Greetings, Lion fans, and in this week’s edition of the Notebook, we’ll take a look at what seems to be a very even matchup between the Lions and Cardinals of Lamar this Saturday in Beaumont. First, though, we’ll take a look back at one of the most frustrating losses in 2023, 17-13 to Houston Christian.

The Blue Gang started out much like they have all year in the first half, A mixture of bend but don’t break, and stretches of “wait…we’re supposed to stop the other team?”, then halftime and some masterful adjustments, then they become what we’ve all come to expect the Blue Gang to be, one of the best FCS defenses in the nation. They have seemed to struggle after an offensive turnover, even if they are not handicapped with a short field. Ultimately, defensive coordinator Kyle Williams and his staff are able to rally, the Blue Gang puts the clamp on the opposing offense and are able to keep the Lions in the game.

OVERALL:

Cardinal Offense:

Points: 20.0 ppg

Rush: 125.0 ypg

Pass: 192.3 ypg

Total: 317. 4 ypg

Turnover: 11

Blue Gang Defense:

Points: 28.7 ppg

Rush: 143.3 ypg

Pass: 277.1 ypg

Total: 420.6 ypg

Turnovers: 21

The Cardinals, while not having very flashy numbers, have been winners of four of their last five with a solid, no-frills offense, and a stingy defense, and some explosive special teams play. First year coach Pete Rossomando is significantly ahead of schedule in a rebuilding project of a program, that very recently, there were credible doubts and circulating rumors of the Cardinal program being shelved. With a Southland record of 3-1 and nipping at the heels of 4-0 UIW and Nicholls, the Lamar program in instead rising.

For the Blue Gang, the question will be, can they string two solid halves of defensive football together? With the struggles offensively this season, the Lion defense has had to play a very high risk, high reward style, not altogether like the “Wrecking Crew” defenses of Texas A&M-College Station in the 80’s and 90’s , where at times they would get victimized by a big play when the defense is in a blitz package. The goal for the Blue Gang this week to continue their third down play (HCU was limited to 4 of 13 on third downs last week), and not give up the big play.

UP FRONT/TALE OF THE TAPE:

Cardinal Offensive Line: 6’2″ 300 lbs.

Blue Gang Front 6: 6’1″ 242 lbs.

The Cardinal offensive line has a great deal of size and some experience. They are: Junior transfer Elias Ripley (6’2″ 290 lbs.), Sophomore Devin Fregia (6’3″ 287 lbs.), Junior Jevale Roberson (6’2″ 310 lbs.), Sophomore transfer Knox Boys (6’4″ 302 lbs.), and sophomore Reggie Brooks (6’3″ 315 lbs.). Again, they’re not flashy, but they get the job done, and have been the fuel for the midseason Cardinal run.

The Blue Gang front 6, even with all their struggles this season, have done a great job pressuring the passer and creating turnovers. They are among the Southland Conference leaders in both categories. Junior defensive end Clifford Funderburk (6’3″ 238 lbs.), leads the team in sacks with five, and his fellow defensive lineman, senior Levi Drake Rodriguez (6’4″ 290 lbs.) is second with four. They are joined by junior Warren Robinson (6’3″ 245 lbs.), and junior Leon Young (5’11” 260 lbs.). Junior linebacker Darryle Ware (6’2″ 218 lbs.) is tied for third on the team in tackles with 40 (18 solo), and he is joined by sophomore Jaheim Lowe (6’1″ 215 lbs.).

MOVERS AND SHAKERS/THE BACK LINE:

Cardinal Movers and Shakers: 6’0″ 185 lbs.

Blue Gang Back Line: 5’10” 173 lbs.

The Cardinal offense is directed by junior quarterback Robert Coleman (6’0″ 200 lbs.), who has 119 completions on 189 attempts, with 9 touchdowns, and a long of 54 yards. He has thrown 4 interceptions, and the Cardinals have surrendered 19 sacks.

Lamar’s ground game is led by Khalan Griffin (5’10” 206 lbs.), who has 569 yards on 126 carries, with three touchdowns, and a long of 40 yards. He has a very solid 4.51 yards per carry average.

The Cardinal receiving corps is paced by sophomore Andre Dennis (6’1″ 190 lbs.) who has 383 yards on 27 catches, two touchdowns, and a long of 45 yards. Junior Sevonne Rhea (5’11” 195 lbs.) follows with 12 receptions for 253 yards, 3 touchdowns, and a long of 75 yards. Sophomore Kyndon Fuselier (5’11” 175 lbs.) has 198 yards on 12 catches with one touchdown, and a long of 23 yards.

The Blue Gang back line is led by senior Dariyon Taylor (5’10” 160 lbs.) who has 53 tackles (31 solo) to lead the Lions. He also has three picks. Junior Max Epps (5″11″ 182 lbs.) is second on the team in tackles with 40 (19 solo) and leads the team in interceptions with four. They are joined in the secondary by sophomore Jordan Polk (6’0″ 182 lbs.), sophomore Kendall Paul (5’9″ 161 lbs.), and Sophomore Christian Shaw (5’10” 164 lbs.)

VERY SPECIAL, INDEED:

The Cardinal punter is Alfonso Deleon, who has a healthy 41.7-yard average on 37 punts, with a long of 64 yards. Junior Chris Esquada, who is 5 of 9 on field goals, with a long of 43 and is 19 of 21 on extra point attempts.

The Lion return game has begun to make some noise recently, led by sophomore defensive back Sean Krystoff-King (5’9″ 184 lbs.) who has 5 punt returns for a 4.4-yard average, with a long of 11 yards, and 12 kickoff returns for a 23-yard average, with a long of 72 yards.

THE LIONS WIN THIS MATCHUP IF: In a word, consistency. Can they put a full, consistent 60 minutes together? This week will certainly be a defensive struggle, given the Lions offensive problems, and the caliber of both defenses.

Believe it or not, Lion fans, there is still a lot to play for in these last two contests. If the Lions are able to win out, and adding in the Northwestern State game which we believe counts toward the conference record (I believe that to be the case, if I am incorrect, please feel free to message me. ), the Lions will finish with a 4-3 conference record, and have a chance for a top 3 Southland Conference finish. The road to that miracle finish begins this Saturday.

See You in Beaumont.