BEAUMONT, Texas – For the final time as Southland Conference members, Lamar University will travel to Lake Charles to face off against McNeese in the annual Battle of the Border. The annual rivalry game – which is normally reserved for the final week of the regular season – was moved to a midseason game in the COVID shortened 2021 spring season.
 
Despite the fact the game will be played in warmer temperatures than normal, the game is no less significant. If anything, Saturday may take on even more importance as both teams enter the week looking to get in the win column.
 
The Cardinals are 0-2 after season-opening losses to No. 9 Nicholls and UIW, while McNeese has dropped games to UIW and Southeastern Louisiana (with their lone victory being a non-conference contest against Tarleton State).
 
The Cardinals trail the all-time series against McNeese, 10-27-1 (.276), a mark that includes a 6-11 (.353) record in Lake Charles. Oddly, the Cardinals have experienced more success on the road than at home in the Battle of the Border. LU has six road wins in the series to just four home wins. The two teams have split the previous two meetings with each team winning on the other's home field, but McNeese has won four of the last five contests. The LU victory in that stretch came during the 2018 season when LU scored a late touchdown to defeat the Cowboys in Lake Charles – the victory catapulted LU into the NCAA FCS Playoffs.
 
Saturday's game will kick off at noon from Cowboy Stadium, which will be the earliest kickoff for the Red and White this year. The game is slated to be broadcast on Newstalk 560 KLVI and streamed live on ESPN+.