Adrian Hernandez/ THE RIDER
The Vaqueros (4-5) suffered a blowout at the Homecoming game 52-23 against the Lamar Cardinals (6-2), breaking the program’s home game win streak of 10.
Lamar finished with a strong rushing performance and zero turnovers, while the Vaqueros had two turnovers, and the inability to sustain drives until late proved decisive.
Head coach Travis Bush said the win from Lamar was expected to happen with their level of performance, and with the streak ended, they deserve all of the credit.
“I guess the streak is finally over, it was bound to happen at some point,” Bush said. “… Lamar’s a good ball club, give them all the credit. That’s a top 15 team in the country, and they showed it. They earn it,”
UTRGV sophomore running back Broderick Taylor shined in the offense game with 15 carries for 105 yards, and two touchdowns accounting for the Vaqueros offense spark late in the game.
Adrian Hernandez/ THE RIDER
On the defensive side, junior linebacker Jaiden Haygood marked 14 team-high tackles this game.
Entering early in the first quarter, Lamar’s junior defensive back Bryce Mcdonald intercepts a pass from fifth-year quarterback Garret Rangel, and returns it 39-yards for a touchdown 7-0.
Vaqueros would later respond with a 50-yard field goal from senior kicker Brysen Gardner 7-3.
With Lamar keeping possession of the ball, junior quarterback Aiden McCown rushes a 2-yard touchdown drive in the half quarter 14-3.
The first quarter would then come to an end with Gardner finishing with a 22-yard field goal for the 14-6 lead.
Halfway into the second quarter, the Cardinals extended the lead with a 8-yard touchdown pass from McCown to senior tight end Davin Driskell 21-6.
Under tight pressure with seconds remaining in the second quarter, Rangel passed to senior wide receiver Branden Baize completing a 46-yard drive deep into Lamar territory, but settled with a 24-yard field goal from Gardner ending the second half 21-9.
Adrian Hernandez/ THE RIDER
Entering third quarter with a kickoff, Lamar’s sophomore wide receiver Blake Thomas returned a deep 97-yard touchdown for the 28-9.
Cardinal Thomas would end the third quarter with a 6-yard rush touchdown into half 35-9, and another 3-yard rush touchdown ending the third quarter 42-9.
With the final quarter beginning, Vaquero sophomore running back Broderick Taylor breaks free for a 44-yard touchdown run 42-16.
The Cardinals in the half of the last quarter would answer with a 49-yard field goal from freshmen kicker Andres Sandoval 45-16.
Shortly after, Taylor would score again for the Vaqueros with a 31-yard touchdown rush 45-23.
Finally with several minutes in the quarter, Cardinal McCown would find running back Parker Jenkins for a 48-yard touchdown pass, ending the hallowed game 52-23.
The Vaqueros are set for their second to last road game Saturday against Northeastern State University.
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