BEAUMONT, Texas – For the first time since 1974, a Lamar University football team enters a week with a 2-0 record in Southland Conference play. One of the bright storylines of the Southland Conference this season, the Cardinals will now look to put their undefeated league record on the line Saturday when they travel to Southeastern Louisiana.
 
Winners of the three straight – the program's longest streak since the 2018 campaign – the Cardinals have been getting big plays in all three phases of the game, but for LU to get to 3-0 they will have to get through a Lions' squad that is looking to right the ship.
 
The preseason favorites to win the title have gotten off to a rough start to the season facing two NCAA FBS schools to open the year, before traveling to NCAA FCS powerhouse Eastern Washington. The Lions have been on the verge of picking up that first win each of the past two weeks with a one-point loss to Tarleton State, before dropping a nine-point decision to nationally ranked UIW.
 
Despite their 0-2 start to the season, a win tomorrow for Southeastern and they would automatically move into a tie for fifth in the league standings which would place them only a game back of Lamar.
 
Saturday's contest presents an interesting matchup as Southeastern Louisiana enters the week with the league's third-best offense in terms of total yards (349.8 ypg), while Lamar is second in the league in total defense (336.2). In similar fashion, the Lions like to put the ball in the air and currently rank second in the SLC in that category, while Big Red leads the conference in pass defense.
 
While the series between these two schools dates back to the 1967 season, it has been one that has favored the Lions. Southeastern owns a 10-4 all-time record in the series and has won five straight and nine of the last 10. The Cardinals last win in the series came during the 2016 season when Lamar recorded a 38-14 decision in Beaumont. The Cardinals are 2-6 all-time in games played in Hammond.
 
Saturday's kick is slated for 3 p.m. from Strawberry Stadium. It will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 and streamed live on ESPN+.