BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University football team returns to action Saturday for a special day on the LU campus. Saturday's contest against Nicholls State will serve as Homecoming. In addition to former players returning to campus, the Cardinals (4-4/3-3 Southland) will step on the field looking to pick up consecutive wins for the first time this season.
 
The Cardinals enter the contest locked in a four-way tie for fourth the conference standings. While Big Red is looking to make a late season push at the conference leaders, Nicholls is looking to climb the ladder and get back in the thick of the race. The Colonels are 1-7 (.125) on the season, and tied for 10^th in the league with a 1-5 (.167) mark.
 
"This is a big week for us," said LU head coach Ray Woodard. "This is not only Homecoming, it's also a conference game against a team that is improving every week. Nicholls is a much better team than they were last year. Our challenge this week is to win Homecoming."
 
Oddly both teams enter Saturday's contest with their last victory coming against the same opponent, Houston Baptist. The Cards jumped out to a 34-0 lead and cruised to a 55-7 victory over the Huskies, while Nicholls posted a 38-17 victory. The 38-point effort was the highest offensive output of the season for the Colonels who racked up more than 400 yards of total offense in the game.
 
The Colonels have had their struggles on offense earlier in the year, and rank 11^th in the Southland in scoring, total and passing offense, which should present an interesting matchup against an LU defensive squad that has had to overcome injuries to key players. The Cards come into Homecoming ranked seventh in scoring defense, and ninth in total and passing defense.
 
LU will also be looking to take pressure off of nation's leading rusher Kade Harrington as well. The Cardinals were able to ease the pressure on its ground game with an effective passing attack against the Huskies. Big Red was 13-of-21 (.619) against HBU for 244 yards and three touchdowns, and that was done without the services of all-conference receiver Reggie Begelton.
 
One of the strengths of the Nicholls team all season has been its ability to slow down the pass. The Colonels lead the Southland surrendering less than 200 yards passing per game.
 
"Kade is a good running back, but we can't become a one dimensional team," said Woodard. "This league is too talented and too well coached, and they will put more people on the line and challenge us. We have to be able to throw the ball or it is going to be a long day for us Saturday."
 
Saturday's contest is slated to kick off at 6 p.m. from Provost Umphrey Stadium, but prior to kick there will be several activities taking place on campus surrounding Homecoming. There will be a pep rally at the Setzer Center which will include LU coaches and players Friday evening begin at 7 p.m. The Dallas-based band, D and Chi, will be performing at 8 p.m. followed by the LU Royal Court announcement.
 
The annual Homecoming parade will begin Saturday at 1 p.m. Once the parade is over, fans can enjoy all the sights and sounds of tailgating beginning with the Bryce Shaver concert at 4 p.m. located near the Montagne Center marquee in the northwest corner of the stadium.
 
BASF and Total Petrochemicals are sponsoring a foam finger giveaway to the first 1,500 fans. LU fans should also stop by the Wimberly Building parking lot (E-2) for Cardinal Fan Fest. Katie Whitney and the Draw will be performing live in concert. There will also be local food trucks in addition to fan gear giveaways and the Pint Jockeys Craft Bear taste tasting. Cardinal Fan Fest will remain open from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
 
At halftime of Saturday's game, LU will be recognizing the royal court. There will also be a special recognition of the 1965 team during the game. The 1965 squad won the second of three-straight conference titles during one of the most dominant stretches in the history of the program.
 
-LU CARDINALS-