BEAUMONT, Texas – Longtime bitter rivals will square off Saturday when the Lamar University Cardinals step on the field for the final time Saturday to face the McNeese Cowboys. The 2019 version of the rivalry pits two teams heading in opposite directions, and the Cardinals would love to end the year by reversing that trend.
 
Big Red enters the regular-season finale tied for 10^th in the league standings with a 4-7 (.364) overall record and a 2-6 (.250) Southland Conference mark. LU sits just a half game back of Houston Baptist in league chase, and just a game back of Northwestern State. The Cowboys will cross the border on I-10 Saturday tied for fifth in the league standings with a 6-5 overall record and a 4-4 (.500) conference mark.
 
The Cardinals enter the week looking to put an end to their recent four-game slide which started just prior to their open week against UIW. It has been a tough stretch for the Cardinals who have had to play three of the past four games on the road, with the lone home game during that stretch coming against league-leading and nationally ranked Central Arkansas.
 
McNeese caught fire midway through the season after being down near the bottom of the league standings. The Cowboys have won three of their past four outings with their streak coming to an end last week with a 14-point setback at Nicholls.
 
The Battle of the Border has been one that historically has been in favor of the Cowboys. The Cardinals trail the all-time series 10-26-1 (.284), a record that includes a 4-15-1 (.225) mark in Beaumont. The Cowboys have won seven of the nine meetings since the Cardinals re-established the program, but LU's two wins have come in the past five years. The Cardinals are coming off a thrilling 21-17 victory over their rivals last season in Lake Charles, La.
 
Fans are invited to spend the day on the campus and arrive well before kickoff. Fans can spend the day in a family-friendly environment taking part in Cardinal Lane – the corporate tailgate. While tailgating, fans will have the opportunity to greet the coaches and players as they make their way through the tailgate to Provost Umphrey Stadium during the Cardinal Walk. Prior to kick off, LN and the Crush will be performing live in concert.
 
Saturday's game will include all the pride and pageantry that has become commonplace in Beaumont, starting with the LU Marching Band. The band will be playing three songs that they will be performing during the Krewe d'Etat Parade in New Orleans. The halftime performance will have some script elements for fans as well.
 
The American flag will once again be brought in by the Re/Max Skydiving team. As fans enter the stadium, they will receive co-branded koozies while supplies last. Prior to kickoff the Cardinals will be recognizing their 2019 senior class.
 
The game is slated to begin at 3 p.m. from Provost Umphrey Stadium. It will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 KLVI and televised on ESPN3.