BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University football team will step on the turf at Provost Umphrey Stadium Friday night for a 7 p.m. workout. The practice will conclude the first full week of preseason camp for the Cardinals, who are looking to improve upon a record-setting 8-4 (.667) campaign a season ago. Big Red will open the second week of practice by hosting its first scrimmage Saturday at 9 a.m.
 
"We will do some red zone work, third downs, a little specials teams and then place the ball on the 30 and run the offense," said head coach Ray Woodard. "We are going to use this scrimmage to get a look at a lot of people. We have a lot of returning players, but I've been really pleased with all the young guys. We have a lot of depth on this team."
 
The most asked question during fall camp for Woodard has been the status of the quarterback position. Woodard is not ready to show his hand just yet but is happy with the performance of both his quarterbacks.
 
"Nothing has really changed since the start of camp," said Woodard. "We left the spring believing neither player had separated himself from the other and that remains the same. Both Joe (Minden) and Carson (Earp) are talented players. No matter who wins the job we are going to be in good hands."
 
Those sentiments have been echoed by the players.
 
"Joe has a chip on his shoulder," said senior receiver Reggie Begelton, at last month's Southland Conference Media Day event. "He came to camp to win the starting job. He has really good drive, and work ethic on the field. But, he is locked in a good battle with another talented quarterback in (Carson) Earp. I will be happy to catch passes from either one of them no matter who wins the battle."
 
"It's not just a two-man battle either," added Woodard. "We've got some talented freshmen who have come in and are fighting for some playing time as well."
 
The battle over who is going to win the starting nod at QB is just one of the many storylines surrounding LU's fall camp. For the second consecutive season, Woodard has had to replace a retiring coordinator. Last season Craig McGallion stepped in to replace Bill Bradley at defensive coordinator, and it was a smooth transition. This season, Woodard is looking for similar results after the promotion of Chuck Langston to offensive coordinator.
 
"Chuck has been with us for the past three seasons, and has done a great job with our offensive line," said Woodard. "He knows our players, he knows the terminology and he knows this system; this was an easy decision to make. Every coordinator adds their own little wrinkle but our offensive won't change  much."
 
Following Saturday's scrimmage Big Red will take Sunday off before returning to the practice field Monday, Aug. 17, at 7:30 p.m.
 
-LU-