<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1dQ5J9_0vlHgskm00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1dQ5J9_0vlHgskm00" width="1704" height="1054" ></figure>BEAUMONT, Texas – For the first time in program history, the Lamar University football team will step on the field against a nationally ranked opponent as a nationally ranked team. Two teams, former Southland Conference foes, currently on similar paths and both of those paths are on an upward trajectory. When Lamar and Central Arkansas kick things off Saturday it will be one of the most intriguing matchups in the country.Both schools enter the week boasting a 3-1 (.750) overall record, both teams are riding three-game wins streaks, both are ranked and both opened the year on the road with heartbreaking losses to FBS opponents in games that could have gone either way. Just to make the matchup that much more enticing the Bears have the nation's third-leading rusher, ShunDerrick Powell (155.8 ypg) while Big Red will counter with Khalan Griffin who enters the week sixth in the country (120.8 ypg).The Bears enter the week No. 7 overall and in familiar territory. UCA has been a football power ever since they transitioned from the NCAA Division II level up to D-I FCS. For the No. 19 Cardinals, this is a continuation of a strong – and unexpected – 2023 campaign. The only difference is, Lamar is not catching anyone by surprise in 2024. For the Red and White to continue its best start since 2014, they will have to do so on the road against a team that has been historically unkind to the Red and White.Gameday Information#19 Lamar University at #7 Central ArkansasSaturday, Sept. 28, 2024 – 6 p.m.Estes StadiumTV: ESPN+/Radio: Newstalk 560 KLVISeries History: UCA leads, 9-1LU vs. the BearsThe series between Lamar and Central Arkansas dates back to 2011 - the second season after LU brought football back to Beaumont. During that time, the Bears have controlled the series with a 9-1 (.900) record, but the Cardinals' lone win in the series (2018) came in Conway (38-24). Saturday's meeting will be the first since the 2021 when UCA recorded an 11-point victory.Ground CardinalsSenior running back Khalan Griffin continued his hot start to the 2024 season with his second 100-yard game of the year and the seventh of his career. Griffin was simply dominant against Texas Southern carrying the ball 22 times for 124 yards (5.6 ypc) and two touchdowns, including the game-winning score with 1:05 on the clock. Griffin continues to lead the Southland and ranks sixth nationally in rushing yards per game (120.8). He also ranks fourth nationally in rushing yards (483).Quick StartLamar is off to its best start (3-1/.750) since 2014, and just the third 3-1 start since the rebirth of the program. The difference with the 2024 start is the previous two seasons (2011 and 2014) included wins against non-NCAA Division I teams. All four of Lamar's games this season have come against NCAA FBS or FCS opponents.That's A FirstLamar is just four games into the 2024 season and they have already done something not seen since the return of the program. The Cardinals already have three non-conference Division I wins and still have one more opportunity to add to that. It's the first time since the program's rebirth (2010) that LU has won three non-conference games against Division I opponents.</div></body>

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Top 25 Showdown Set in Conway

BEAUMONT, Texas – For the first time in program history, the Lamar University football team will step on the field against a nationally ranked opponent as a nationally ranked team. Two teams, former Southland Conference foes, currently on similar paths and both of those paths are on an upward trajectory. When Lamar and Central Arkansas kick things off Saturday it will be one of the most intriguing matchups in the country.