BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University football will step on the field Thursday evening for the inaugural Coach Payton Spring Game – which will officially wrap up the 2025 spring schedule. The Coach Payton Spring Game is set for a 6:30 p.m. start from Provost Umphrey Stadium and is free to the public.
 
The scrimmage will serve as the 15^th and final practice of camp for a squad that enters the 2025 season coming off back-to-back winnings seasons for the first time since the mid 1960s. The Cardinals will be looking to fill several roles with 13 returning starters for the 2025 season. Among the returning starters seven are on the offensive side of the ball with just three on defense (three returning specialists).
 
Among the positions Lamar will be looking to fill on the offense side of the ball include quarterback and running back. The Cardinals will be looking to replace two-year starter Robert Coleman behind center but LU returns rising senior Jakolby Longino who came on in relief of an injured Coleman to lead LU to an upset win over nationally ranked Weber State last season and started the following week when Big Red knocked off Texas Southern.
 
In addition, the Cardinals brought in several talented quarterback prospects – including transfers and high school signees – to strengthen the battle for the position. The same is true at running back. Unfortunately, on the other side of the ball LU is looking to replace at least one player at each level of its defense.
 
Thursday's scrimmage will have the roster split into two teams. The game will consist of four 12-minute quarters, with a halftime, and a running clock in the second half.