{
  "id": 4327736,
  "title": "Aiden McCown throws for 3 TDs and Lamar defeats Abilene Christian 21-14 in opener",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/aiden-mccown-throws-for-3-tds-and-lamar-defeats-abilene-christian-21",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-30T02:54:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/aiden-mccown-throws-3-tds-025452587.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Beaumont, Texas (AP) — Quarterback Aiden McCown achieved a remarkable performance in the season opener for both Lamar and Abilene Christian, throwing three touchdown passes to help his team secure a 21-14 victory. Among his three touchdowns, two were successfully completed to wide receiver Davin Driskill. The Cardinals took an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter thanks to McCown's 5-yard scoring pass to Driskill. Their lead expanded to 14-7 in the final minute of the second quarter after McCown connected with Blake Thomas for a 33-yard touchdown. McCown further increased the Cardinals' lead to 21-7 in the beginning of the fourth quarter with another 5-yard touchdown pass to Driskill. However, Lamar's John David Black managed to close the gap, scoring a 4-yard touchdown pass to Cristian Driver with 3:12 remaining. Despite Black's efforts, Abilene Christian fell short of the victory after driving the Lamar 10-yard line on their final possession. McCown finished the game with 17 completions out of 32 passes for 183 yards, while Black completed 11 passes out of 25 for 142 yards, including two touchdowns. Ranked 20th in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25, McCown showcased his skills for the Cardinals. Black, a redshirt sophomore, entered the game in the second quarter after starter Tucker Parks was intercepted twice. This matchup was a rematch of last year's FCS playoff game, where Abilene Christian emerged victorious over Lamar 38-20. Looking ahead, Abilene Christian faces Texas Tech on Saturday, while Lamar will tackle Louisiana-Lafayette in a similar contest.",
  "summary": "Aiden McCown threw three touchdown passes, two of them to Davin Driskill, and Lamar defeated Abilene Christian 21-14 in the season opener for both teams on Saturday night. McCown's 5-yard scoring pass to Driskill gave the Cardinals a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.",
  "key_points": [
    "Quarterback Aiden McCown throws 3 TD passes in opener",
    "Cardinals defeat Abilene Christian 21-14 in season opener",
    "McCown's 5-yard TD pass to Driskill secures early 7-0 lead"
  ],
  "editors_take": "This win sets a different tone for Lamar's season compared to last year, when Abilene Christian beat them in the FCS playoffs, and gives the Cardinals an early edge in their rivalry.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Aiden McCown throws for 3 TDs and Lamar defeats Abilene Christian 21-14 in opener",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/aiden-mccown-throws-for-3-tds-and-lamar-defeats-abilene-christian-21-4331354",
        "published": "2026-08-30T02:55:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}