BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University football team is looking to bounce back from a disappointing outing last week in Lubbock and get out to a strong start in Southland Conference play. The Cardinals (1-1/0-0 SLC) open the Southland Conference portion of their season against Northwestern State for the second year in a row.
 
After an impressive showing in week one, the Cardinals struggled against FBS Texas Tech. Now looking to get back in the win column, the Red and White are focused on starting league play 1-0 for the first time since the 2015 season. For that to happen the Cardinals will have to get through a vastly improved Northwestern State (1-1/0-0 SLC) squad.
 
After a tough loss at Texas A&M to open the season, the Demons bounced back in a big way throttling the two-time Southwestern Athletic Conference champion Grambling State Tigers, 34-7. The victory over Grambling State was the home opener for the Demons.
 
The Demons put up more than 500 yards of total offense against GSU, including nearly 400 through the air. Northwestern's Shelton Eppler was near perfect under center completing nearly 80 percent of his passes for 263 yards and four touchdowns. Northwestern State's offensive line gave Eppler plenty of time to throw the football surrendering just one sack on the day.
 
The Demons are currently ranked sixth in the league in total offense after two non-conference games, just behind LU. The Cardinals enter the Southland opener with the league's strongest rushing attack averaging better than 255 yards per game. Big Red is the only Southland school averaging more than 200 passing yards per game through week two of the season. Defensively, the Cardinals are third in the league at stopping the run, while Northwestern State is last in the conference surrendering 355.5 yards per carry.
 
"Offensively, Northwestern State has a couple of transfers that can cause your defense problems," said LU head coach Mike Schultz. "One is a real lengthy 6-6 guy who can go up and get the ball. Northwestern is a run-pass option offense, and they do a real good job with it. I think our big concern right now is trying to contain their receivers. They have three really good receivers on the offensive side of the ball.
 
"They also have a very active defense. I've known their defensive coordinator (Mike Lucas) for some time. He is a high-pressure type of guy. They will really come after you. They also have some skill on the perimeter and back end of their defense. On both sides of the ball, Northwestern State plays hard," added Schultz.
 
Both teams enter week three of the season with defenses that do a great job of gaining extra possessions for the offense. Both LU and Northwestern State are tied for tops in the Southland with four interceptions. The Cards are one of just two teams whose four picks have come from four different players.
 
Big Red enters the contest three games under .500 all-time (8-11-1/.425) against Northwestern State, but has a 4-2-1 (.643) record against the Demons in Beaumont. The Cardinals have dropped five of the past six meetings in the series, but the lone victory during that stretch was one to remember for LU fans.
 
Trailing by more than two touchdowns in the third quarter, and 13 points with 1:44 remaining, LU scored twice during that stretch to record one of the biggest comebacks in school history. The game-winning touchdown came in dramatic fashion as quarterback Carson Earp hit senior Dewan Thompson, Jr. in the back of the end zone from 22 yards on fourth down with six second remaining.
 
History may be on LU's side come Saturday as the Cardinals have dropped only one game ever on the date of Sept. 15. Winning their first five games played on that date, LU's only loss was a setback at Hawaii in the team's third season back on the field. The Cardinals have recorded wins over Southwestern Louisiana (now UL Lafayette), Western Kentucky and North Texas on the date of Sept. 15^th.
 
There will be plenty going on around Provost Umphrey Stadium for fans prior to Saturday's kick. The parking lots will open at 9 a.m. Tailgating will once again include the Cardinal Fan Zone (located north of the stadium in lot A-5) which opens at 2:30 p.m. Corona will have the Game Day Beer Trailer which will open at 2:30p.m. underneath the marquee at the Montagne Center. Approximately an hour later J.A.G. will be performing a live concert at the Corona Game Day Tailgate Stage also located underneath the Montagne Center marquee.
 
Prior to the start of the concert, fans will have time to watch the team walk into the stadium during the LU Football Spirit Walk. The walk will begin at 3 p.m. providing fans with plenty of opportunity to get back to the tailgate stage for the concert. Corona will also be hosting a corn hole tournament beginning at 4:30 p.m.
 
One final highlight before the teams run onto the field will be the Re/Max Skydiving Team (prior to every game this season). Once the game kicks off, fans will be treated to in-game fireworks when the Cardinals dent the scoreboard. In addition, the Cardinals have been reunited with an old tradition during football games. LU re-introduced a bell to Provost Umphrey Stadium which will ring when the Cardinals run onto the field and when LU scores.
 
Saturday's contest will also be Faculty and Staff Appreciation night. All faculty and staff can purchase dollar hot dogs and drinks with a staff ID, and family members will receive complimentary tickets.
 
Saturday's game will kick off at 6 p.m. from Provost Umphrey Stadium and can be heard live on KLVI AM 560. It will also be televised on ESPN+.