Central Arkansas’s ShunDerrick Powell showcased a stellar performance by rushing for 178 yards and scoring two touchdowns during the team’s dominant 34-14 victory over Lamar in a non-conference matchup on Saturday night. Ranked seventh in the FCS coaches poll, Central Arkansas proved their worth on the field.

In the early moments of the game, Lamar initially showed promise with a 56-yard drive but failed to convert a 32-yard field goal attempt. Central Arkansas quickly capitalized on this opportunity with an 80-yard drive that culminated in a 12-yard touchdown pass from Will McElvain to Dax Courtney, followed by a 23-yard field goal by Jake Gaster, establishing a 10-0 lead after the first quarter.

Powell extended the Bears’ lead to 17-7 with a touchdown just before halftime, with Gaster adding another field goal to make it 20-7 heading into the break. Despite a touchdown from Robert Coleman for Lamar in the third quarter, bringing the score to 21-14, Powell dashed Lamar’s hopes with an 18-yard touchdown run early in the final quarter.

McElvain completed 15 of 22 passes for 158 yards, reaching over 10,000 career passing yards. Powell’s 178 rushing yards came from 25 carries, while Darius Hale contributed 96 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. Central Arkansas showcased their offensive prowess by amassing a total of 439 yards and controlling the game’s tempo, maintaining possession for 33 minutes and 32 seconds, a considerable seven-minute advantage over Lamar.

On the opposing side, Coleman struggled, completing 11 of 20 passes for 112 yards and throwing one interception. Khalan Griffin led Lamar’s rushing attack with 72 yards and a touchdown, but their offense was limited to just 220 total yards for the game.

Central Arkansas improved to a 4-1 record with their commanding victory, while Lamar fell to 3-2. The game exhibited the depth and skill of Central Arkansas, establishing them as a force to be reckoned with in the FCS landscape.