BEAUMONT, Texas – Preseason camp is officially over and the start to the 2022 regular season is just a day away as Lamar University prepares for its first game of the season Thursday evening at Abilene Christian (7 p.m.).
 
Former conference rivals in two different leagues (Southland and Western Athletic), Thursday's contest will serve as a non-conference tilt as Big Red has made the transition back to the Southland Conference. Thursday's showdown will also serve as the third meeting between the two schools in just under a year. In an odd quirk to the 2021 schedule, the Cards faced ACU twice last season (home and away) with the road contest serving as the conference game.
 
Entering his third season as head coach, Blane Morgan and his youthful squad look to bounce back from a disappointing 2021 campaign that saw LU finish the year 2-9 (.182) overall and winless in conference play. Morgan, and his coaching staff, have re-tooled the roster for the upcoming season as Big Red opens the year with just 12 returning starters from last season (seven of those coming on the offensive side of the ball).
 
The Cardinals enter the new season with every returning starter back on the offensive front, and they will be protecting a stable of quarterbacks with a wide range of experience and skill sets. Big Red returns three players with starting experience behind center (although one of those – Jalen Dummett – has been moved to receiver) and the Cardinals added two transfers who have only added to the competition at the position. Both freshmen Mike Chandler and Daelyn Williams return with starts under their belts, while transfer Jakolby Longino and Nick Yockey were impressive during preseason camp.
 
LU's first opponent, Abilene Christian, is also looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2021 season. The Wildcats posted a 5-6 (.455) overall record last season with just two wins in conference play. Under the direction of first year head coach Keith Patterson, the Wildcats have also rebuilt their roster looking to improve upon last year.
 
The series between the two schools is one that is in favor of the Cardinals. LU is 13-9 (.591) overall in the series, which dates back to the 1953 season. LU enters the contest looking to put an end to a small two-game slide against the guys in Purple. Prior to that, LU had won six straight. A historical oddity between the two schools, the Cardinals have played better on the road in the series than at home. Big Red is 7-3 (700) all-time versus ACU in Abilene.
 
The season opener – LU's lone Thursday night game of the season – will kick off at 7 p.m. from Wildcat Stadium. It will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 KLVI and streamed live on ESPN+.