BEAUMONT, Texas - Lamar University will look to even its record Saturday evening at Provost Umphrey Stadium when the Cardinals play their football home opener against Prairie View A&M. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. in a battle between Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) teams.
Lamar is coming off a 40-0 loss at Louisiana-Lafayette last Saturday to open the season in the Cardinals' first game against a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) team since reinstating the program in 2010. PV opened its season with a 44-41 Southwestern Athletic Conference loss to Texas Southern from Reliant Stadium.
Saturday's contest can be heard live in the Golden Triangle on
KLVI 560 AM with Harold Mann providing the play-by-play and former LU linebacker Bo Brown serving as analyst. It can also be watched live through the Lamar Athletics Web site at
www.LamarCardinals.com/allaccess.
In addition to the action on the field, the halftime show will feature outstanding band performances by Lamar's "Showcase of Southeast Texas" and Prairie View's "Marching Storm." Approximately 3,000 tickets remain for the game with ticket prices range from $15 to $30. Season ticket packages in all price ranges are available. For ticket information, call (409) 880-1715, or visit LamarCardinals.com.
"We need everybody to up and get out and pack this thing and make a lot of noise and maybe do to Prairie View what Lafayette did to us," said LU head coach Ray Woodard about having a home field advantage. "Let's get behind our team and be loud and come early and stay late and let's have a party."
This will be just the second ever meeting on the gridiron between the two schools. Lamar took down the Panthers 30-7 on Sept. 14, 1985, between 222 rushing yards and two touchdowns by running back Burton Murchison.
Lamar fans got to see junior transfer quarterback Ryan Mossakowski playing his first game for the Cardinals last week at Lafayette. The former high school All-America finished his first game with 81 passing yards on 12-of-19 attempts.
Redshirt sophomore Caleb Berry also saw time at quarterback against the Ragin' Cajuns and finished 6-of-10 for 75 yards with an interception.
"We're holding the ball too long on the throws," said Woodard about his quarterbacks' play Saturday. "We've got to understand that throwing the ball away is not a bad play sometimes. For the most part, the protection was better than most people thought it was because we held on too long."
Senior wide receiver Barry Ford proved to be a favorite target as he matched his career-high with five catches for 48 yards. Lamar wide receivers accounted for 13 of the 18 completions on the night.
Despite allowing 40 points, Lamar's defense played fairly well against Louisiana-Lafayette. The Cajuns took possession deep in Cardinal territory following four LU turnovers and had to settle for field goals on three of the four turnovers.
Lamar limited UL to 346 yards of total offense and held All-Sun Belt Conference quarterback Blaine Gautier to 7-of-18 passing for 142 yards.
Junior defensive back Chad Allen led all players with nine tackles, adding a fumble recovery. Fellow junior Jesse Dickson added seven tackles with two going for loss.
Lamar's defense will have to play well again this week against a Prairie View offense which put up 500 yards of total offense in its season opener. The Panthers had good balance on offense with 275 passing yards and 235 yards on the ground.
Sophomore running back Fred Anderson carried 17 times for 107 yards, while fellow sophomore Courtney Browne scored three times with 86 rushing yards. Sophomore quarterback De'Auntre Smiley was 13-of-20 for 196 yards before being knocked from the game.
Second year head coach Heishma Northern returns seven starters on defense. PV allowed 544 yards to Texas Southern in the season opener, but the Panthers did cause three turnovers. Junior linebacker Raheem Cardwell and sophomore defensive back Terrance Mitchell each had eight tackles against the Tigers.
"They're a very athletic team," said Woodard about the Panthers. "Offensively, they're going to spread the field and they're going to throw it when they think you've got a lot of guys on the line and they're going to run it when you've backed off.
"Defensively, it's almost the same thing. They're very athletic. They run around and fly around. They're coming off a very disappointing loss and I'm sure they're thinking that they kind of let one get away and they see this as a great opportunity to come over here and get their first win. They're well coached and disciplined and we're going to have our hands full."
COURTESY LAMAR UNIVERSITY MEDIA RELATIONS
Norman, Oklahoma - Oklahoma can strike quickly and often out of its no-huddle offense and the FAMU defensive unit has focused on the Sooners all week in preparation for Saturday’s game.
