BEAUMONT, Texas – After a season-opening victory over No. 15 Abilene Christian – the program's first nationally ranked, season-opening win since 1981 (at No. Baylor) – the Cardinals now turn their attention to NCAA FBS foe UL Lafayette. The game kicks off a stretch of three straight on the road. While the Cardinals are 1-0, Saturday will serve as the season-opener for the Ragin' Cajuns.
 
Lamar travels to Lafayette looking for its first 2-0 start to a season since 2019, while the Ragin' Cajuns are looking to build off a six-win bowl season a year ago. There is a lot of hype behind UL Lafayette as they have been picked second in the Sun Belt West Division and open the season with four players on the 2026 Preseason All-SBC squad.
 
LU's junior quarterback Aiden McCown was responsible for all three touchdowns in the Cards' Week 0 victory over the Wildcats. He completed 17 passes to eight different receivers and hit Blake Thomas and Davin Driskell (2) for scores. Replacing a first-team all-conference tight end, Driskell's LU career got off to a memorable starting hauling in five passes for 34 yards and the two scores.
 
Defensively, the Cardinals were led by newcomers Bryce McDonald (7 tackles) and Lanar Kelly (6), while freshman Mason Wuenschel and sophomore Zaylon Stoker recorded their first career interceptions.
 
Saturday's contest is set for a 7 p.m. kick off from Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium and will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 KLVI and streamed on ESPN+.
   
LU vs. the Ragin' Cajuns
The Cardinals are 10-17 (.370) all-time against UL Lafayette, but Saturday will be the first meeting since 2012. The series between the two schools dates back to the 1952 season. The Cardinals are 3-12 (.200) all-time against the Ragin' Cajuns in Lafayette. Lamar has dropped four straight to UL Lafayette and heads east looking for its first win in the series since the 1981 season.
 
Historic Start
Lamar defended its preseason ranking by knocking off then No. 15 Abilene Christian Saturday and exacting a small piece of revenge for the 2025 playoff setback to end the season. Saturday's victory marked the first time LU has opened the year with a top 25 win since 1981 when Lamar booted a late field goal to knock off then No. 20, and defending Southwest Conference Champion, Baylor in Waco.
 
The Rossomando Effect
Prior to head coach Pete Rossomando's arrival, Lamar University had not defeated a nationally ranked team since 2019. Since the start of the 2024 season, the Cardinals have recorded four wins over top 25 teams, including one win over a top-five program (South Dakota). Over the course of the two-plus seasons, Lamar is perfect 4-0 at home against nationally ranked teams.
 
Have Yourself a Day(vin)
Senior transfer Davin Driskell got his Lamar career off to a quick start Saturday. A native of Milledgeville, Ga., Driskell scored the first LU touchdown of the season and then came back later to haul in the touchdown pass that secured the victory over the nationally ranked Wildcats. Driskell ended the day with five catches for 34 yards and two scores.
 
Beaumont's Air Defense System
Lamar picked off 10 passes last season and is out to a quick start in that category in 2026. The Cardinals recorded two interceptions Saturday against ACU - both picks were the first career interceptions for both players. Freshman Mason Wuenschel got the first pick of the day followed by sophomore Zaylon Stoker in the second half.