BEAUMONT, Texas – Following a heartbreaking conclusion last week that saw Lamar University rally from a 28-point first half deficit only to fall by a point when an extra-point attempt was blocked, the Cardinals now turn their attention to Southeastern Louisiana.
 
The week four matchup pits two teams who are both off to rocky starts and looking to right the ship. The Cardinals (1-2/0-1 Southland) are trying to end a small two-game slide after an impressive win in week one, while Southeastern Louisiana is looking for its first victory of the season (0-3/0-1 SLC). The Lions record is deceptive considering they've played one of the toughest schedules of any FCS squad through the first three weeks of the season.
 
SLU started the season with a heartbreaking setback at UL Monroe, 34-31, during the opening week of the season where they had a chance to win late. The Lions followed that up with a trip to LSU before returning home last week for to host nationally ranked Central Arkansas in the conference opener (L, 33-25).
 
The Cardinals enter the week four homecoming showdown leading the Southland in scoring offense averaging better than 39 points per game. Big Red owns the league's strongest ground attack (247 ypg), despite the fact starter Myles Wanza was held out of last week's game.
 
Big Red's defense has also taken a huge step forward in 2018 entering the Saturday evening contest as the league's second-best team against the run. The Cardinals are holding opponents to less than 135 rush yards per game.
 
Southeastern heads to Beaumont among the middle of the pack in total offense and defense. The Lions' offense was meant to be headlined by 2017 SLC Newcomer of the Year, Lorenzo Nunez, but his season has been hampered by injuries. Junior Chason Virgil has completed nearly 63 percent of his passes for 931 yards and five touchdowns through the team's first three games.
 
The Cardinals enter Homecoming looking to reverse a recent trend on the gridiron. The Cardinals have lost their past three homecoming contests and five of their past seven. The last Big Red victory came during the 2014 season when LU thumped Houston Baptist, 72-14. The Cardinals are 22-24-1 (.479) all-time on Homecoming, and the current three-game slide is the second-longest in school history. Saturday marks the first time LU has hosted Southeastern Louisiana on Homecoming.
 
The Cardinals are two games under .500 all-time against SLU, but 2-2 (.500) against the Lions in Beaumont. The two teams have split the past two decisions, with each team winning on its home field, but SLU has won five of the past six meetings. The Cardinals are coming off a 49-21 setback at SLU in 2017, a game that saw the Cards fall behind 14-0 in the first quarter despite forcing Southeastern into turnovers on its first two possessions of the game (including one on the opening kickoff). The LU victory during that stretch was a 38-14 decision in Beaumont during the 2016 campaign.
 
Fans looking to spend the day on campus will have plenty to do leading up to kick off. The Cardinal Fan Zone (Lot A-5) opens at 2:30 p.m. In addition to the fan zone, the Corona Gameday Beer Trailer will also open at 9 a.m. Jerry Diaz will be performing at the Corona Gameday Tailgate Stage beginning at 3:30 p.m. (under the Montagne Center Marquee).
 
The annual Homecoming Parade will begin at 2 p.m., and the route consists of E. Lavaca, MLK Jr. Parkway and Virginia. Following the parade, fans can watch the Cardinals walk into Provost Umphrey Stadium during the LU Spirit Walk (3:45 p.m. near the stadium).
 
Prior to kick off, fans will be treated to the Re/Max Skydiving Team along with in-game fireworks. There will once again be the Mobiloil Credit Union Firework Show at halftime of Saturday's contest, in addition to fireworks every time the Cardinals score. LU also re-instituted an old tradition of ringing bells when the Cardinals score. The bell, which was removed from the stadium after the program's conclusion in 1989, was relocated during the offseason and has been refurbished and relocated in the south end zone.
 
In addition to the previously listed events, no gameday pageantry would be complete without the Showcase of Southeast Texas LU Marching Band. The pregame show begins at 5:45 p.m. and leads right up to kick off.
 
Saturday's contest is slated to begin at 6 p.m. It can be heard live on Newstalk 560 KLVI with Harold Mann and Kyle Gillam calling the action. It will also be televised on ESPN3, and has been added to the ESPN College Extra lineup (DirecTV Ch. 792).