BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University's seven-point victory over No. 15 Abilene Christian Saturday to kick off the 2026 regular season precipitated a jump in the top 25 polls. The Cardinals moved to 14^th (a jump of six spots) in the STATS Perform Top 25 poll and 16^th (a move of five spots) in the AFCA Coaches Poll. Monday's poll equals the highest rank for the Cardinals in the STATS Perform FCS Top 25 Poll in program history (LU climbed as high as 11^th in the FCS Nation poll last season).
 
The Cardinals enter the second week of the season 11^th in the FCS Triumvirate Poll and 17^th in the FCS Nation poll.
 
The rise in the polls comes after Lamar's Week 0 victory over ACU which was Big Red's first win over a nationally ranked program to open a season since 1981 when the Cardinals defeated then No. 20 Baylor in Waco.
 
The Cardinals have made Provost Umphrey Stadium a tough place for nationally ranked opponents to play over the course of the past three seasons. Since 2024, Lamar is 4-0 at home against teams ranked in the top 25.
 
Lamar now turns its attention to UL Lafayette Saturday. The Ragin' Cajuns have been picked second the Sun Belt West Division. UL Lafayette is coming off a six-win season that saw them advance to the 68 Ventures Bowl, but Saturday will be the Ragin' Cajuns season opener. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. from Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium.