BEAUMONT, Texas – For the fourth time in program history and the first time since the 2010 season, the Lamar University Cardinals (0-2) will step on the field to face South Dakota Saturday as Big Red goes in search of its first win of the season.
 
While the Cardinals are still looking for their first win, they have faced two very tough opponents – No. 8 Idaho and NCAA FBS UL Monroe. While the Cardinals came up short last week in Monroe, first-year head coach Pete Rossomando sent a message early to his troops that he came to win against the Warhawks.
 
On the opening drive of the game, the Cardinals lined up for a 35-yard field goal, but it was a fake. Unfortunately, the play was snuffed out, but it was a message sent loud and clear from coach to player, and it appeared the message was received loud and clear. After falling behind 21-0 in the first half – due in large part to a blocked punt that was recovered in the end zone followed by a pass that was picked off (two plaåçys later to set up another score), the Cardinals came storming back in the fourth quarter.
 
LU held the Warhawks scoreless in the third quarter and scored consecutive touchdowns to pull within seven midway through the final quarter. Unfortunately, the comeback came up just short as ULM would tack on a late field goal.
 
Things don't get any easier for the Red and White as they now head north to Vermillion, S.D. to take on the Coyotes. South Dakota is 1-1 after putting up at tough battle at Missouri (L, 35-10) in the opening week of the season, and then returning home to shutout a very tough St. Thomas squad, 24-0, a team which had been receiving votes in the top 25 poll.
 
Saturday's contest, which will kick off at 1 p.m., will mark the Cardinals earliest start of the season and just their fourth time playing in a dome since the return of the sport in 2010. While the Cardinals are 0-3 in those games, Big Red is 3-0 all-time against USD including a 1-0 mark in Vermillion. This will be the Cardinals first trip to South Dakota since the 1949 season.
 
The game will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 KLVI and streamed live on ESPN+.