2021 FCS Season Preview: Lamar Cardinals
Second-year head coach Blane Morgan has a difficult task ahead of him at Lamar (2-4, 2-4 in Southland), but the Cardinals showed some fight in the spring season.
Lamar beat McNeese 27-26 in overtime and Northwestern State 31-23 behind a pair of solid performances from QB Jalen Dummett. Linebacker Anthony Ruffin and defensive lineman Tylo Phillips each earned all-conference nods.
Lamar will have a decidedly different look to it this season as it will be without 22 players that were on the roster in the spring. Lamar will be relying heavily on true freshman running back DeMarco Roberts.
Impact Players
QB Jalen Dummett: Dual-threat from California got stronger as the season progressed.
DB Anthony Ruffin: Ranked fourth in the league in passes defended and tied for lead in INTs.
RB Chaz Ward: Wears down defenses with his 6-foot, 231-pound frame.
Key Game: September 25 vs. Abilene Christian
Lamar
| Home | Time/Results | Away | Venue | Match Day | TV/Streaming | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
North American  | 3 - 47 |  Lamar | Provost Umphrey Stadium | Beaumont, TX | - | - |
| Lamar | 0 - 54 |  UTSA | Alamodome | San Antonio, TX | - | - |
| Lamar |  Northern Colorado | Nottingham Field | Greeley, CO | - | - | |
Abilene Christian  | Lamar | Provost Umphrey Stadium | Beaumont, TX | - | - | |
| Lamar |  Sam Houston | Bowers Stadium | Huntsville, TX | - | - | |
| Lamar | Abilene Christian | Wildcat Stadium (Abilene Christian) | Abilene, TX | - | - | |
Central Arkansas  | Lamar | Provost Umphrey Stadium | Beaumont, TX | - | - | |
| Lamar |  Eastern Kentucky | Roy Kidd Stadium | Richmond, KY | - | - | |
| Lamar |  Tarleton | Memorial Stadium (Tarleton) | Stephenville, TX | - | - | |
Jacksonville State  | Lamar | Provost Umphrey Stadium | Beaumont, TX | - | - | |
Stephen F. Austin  | Lamar | Provost Umphrey Stadium | Beaumont, TX | - | - |
Worst Case: Lamar, in new surroundings, falters with a very young team facing off against defending National Champions Sam Houston and perennial FCS Playoff participant Jacksonville State.
Best Case: Lamar, in new surroundings, pulls together quickly and keeps building off their two wins in the spring. Winning the conference might be a tall order, but a winning record and a shot at the playoffs isn’t out of the question.
Rob Butler is a lifelong Texas A&M football fan – his family is full of A&M graduates. He graduated from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas with two degrees – a BBA in Finance and an MBA. His hobbies include jogging and reading books pertaining to college football.
