Buddha Garrett each made eight tackles. Declan Williams also had one quarterback hurry. Terrell Elliott added six tackles. Jachai Pulley had five tackles. Walt Gray finished with four tackles.

Lamar’s win continued a strong start to the season. The Cardinals have beaten Abilene Christian, Idaho, Nicholls State and Northwestern State, with their only loss coming at Louisiana. Incarnate Word has beaten Houston Christian and Oklahoma Panhandle State while falling to Stephen F. Austin, Texas State and Northern Arizona. Incarnate Word will host UT Rio Grande Valley next. Lamar will visit Southeastern Louisiana next. Incarnate Word also has upcoming games against McNeese State, Northwestern State, Southeastern Louisiana, Nicholls State and Texas A&M-Commerce. Lamar also has upcoming games against Southeastern Louisiana, Houston Christian, UT Rio Grande Valley, Stephen F. Austin, Texas A&M-Commerce and McNeese State.

Incarnate Word’s previous results include a 28-26 loss at Stephen F. Austin, a 63-10 loss at Texas State, a 30-23 win over Houston Christian, a 38-28 loss at Northern Arizona and a 76-14 win over Oklahoma Panhandle State. Lamar’s previous results include a 42-14 win over Northwestern State, a 49-18 win at Nicholls State, a 23-17 win at Idaho, a 38-7 loss at Louisiana and a 21-14 win over Abilene Christian.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Lamar 40, Incarnate Word 30. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Lamar with a 71.6 percent probability to win. Incarnate Word had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of plus 7. The total score of 73 went under the over/under line of 49.5.