BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University football team enters the final home game of the 2016 regular season looking to prove to the rest of the conference they can overcome adversity. The term adversity is defined as adverse or unfavorable fortune or fate; a condition marked by misfortune, calamity, or distress. After a season that has seen the Cardinals lose numerous starters to injuries, including a stretch of one starter each week for a month, adversity seems like the only constant to the Cardinals 2016 season.
 
In addition to the coaching staff's hectic search to put together a healthy depth chart on what seems like a day-to-day basis, the team is also trying to put an end to a three-game slide that has watched Big Red slip from the upper echelon of the SLC standings.
 
The Cardinals enter the senior night showdown against Incarnate Word tied for sixth in the Southland, two games up on their opponents. The Cardinals (3-6/3-4 SLC) have been in this situation before opening the year 0-3, but rebounding by rattling off a three-game win streak.
 
LU will look to stop its current slide against an Incarnate Word squad that has had its own struggles this season. UIW enters Saturday having lost seven-straight after a three-point victory over Northwestern State in the second week of the season. San Antonio's version of the Cardinals are tied for 10^th in the league standings with a 1-8 (.111) overall record and a 1-6 (.143) mark in conference play.
 
"Incarnate Word reminds me a lot of Northwestern State in that their record doesn't reflect their talent," said LU head coach Ray Woodard. "They may not have won a lot of games, but they have been in every one this season. They're looking at us this week thinking they have a good chance to win so we know they will come in here fired up and ready to play."
 
Saturday's contest could be exactly what the doctor ordered for the Red and White. In addition to rattling off a three-game win streak the last time LU found itself in this situation, the Cards are hosting a school they have never lost to. The Cardinals are a perfect 3-0 against UIW, including a thrilling seven-point victory last season in San Antonio.
 
Big Red will look to keep Incarnate Word's offense off the field taking as much pressure as they can off true freshman quarterback Adam Morse. UIW ranks eighth in the Southland averaging 25.2 points per game. If LU's defense is able to impose its will on the visiting Cardinals, the hosts should have plenty of opportunity to put up points of their own.
 
Big Red's offense – which is averaging 21.3 points per game – will be squaring off against a defense that is last in the league surrendering better than 40 points per game. In his first career start, Morse completed 51 percent of his passes for 255 yards and a touchdown.
 
"I liked how Adam played in his first game as a starter," said Woodard. "He handled himself well in the days leading up to the game, and prepared like a veteran. I think you will see a lot of improvement from game one to game two for Adam. He has a great future."
 
UIW averages better than 230 passing yards per game, but has struggled to run the ball this season. The visitors rank last in the conference in rushing offense, which could present an interesting matchup against an LU squad that has struggled against the run at times this season.
 
Saturday's contest will be the final home game for 19 seniors. The list includes Michael Handy, Kade Harrington, Carson Earp, Brendan Langley, Mike Hargis, Kevin Greif, Xavier Bethany, Juan Carranco, Eddie McGill, Alex Ball, William Wowkanyn, Matt Johnson, Bret Treadway, Omar Tebo, Dante Cattaneo, DeAndre Jennings, Brannon Beaton, Koby Couron and Larry Carroll.
 
Saturday's broadcast can be heard live on Newstalk 560 KLVI. It can also be seen on ESPN3.
 
-LU CARDINALS-