BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University will look to go to 2-0 on its current three-game homestand, and improve to 2-1 on the season, Saturday when it hosts No. 20 Weber State – the second-straight season LU has hosted a nationally ranked non-conference game. The Cardinals are going in search of their first 2-1 start since 2021 but one of the two wins that year came against a non-Division I opponent (North American).
 
Big Red opened the year with a heartbreaking seven-point loss at Texas State, before returning home last week to defeat Mississippi Valley State by two scores in a contest that saw senior running back Khalan Griffin rush for 197 yards and two scores.
 
Weber State started the year at Washington, before returning home to open Big Sky Conference play with a 43-16 victory over Portland State.
 
Saturday's kick off is set for a 6 p.m. from Provost Umphrey Stadium and will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 KLVI and streamed live on ESPN+.
   
Something We've Not Seen Since...
Senior running back Khalan Griffin had a career night carrying the football against Mississippi Valley State. The Tyler, Texas native carried the ball 23 times for a career-high 197 yards and two touchdowns. It was the best single-game rushing performance by a Cardinal since Jordan Hoy rushed for 225 at Stephen F. Austin in 2018. It is also the 14th-best single-game rushing performance in school history.
 
Hyde(r) and Seek
Junior Jacorey Hyder had a career night for the Cardinals catching the football. The Woodville, Texas native hauled in a team-high four passes for a career-high 117 yards and a touchdown. The score came on a 63-yard connection from Robert Coleman. It is the first 100-yard receiving game and receiving touchdown of Hyder's LU career.
 
Nationally Ranked Competition
Weber State will serve as Lamar's first nationally ranked opponent of the season. The Wildcats are ranked 20th according to STATS Perform FCS Top 25 poll. Last season Lamar played two nationally ranked opponents (No. 8 Idaho and No. 8 UIW). Big Red is also currently receiving votes in the poll.
 
Special Teams Being Special
Senior Ramond Stevens blocked an MVSU field goal attempt Saturday preserving a 14-7 LU lead in the first half. Stevens also recorded seven tackles (1 TFL) and picked off his first pass of the season.
 
Lucky Number 13
Lamar brought back its football program for the start of the 2010 season. During that time, LU has had four head coaches – Ray Woodard (2010-2016), Mike Schultz (2017-2019), Blane Morgan (2020-22) and Pete Rossomando (2023-Pres.). Through the first 13 games, Rossomando has the best record among the group at 7-6.
 
Conference Realignment??
No, the Southland Conference is not adding a new member, and yes, that headline is misleading, but Saturday's opponent – Weber State – has an upcoming schedule of a Southland Conference school. The Wildcats close non-conference with games against Lamar, Northwestern State and McNeese.