BEAUMONT, Texas – As we quickly approach the end of August, Lamar's focus has shifted from preseason camp to official game-week preparation. With the season opener only four days away, LamarCardinals.com is releasing its final position preview leading into Saturday's season opener at North Texas.
 
Today LamarCardinals.com will break down the LU special teams.
 
Specialist Quick Facts:
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 6/5
Starters Returning/Lost: 3/3
Newcomers: 5 (4 via high school and 1 transfer)
 
Stats: The Cardinals ended the 2024 season ranked second in the Southland Conference in punting (45.2 ypp), second in the league in field goal conversion (.846), fifth in the league in kickoff return average (19.7 ypr) and third in punt return average (11.4 ypr).
 
Key Player: K - Ben Woodard (8 games/8 starts – 8-8 FGs, 20-20 PATs, 44 pts.) – Despite not taking over the full-time role as the Cardinals' kicker until midway through the season, Woodard managed to finish second on the team in scoring right behind all-conference running back Khalan Griffin.
 
The Storyline
One of the biggest surprises of last year was the emergence of Ben Woodard as the team's kicker. Stepping into the spotlight due to an injury ahead of him on the depth chart, Woodard proved that he had ice water running through his veins in his very first game as "the guy." In a close game at East Texas A&M, Woodard went a perfect 3-of-3 on field goals (46, 37, 51) with the 51-yarder serving as the game-winner and coming just seconds after the Lions booted a 50-yarder for what they thought was the game winner. For his efforts, he was named Southland Special Teams Player of the Week. Woodard has proven himself as a consistent kicker, has a big-time leg and comes through in the clutch.
 
The Cardinals have several freshmen on roster who should be battling for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart. That battle will consist of Mason Stallons (6-3, 177, Frisco, Texas), Jackson Cooper (5-11, 172, Shreveport, La.), Kye Walford (6-0, 180, Melbourne, Australia) and Andres Sandoval (5-10, 163, Port Neches, Texas).
 
The Cardinals did have to deal with the loss of a freshman All-American punter in Australian native Chase Leon - due to the portal – but after a strong fall camp Stallons appears to be the early leader in the clubhouse to take over the position. Lamar's coaching staff also returned to land down under hoping to once again strike gold signing Walford who is battling Stallons for the top spot at the position.
 
The Cardinals have several options in the return game that provide big-time speed threats. Seniors Kyndon Fuselier, Major Bowden and Xavier Coleman all have experience returning kicks and/or punts during their LU careers and each has big-play potential. In addition to those names, redshirt freshman Nicholas Brown has impressive speed and should also be a factor in the Cardinals return game.
 
A highly overlooked position – until something goes drastically wrong – is the deep snapper. That position will be filled by a new player this season. Two-year starter, Lane Gilchrest, has exhausted his eligibility but the Cardinals hit the transfer portal to bring in Jacob Hefner (6-2, 223, So., Furman). He will battle 2024 backup Christian Booker for the role.
 
Now that preseason camp has wrapped, the Cardinals are in full-swing mode with game week preparation. It's time to get your tickets because the countdown has begun … four days and counting until kick off!