BEAUMONT, Texas – Less than a week after his first National Signing Day with the program, first-year Lamar University head football coach Blane Morgan has released the 2020 football schedule. The 11-game schedule is highlighted by six home games and a trip to Rice.
 
The Cardinals will leave the Lone Star State only twice during the 2020 season with one of those being the end of the year rivalry game against McNeese.
 
"When you look at the Southland Conference, especially the past two seasons, it is quite obvious there is a lot of parity," said Morgan. "There have been different co-champions in the league the past two seasons. Obviously, you want to get to your first conference game healthy, but before we can even look at that game, we have our season opener against Mississippi College. This is going to be a very challenging schedule."
 
The Cardinals kick off their second decade of football since the program's return Thursday, Sept. 3, against Mississippi College. The game against Choctaws marks the second consecutive year that LU has opened a season on a Thursday evening (last season vs. Bethel). The Thursday night contest will kick off at 7 p.m.
 
Following the game against the Choctaws, the Cardinals will make an early start into Southland Conference play hosting UIW Saturday, Sept. 12. The Cardinals two-game homestand to open the year will be followed by the team's longest stretch away from home. After facing the Southland Conference's other Cardinals, Big Red will hit the road for trips to Stephen F. Austin (Sept. 19) and Rice (Sept. 26).
 
"We have an early start to league play this season coming in the second game of the year," said Morgan. "We're going to have to take advantage of every practice we have getting ready for the season opener, and then turn right around and open Southland Conference play. As coaches, you want to try to slow the calendar down as you work with your team to prepare them for the season but it will be on us quick."
 
The Cardinals open the month of October at home against Southeastern Louisiana (Oct. 3) before leaving for their first out of state trip of the season. LU will square off against Central Arkansas Saturday, Oct. 10^th in Conway. Big Red will be back in Beaumont the following week to take on Houston Baptist. The game against the Huskies will come right before the team's open week.
 
LU closes out the month of October on Halloween in Abilene, Texas. The game against Abilene Christian will be the Cardinals first opportunity to play in the newly built Wildcat Stadium.
 
The final stretch run kicks off Saturday, Nov. 7 at home against Northwestern State. The game against the Demons will serve as Homecoming and be one of two home games for the Cardinals in the regular season's final month. Big Red will host Sam Houston State the following Saturday before closing out the regular season with the renewing of the annual rivalry game – the Battle of the Border – against McNeese.
 
All home games will be played at Provost Umphrey Stadium. Tickets can be purchased by logging onto the athletics web site, www.LamarCardinals.com, or by calling (409) 880-1715.