BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University football team will look to erase a disappointing second half in its season opener as the Cardinals return to the field Saturday for their first road game of the season. But for the Cardinals to erase that bitter memory, they will have to do it against one of the nation's hottest teams – No. 6 Houston Cougars. Houston closed the 2015 season with one of the biggest bowl wins in program history knocking off Florida State. The Cougars kicked off the 2016 campaign with an impressive upset over No. 3 Oklahoma, 33-23, a game where the score was not indicative of Houston's dominance.
 
"I don't know if you can slow down Houston," said head coach Ray Woodard. "They are just that talented. You have to eliminate as many of the big plays as you can. That is the thing that makes Houston so scary is they're not a one-dimensional team. (Greg) Ward has improved tremendously passing the ball, he has great guys to throw it to and a big, strong offensive line. Not only can he run the ball, but he has some strong backs to hand the ball off to as well.
 
"I was able to watch their game Saturday because and I was very impressed with their team. They have great players, and the coaches on both sides of the ball do a fantastic job preparing those guys to play. I'm very impressed with them from top to bottom," added Woodard.
 
For the Cardinals to erase a tough second half against Coastal Carolina, they will have to do it against an even tougher opponent. Houston enters the week ranked sixth nationally – the second consecutive nationally ranked team the Cards will face to start the season. The Cougars hung more than 400 yards of total offense on Oklahoma in week one behind Heisman candidate Greg Ward. The senior quarterback completed 23-of-40 (.575) passes for 321 yards and two touchdowns.
 
There have been some questions surrounding Ward's status following an MRI Sunday morning. He has been listed as questionable for Saturday's contest. If Ward is unable to play, the Cougars would most likely turn to junior Kyle Postma (6-3, 205, Katy, Texas). Postma did not attempt a pass against Oklahoma, but played in three games at the position last season after moving over from receiver. He guided the Cougars to a comeback victory over Memphis for an injured Ward in 2015.
 
If does get the start, it would be the second consecutive national player of the year candidate the LU defense has faced in as many weeks. Big Red's defense opened the season preparing for Coastal Carolina running back De'Angelo Henderson who was named to the FCS National Offensive Player of the Year Award watch list to start the season, while Ward is a Heisman candidate.
 
The Cardinals rolled up 391 yards of total offense against No. 16 Coastal Carolina in the first week of the season, as LU jumped out to a 14-3 first half lead. Senior running back Kade Harrington was responsible for more than 200 of those yards as he picked up where he left off last season. The nation's leader in rush yards, yards of total offense and rushing touchdowns finished with 207 yards and two touchdowns, which was the second-best FCS single-game mark during the first week of the season.  
 
"When you're on the road against a very good team in front of a huge crowd you want to get off to a good start," said Woodard. "The most important thing for me is I want to see us improve and execute better as a team. As talented as Houston is, we may improve and no one can see it, but we as coaches have to see it. This is our final tune-up before we start conference play."
 
The Cardinals will be making history when they step on the field Saturday. The game against UH is slated to kick off at 11 a.m., which will be the earliest start for a Cardinals team since the program's return for the 2010 season. The game will also be televised on the American Sports Network, and will be streamed online at ESPN3.
 
"I don't know if a morning start means much to the team," said Woodard. "In terms of does this provided an advantage or disadvantage for one team over another, I don't see that as a factor. Both teams have to be there at the same time and both teams have to adjust their daily schedules so I don't see that as being an advantage or disadvantage."
 
The American Sports Network broadcast can be viewed on KBTV-DT2 (Bounce TV), Antenna 4.2 and on Time Warner 1248. Saturday will also be the second straight game streamed on ESPN3 – the network's online platform – to start the season.
 
-LU CARDINALS-