BEAUMONT, Texas – After an open week, and then playing a non-conference contest, the Lamar University football team returns to league play Saturday against Nicholls. The Cardinals (0-7/0-3 Southland) enter Saturday looking to put an end to a seven-game skid to start the season and hang a "1" in the win column.
 
It's been a tough start to the season for the youthful Cardinals, but LU can gain some inspiration from their upcoming opponent. Nicholls (2-6/2-1 SLC) opened the year dropping its first five games before winning two of its past three (all in league play) to sit in a two-way tie for third with four weeks of the season remaining.
 
Despite the struggles on the final scoreboard, Big Red has seen an improved ground attack each week. Running back Khalan Griffin rushed for a career-high 114 yards last week against Prairie View A&M. He was the catalyst for a rushing attack that finished the game with nearly 360 rushing yards against the Panthers. Over the past three games, the Cardinals' offense has seen a steady increase in its total offense. The Cardinals recorded 376 yards against Houston Christian, followed that up with 446 against No. 10 UIW and finished with 430 last week against PVAMU.
 
Playing for the first time since 2020, the Cardinals trail the all-time series to Nicholls, 7-6, but LU has played much better in the series at home. The Cardinals are 4-2-0 (.667) all-time against the Colonels in Beaumont. Nicholls has had the upper hand in the series lately winning the last five meetings. The last time LU won a game in the series came during the 2014 season in Thiboduax.
 
Saturday's contest is slated to kick off at 3 p.m. from Provost Umphrey Stadium. It will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 KLVI and streamed live on ESPN+.