BEAUMONT, Texas – It's been nearly two months since the final horn sounded on Lamar University's magical run to the NCAA FCS Playoff, but the Red and White garnered praise for their efforts Tuesday evening. The Cardinals are ranked 25^th in the Athlon Sports Final FCS Top 25 Power Poll.
 
The ranking comes following a 7-5 campaign that saw LU win six-straight games to close out the regular season and advance to the FCS playoffs for the first time in program history. Big Red closed out the year at Northern Iowa where they dropped a heartbreaking three-point decision in the final moments of the game.
 
The Cardinals had experienced just one winning season since the program was re-established prior to the 2010 season. It was just the team's second winning season since the 1979 campaign.
 
It was a rollercoaster season for the Cardinals who dropped four of their first five contests, and appeared to be on the outside looking in. LU was on the verge of falling to 1-5 on the year when Incarnate Word lined up for what appeared to be the game-winning field goal with seconds left on the clock, which is the exact moment the season turned for the Cardinals.
 
Senior Lane Taylor broke through the line to block the kick which was returned 66 yards by Caleb Abrom for the game-winning score. The play – which was highlighted on ESPN's Top 10 – was the first step in a long journey toward postseason play. From that moment on the Cardinals were a different team rattling off six-straight wins, including three against nationally ranked teams, to advance to the NCAA FCS Playoffs for the first time in program history.
 
The Cardinals were recognized individually for their efforts on the field as well. Eleven different players were named to the 2018 All-Southland Conference team, including senior Garrett Bowery who became the school's first SLC Offensive Lineman of the Year, and junior Jordan Hoy who was named conference newcomer of the year.
 
Bowery, along with classmate Davon Jernigan, have also received attention on a national level being named to several different All-America squads. Both Bowery and Jernigan have been named to the 2018 AP, FCS Stats, AFCA and Phil Steele's Magazine All-America squads.