LAKE CHARLES, La. – The Lamar University Cardinals football team has been picked to finish fourth according to a preseason poll of Southland Conference head coaches and media relations directors announced league officials Wednesday morning at the SLC Media Day event from the L'auberge du Lac Resort.
"I think our pick has a lot to do with how we've finished the past couple of seasons," said LU head coach
Ray Woodard. "We have several talented players coming back from last season. We hope to continue a trend this year that we've accomplished each season since bringing back football, and that is we've managed to finish higher each season than where we were selected in the polls."
There were few differences between the two polls as both coaches and media relations directors agreed on the order of finish for the top five spots. Sam Houston State was a near consensus pick to win a conference title, receiving all but one first-place vote (coaches and media relations directors were not allowed to vote for their schools). McNeese was selected near the top of the poll despite having to replace its head coach during the offseason. Central Arkansas landed in the poll just ahead of LU.
The Cardinals received 67 points in both polls to finish fourth, just ahead of rival Stephen F. Austin. A great deal of the LU's preseason prediction has to do with the wealth of talent returning for the 2016 campaign.
The Cardinals had four players named to the preseason All-Southland squad, including reigning player of the year
Kade Harrington. Joining Harrington on the first team were
Bret Treadway (offensive line) and Rodney Randle (return specialist). Senior
Brendan Langley (defensive back) garnered a second-team honor.
The Cardinals return 42 letterwinners and 14 starters from the 2015 season led by Harrington who is coming off one of the best seasons in history of football. The Kingwood, Texas native, led the nation in rushing, all-purpose yards and rushing touchdowns. He also became just the seventh running back in NCAA Division I history to rush for 2,000 yards in only 10 games, joining the likes of Marcus Allen and Barry Sanders.
Harrington, and the LU running backs, will be aided by the return of three starters on the offensive line including first-team all-conference selection
Bret Treadway. The Cards offensive front will also be aided by the return of
John Craven would was slotted as starter for the 2015 season before being forced to the sideline with an injury. Not only did the Cards' line help produce a 2,000-yard rusher but also led the nation in pass protection.
A preseason second-team selection, Langley will be one of the more exciting players in 2016. After moving over from the offensive side of the ball, Langley became one of the Southland's top defensive backs. He finished the year with 21 tackles, including 16 solo stops. He also deflected 11 passes and picked off one. His lone interception was returned 86 yards for a score leading to an LU win and a conference player of the week honor for Langley.
Langley headlines a defense that is looking to replace seven starters, but four of its returners are former All-Southland selections. Both safety
Xavier Bethany and
Omar Tebo have garnered all-conference recognition during their careers, and should be leaders for first-year defensive coordinator
Trey Haverty.
The Cardinals are slated to the report for preseason camp Wednesday Aug. 3, with the first workout slated for Thursday evening. LU has two planned scrimmages on its August calendar – Saturday, Aug. 13 (7 p.m.) and Sunday, Aug. 21 (7 p.m.).
-LU CARDINALS-
2016 Southland Conference Preseason Polls
Coaches' Poll
| Pl. |
School (First-place votes) |
Pts. |
| 1. |
Sam Houston State (9) |
99 |
| 2. |
McNeese (2) |
92 |
| 3. |
Central Arkansas |
79 |
| 4. |
Lamar |
67 |
| 5. |
Stephen F. Austin |
60 |
| 6. |
Southeastern Louisiana |
57 |
| 7. |
Northwestern State |
45 |
| 8. |
Abilene Christian |
40 |
| 9. |
UIW |
29 |
| 10. |
Nicholls |
26 |
| 11. |
Houston Baptist |
11 |
Sports Information Directors' Poll
| Pl. |
School (First-place votes) |
Pts. |
| 1. |
Sam Houston State (10) |
100 |
| 2. |
McNeese (1) |
86 |
| 3. |
Central Arkansas |
84 |
| 4. |
Lamar |
67 |
| 5. |
Stephen F. Austin |
66 |
| 6. |
Northwestern State |
48 |
| 7. |
Southeastern Louisiana |
42 |
| 8. |
UIW |
39 |
| 9. |
Abilene Christian |
37 |
| 10. |
Nicholls |
26 |
| 11. |
Houston Baptist |
10 |
