BEAUMONT, Texas – One of only three remaining Southland Conference who have not yet opening league play, the 22^nd-ranked Lamar University Cardinals (3-2/0-0 SLC) will change that Saturday. Big Red will host Stephen F. Austin at Provost Umphrey Stadium for a 3 p.m. kick off – LU's first afternoon game of the season.
 
The Red and White enters the showdown coming off their open week and sporting an above .500 record and have been in the national rankings for the past four weeks. SFA (3-2/1-1 SLC) already has two league contests under its belt with a loss to McNeese and a victory over Northwestern State. Winners of consecutive games, the Lumberjacks currently sit one game back of the leaders in the loss column (Houston Christian and Southeastern Louisiana).
 
Saturday's contest, which will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 KLVI and streamed live on ESPN+, will be the first meeting between the two schools since the 2021 season. A series that dates back to the 1951 season, SFA rejoined the Southland Conference after spending the previous three in the Western Athletic.
   
LU vs. the Lumberjacks
A series that dates back to 1951, Saturday's contest will mark the first game between the two teams since the 2021 season - the lone season both schools participated in the Western Athletic Conference. The Cardinals hold a slight edge in the series, 16-14 (.533), but SFA has won the past two games and three of the past four. The Cardinals are 9-8 (.529) all-time in Beaumont but are looking for their first win in the series since 2018 (24-17 in Nacogdoches).
 
Beaumont Block Party
Kendric Malone blocked a punt in the game at Central Arkansas which is Lamar's third block of the season. The Cardinals are currently tied for third nationally in blocked kicks (and tied for ninth nationally in blocked punts) and trail national leaders Tennessee Tech and The Citadel by only one (The Citadel has played one more game than Lamar).
 
A Game Within The Game
Saturday's contest presents an interesting matchup of one of the nation's top defenses against one of the top offenses. The Cardinals enter the week 30th nationally allowing just 23.0 points per game, while SFA leads the country in scoring (45.6 points per game).
 
Runnin' Cardinals
Cardinals normally get from place to place by flying but senior running Khalan Griffin is currently one of only two Southland running backs average more than 100 rushing yards per game. He is currently second in the league averaging 111.0 yards per game in 2024.