BEAUMONT, Texas – The upstart Lamar University Cardinals look to keep their win streak alive Saturday when they host nationally ranked UIW, in a matchup of two league leaders. One of the just three remaining undefeated teams in the conference play this season, Beaumont's Cardinals are riding a four-game win streak entering the contest.
 
Off to a 3-0 start in conference play for the first time since 1967, the Cardinals are one of the nation's top story lines through eight weeks of the 2023 season. In addition to their historical start under first-year head coach Pete Rossomando, the Cardinals have already accomplished more this season than most prognosticators expected, and Big Red now has its' sights set on an even bigger prize. 
 
With their most recent four-game win streak, the Cardinals are just one win shy of equaling their win total from the three previous seasons. Lamar is getting the job done behind a strong rushing attack and one of the league's toughest defenses. The Cardinals have the league's third-best rushing attack and the second-best defense.
 
The Cardinals didn't take the easy route to get to this point. Of the Cardinals three losses, two came against a top 10 Idaho squad, a South Dakota team who is now ranked and FBS UL Monroe. 
 
Lamar shares more in common with its next opponent other than a nickname and undefeated record. The eighth-ranked UIW Cardinals have had a similar path to success on the stat sheet. UIW owns the league's top offense – including the top rushing offense – and enter the contest ranked just ahead of Lamar in total defense.
 
Lamar has faced a daunting road schedule through the first seven games with four contests on the road, but Big Red will close the year with three of its final four at Provost Umphrey Stadium.
 
The all-time series between the two dates back to the 2011 campaign – the second year of LU's return to the gridiron. Lamar trails the all-time series, 4-5, but the current momentum has been with UIW. San Antonio's version of the Cardinals have won three straight and five of the last six.
 
The last Lamar win came in 2018 when Big Red blocked a potential game-winning field goal, only to pick up the ball and return 60 yards for the game-winning touchdown as time expired. That play sparked a six-game win streak that ended with Lamar making its first appearance in the NCAA FCS Playoffs.
 
Saturday's game will kick off at 3 p.m. from Provost Umphrey Stadium. The game will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 KLVI and streamed live on ESPN+.