Greetings, Lion fans, and it is indeed a very happy staff at The Wire after a badly needed win over McNeese State last Saturday at The Hawk. It was much bigger than expected. The offense, which had struggled all year, exploded behind junior Josh Magana and senior Raveon Hargrove for 470 total yards. Magana was 12-28 for 266 yards, a pair of touchdowns, including one that went for 74 yards, and only threw one interception. Hargrove rushed for 98 yards on 13 carries and had 139 all-purpose yards. He and junior Shamenski Rucker did an admirable job filling in for an injured Reggie Branch.

The Blue Gang was the Blue Gang again. Whatever defensive coordinator Kyle Williams and his staff did or said during the week, it worked. After some early first quarter stumbles, giving up a field goal, the defense clamped down and did not allow another McNeese point until late in the game, when it was out of reach. The turning point was early in the second quarter when McNeese had a fourth down and short yardage inside the Lions 10-yard line. The Lions stuffed the run play, took possession of the ball, and for all intents and purposes, the game.

The brightest spot of the whole night was the ear-to-ear smile on head coach Clint Dolezel’s face. It was the look of a man who had a great weight lifted from his shoulders. Later, in the Lion locker room, the Roll was Called as loud as it had ever been. Relief, finally.

However, that was last week. This is a new one and will be the toughest test the Lions will face in the Southland. The #7 ranked (#6 in the Coaches Poll) Incarnate Word Cardinals are next for the Lions. So, let’s jump right in and see what is what.

OVERALL:

Lion Offense:

Points: 18.6 ppg

Rush: 141.6 ypg

Pass: 174.6 ypg

Total: 316.2 ypg

Turnovers: 6

Cardinal Defense:

Points: 16.8 ppg

Rush: 141.6 ypg

Pass: 144.8 ypg

Total: 286.4 ypg

Turnovers: 7

The Cardinal defense, although without the eye-popping stats of 2022, are still a very stingy and effective unit. Their strength lies in their defensive line. The Cardinals are big, athletic, and very experienced.

The Lion offense, behind new starter Josh Magana, has improved markedly in the past two weeks, and despite injuries in the offensive line and backfield, continues to make good decisions and the routine play. The challenge for the Lion offense this week is to control the ball and not turn it over.

TALE OF THE TAPE/UP FRONT:

Lion Offensive Line: 6’3″ 327 lbs.

Cardinal Front 6: 6’1″ 252 lbs.

The Cardinal defensive line is led by grad student Ayodele Adeoye (6’1″ 250 lbs.), and Steven Parker (6’4″ 237 lbs, Jr.). They anchor a defensive front that includes redshirt freshman Chase Carter (6’4″ 255 lbs.) and grad student Darren Brown (6’3″ 323 lbs.). Parker leads the team with 4.5 sacks.

Linebacker Tylan Foster (5’11” 225 lbs., Jr.) leads the Cardinals in tackles with 36 (23 solo). He is joined by redshirt sophomore Ricky Rich (6’1″ 222 lbs.).

The Lions have done a little shuffling on the offensive line due to injuries but have only given up 6 sacks this season. New to the starting offensive line is freshman Cole Thrift (6’8″ 345 lbs.), and sophomore Peyton Ellis (6’4″ 316 lbs.). They blended quite well with sophomore Kyle Lofye (6’3″ 312 lbs.), junior Santos Valdez (6’1″ 321 lbs.), and junior Michael Martin (6’1″ 345 lbs.).

The balance of the game breaks here. If the Lions are able to control the line of scrimmage somewhat, avoid the self-inflicted penalties, and give Magana some time, there’s some advantage to be had.

MOVERS AND SHAKERS/THE BACK LINE:

Lion Movers and Shakers: 5’11” 198 lbs.

Cardinal Back Line: 5’11” 190 lbs.

Junior Mason Chambers is second on the Cardinal defense in tackles with 28 (13 solo), along with grad student Tre Richardson (6’2″ 178 lbs.), who had 27 tackles (19 solo). Richardson leads the team in picks with two. They are joined by senior Tiji Paul (5’10” 161 lbs.), junior Ronald Wilson (5’10” 220 lbs.), and grad student Brandon Richard (5′ 11″ 183 lbs.) form one of the best position groups i the Southland.

It is unknown at this time of the availability of Lion leading rusher Reggie Branch, but rest assured , the backfield is in good hands with Rucker, Hargrove, and company. It has been a running back by committee arrangement that is beginning to pay off. Magana, although not the runner/speedster that Parrish is, has shown a knack for making good decisions with the ball, and throws such a catchable pass.

The question is, can the Lions establish enough of a run game to keep the Cardinals honest, and give Magana time to work his magic? We’ll find out.

VERY SPECIAL, INDEED: Much, much better effort from the special teams this week. Mitchell McGarry has just continued to get better, and while not having statistics that would make you sit up and take notice, with 29 punts for a 38.3-yard average, continues to flip field position in the Lions’ favor, nailing one punt down at the McNeese 1 yard line. The kick coverage was great, the tackling solid and tough, and senior Emmanuel Adagbon rebounded from a tough week last week, connecting on field goals of 51 and 41 yards, as well as a perfect 5 0f 5 on extra points.

Sophomore Dekalon Turner (5’9″ 166 lbs.) is the leading punt returner for the Cardinals, averaging 11.3 yards on 13 returns, with a long of 29. He also has 9 kick returns for a 23.0-yard average, with a long of 34 yards.

THE LIONS WIN THIS MATCHUP IF: This is the toughest matchup of the conference for the Lions. And it’s personal. If you were there last year, heard and saw some of the comments from Incarnate Word players, coaches, and fans, then you would remember. There wasn’t a whole lot of respect shown. . They were good, still are, they knew it, and they like to let you know about it as well.

Things are different now. Yes, the Lions are 1-4. They’re 1-0 in the Southland, however. Just like Incarnate Word. The Lions have prepared themselves for the rigors of conference play by taking on the toughest FCS non-conference opponents in the country. The offense is vastly improved, and if the line can hold up, then the Lions have very, very good opportunity to pull off the upset.

See You in San Antonio.