BEAUMONT, Texas – With National Signing Day officially in the books, the Lamar University football staff has turned its attention to spring practice. Lamar University head coach Mike Schultz is heading into his third spring camp with the Cardinals, but it's the program's first following a berth in the NCAA FCS Playoffs.
 
The Cardinals will step on the field Monday, Feb. 25^th with their first official workout. Monday's practice will be the first of 15 scheduled practices culminating in the annual spring game Saturday, Mar. 30^th at Provost Umphrey Stadium. The Cardinals will get seven practices in before taking a week off for spring break.
 
The Red and White will also once again be hosting the annual Night of Champions at the stadium on Tuesday, April 30^th. The strength and conditioning event is slated for a 6 p.m. start at Provost Umphrey Stadium.
 
The Cardinals will be looking to replace several key seniors from last year's squad. Big Red graduated 14 seniors from the last season, including six starters on defense, and several key reserves. Among the losses for the Red and White include All-Americans Garrett Bowery (offensive line) and Davon Jernigan (secondary) and quarterback Darrel Colbert, Jr.
 
The Cardinals return 13 starters on offense and defense from last year's 7-5 postseason squad, but eight of those starters have come on the offensive side of the ball. Despite the loss of Colbert behind center, LU returns Southland Newcomer of the Year Jordan Hoy who garnered Southland Player of the Week honors twice in his three starts.
 
The 2019 season will feature six home games beginning with Bethel at the end of August. The Cardinals will open with consecutive home games against Bethel and Mississippi Valley State before hitting the road for Texas A&M on Saturday, Sept. 14.