LU Football Game Program - Sept. 17, 2022

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Date Opponent Time

Oct. 22 Prairie View A&M* 4 p.m.

All times Central and subject to change Home Games in Bold

Oct. 8 at UIW* 4 p.m.

University Information School

Table of Contents

Running Backs Tyler Bates (East Texas Baptist, ‘16) Defensive Line Taylor Godinet (Kansas State, ‘14) Strength and Conditioning Davis Conley Head Athletic Trainer Kristen Willeford

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Schedule/Quick Facts 3 University President 5 Athletics Administration 5 Stadium Map Parking Map

Coaching Staff

National Affiliation NCAA Division I - FCS President Dr. Jaime Taylor Director of Athletics Jeff O’Malley Faculty Representative Dr. Robert Spina

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Sept. 1 at Abilene Christian

First Year of Football 1923

Head Coach Blane Morgan (Air Force, 1999) Record at Lamar/Seasons 4-15/Third Season Record at NCAA Division I Same Office Phone (409) 880-7157

Founded 1923 Enrollment 15,639 Nickname Cardinals Colors Red and White Conference Southland

Nov. 5 Southeastern Louisiana* 3 p.m.

Football History

LU Head Coach Blane Morgan 8-9 Patrick Covington/Matt Weikert Scott Thiessen/Coby Gipson Jackson Eskierka/Wayne Cordova/David Mertens Marshall Mann/Taylor Godinet/Tyler Bates Dan Darcy/Kristin Willeford/Support Staff

Team Information

All-Time SLC Record 64-127-2/33 Season

First Year of SLC Football 1964

Stadium Information Stadium

Provost Umphrey Stadium Year Opened 1964 as Cardinal Stadium Record at Stadium/Seasons 96-100-3/38 seasons 16,000/FieldTurf Classic HD Press Box Phone (409) 880-7489

*Indicates SLC contest $Homecoming

Tight Ends David Mertens (Wisconsin-Milwaukee, ‘17)

Special Teams Coord./OLBs Scott Thiessen (Youngstown St., ’04) Exec. HC/Rec. Coord./WRs Coby Gibson (LeTourneau, ’02)

Sept. 17 Northern Colorado 6 p.m.

Nov. 12 at New Mexico State 3 p.m.

Senior Woman Administrator Helene Thill Athletics Department (409) 880-2248 Ticket Office (409) 880-1715

Nov. 19 at McNeese* 7 p.m.

2022 Lamar University Players 18-19, 21-22 & 26-27 Gameday Information 22-25 Alumni Affairs 29-30

Oct. 29 Nicholls* 3 p.m.

Cornerbacks Marshall Mann (Baylor, ‘17)

2021 Overall Record 2-9 2021 Home Record 1-4 2021 Away Record 1-5 2021 WAC Record/Finish 0-7/8th Offensive Formation Multiple Defensive Formation Base 3-4 Starters Returning/Lost 12-16 Offensive Starters 7/4 Defensive Starters 4/7 Special Team Starters 1/5 Letterwinners Returning/Lost 41/37

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First Year as a Senior College 1951

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Quarterbacks Jackson Eskierka (San Diego State, ’06) Safeties Wayne Cordova (McNeese ’05)

All-Time Record (4-year) 222-307-9/50 seasons

SLC Championships/Last 4/1971 NCAA FCS Playoff Appearances/Last 1/2018

Lamar University Location Beaumont, Texas (114,680)

3:30 p.m.

Oct. 1 Houston Baptist*$ 3 p.m.

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Capacity/Surface

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Quick Facts

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Sept. 10 at SMU L, 45-16

Sept. 24 at Northwestern State*

Asst. Head Coach/OC/OLs: Patrick Covington (Furman, ’81) Defensive Coordinator/ILBs Matt Weikert (Ohio, ’02)

James

MediaAssistantDixonAD/Relations

Taylor has had significant success in growing student enrollment and improving student success metrics at two different institutions across all levels of administration. Under his leadership, Marshall University achieved record freshman retention rates and six-year graduation rates, with year-over-year increases of 6% and 5% respectively. Likewise, Taylor oversaw a 26% increase in the Austin Peay State University freshman class while serving as interim provost after just one year of implementing a new plan that intentionally put faculty and academics at the center of recruitment efforts. He also oversaw an increase in the freshman retention rate at Austin Peay State University of 6%, and an increased retention rate of 9% for Black freshman.

SportsAssistantWillefordAD/Medicine

Silas Banda Director of

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Moses

KyleAnnualNelsonFundConsultant

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Dr. Jaime R. Taylor is the 16thpresident of Lamar University, which serves more than 17,000 students in both under graduate and graduate programs. Before his appointment in July 2021, Taylor served as Marshall University’s provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. Signature achievements during his time at Marshall include strategic planning and programming to support dramatic increases in first-year retention and six-year graduation rates, the development of new academic programs including a fixed-wing aviation program and a doctorate of business administration, and the doubling of university-wide research expenditures, the latter leading to a new Carnegie classification for Marshall as an R2 research institution.

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Taylor received his Ph.D. and M.S. in engineering from the University of Tennessee Space Institute, his B.S. in phys ics and mathematics from Austin Peay State University and an A.A.S. in industrial engineering technology from Nashville State Technical Institute. He also spent four years as a NASA Faculty Fellow working on applications of soft computing.

Taylor is a natural collaborator and recognizes when people love what they do, they develop fierce internal motivation and are creatively invested in the mission of the institution. By fostering a campus culture that relies on shared governance and values the expertise everyone brings to the table, Taylor invites every stakeholder to own both the prob lems and the successes of the university. His collaborative leadership style resulted in Austin Peay State University being named to the Honor Roll of the Chronicle of Higher Education’s Great Colleges to Work For, with particular recognition for Confidence in Senior Leadership and Collaborative Governance both years he served as interim provost.

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Prior to his work at Marshall, Taylor spent a significant portion of his career at Austin Peay State University, where he served two years as interim provost and vice president for academic affairs, eight years as dean of the College of Sci ence and Mathematics and eight years as chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Taylor is an award-winning teacher of physics and was honored as an Austin Peay State University Outstanding Alumni.

Jeff DirectorO’MalleyofAthletics DerekExternalAssociateSchrammAD/AffairsHelene AcademicAssociateThillAD/Affairs

Kristin

Content/DigitalCreativeStrategies

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Provost Umphrey Stadium Parking Map

Blane Morgan Head Coach - Lamar University 4-15/Third Season

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In his first season, Morgan was tasked with guiding one of the youngest teams in the nation – 57 freshman – through the rigors of the conference schedule. Despite a depth chart that consisted of 35 under classmen, including 21 freshmen, the Cardinals stunned the Southland Conference by finishing tied for fifth in the league (after being picked last in the presea son polls). Morgan and his managedstaffall this while guiding the program through an pandemic.unprecedentedMor gan’s first victory as Cardinals head coach had a storybook ending.

Facing rival McNeese, the Cardinals overcame a first-half double-digit deficit to rally for the victory in overtime.

Morgan produced two all-conference selections during his first season when sophomore defensive back Anthony Ruffin and junior defensive linemen Tylo Phillips were named All-Southland Conference at the end of the Afterseason.aone-year hiatus, Morgan will now guide the Cardinals as they transition back into the Southland Conference for the 2022-23 season.

A direct disciple of legendary coaches Rocky Long, Fisher DeBerry and Troy Calhoun, Morgan comes to Beaumont after spending the previous five seasons at San Diego State. During his time with the Aztecs, Morgan produced some of the most talented signal-callers in program history, while helping guide the Aztecs to five consecutive bowl game appearances.

A once-struggling program, SDSU experienced some of its best results during Morgan’s time on staff. Over the course of his five seasons in San Diego, SDSU recorded a 48-18 (.727) overall record including five bowl appearances, posting a 2-2 (.500) mark in those games. That five-year stretch produced two 11-win campaigns, a 10-win season and two Mountain West Conference championships.UnderMorgan’sguidance,theAztecsignal-callersrankedsecondintheMountainWest,and12thnationally,in2018averagingnearly15passyardspercompletion.Inaddition,MorganoversawthedevelopmentofquarterbackRyanAgnewwhoposteda6-1recordinsevenstartsandownedthesixth-highestwinper

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A coach with more than 20 years of experience, Blane Morgan was named Lamar University head coach Dec. 12, 2019, becoming just the third coach since the university re-established the program prior to the 2010 season. Morgan also becomes the program’s 10th head coach since transitioning to a four-year institution.

Morgan’s players also received high praise under his direction. Morgan produced Shaun Carney, who graduated in 2008 as the school’s all-time leader in passing touchdowns, yards and total offense. That same season, Morgan also produced the school’s first Mountain West

centage nationally among all returning starters with a minimum of seven starts in 2018. Agnew continued that production in 2019 by guiding the Aztecs back to the postseason with a 10-3 (.769) overall record.

There is a longstanding love affair with the game of football in the Morgan family. Blane, originally born in Nacogdoches, Texas, played for his father, Barry, at Trinity Christian Academy in Addison. Morgan would go on to play his collegiate football at Air Force, where he was named the 1998 WAC Co-Offensive Player of the Year. Morgan followed in his brother Beau’s footsteps serving as the starting quarterback at both schools.Morgan graduated from the Academy in 1999, and served in the Air Force with the rank of Captain at Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio, Texas, from July 2000 to February 2003. Morgan, and his wife, Mandy, have two children – a son, Brodie, and a daughter, Camille.

Air Force’s offense excelled under Morgan’s direction. The Falcons’ 2011 squad set a single-season school record by scoring 454 points and finished third all-time in program history in rushing touchdowns (43) and fourth in passing TDs (16). The team’s 60.3 completion percentage was the second-best mark in program history. The Falcons offense received national recognition being ranked as high as 24th nationally in passing efficiency and third in yards per completion.

A native of Addison, Texas, Morgan returns to the state where he has spent the majority of his time focusing his efforts as a recruiter. Morgan recruited the state of Texas for both Air Force and SDSU, and the current Aztec roster bears witness to his work on the recruiting trail. The Aztecs’ 2020 roster consisted of 12 players from the Lone Star State, including seven of those on the depth chart. Among those seven is the current starting quarterback – Ryan Agnew (Southlake, Texas).

All told, Morgan has helped take his teams to 12 Bowl game appearances in the past 13 seasons.

Freshman of the Year with Tim Jefferson. Jefferson won the first five games of his career and became the first Falcon freshman quarterback to start a bowl game.

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Morgan joined the San Diego State staff after a highly successful run at the Air Force Academy where he spent 13 seasons, including the final eight as offensive coordinator. During that stretch, the Falcons posted a 59-44 (.573) overall record, a run that included two nine-win seasons and a 10-win campaign. The Falcons also made sev en Bowl appearances during that time, posting a 3-4 postseason record.

In his second year with the team, Weikert worked with one of the youngest defenses in school history. LU’s 2021 depth chart had only seven upperclassmen, and just three seniors. That squad also consisted of 13 freshmen as Big Red builds for the future.

In his first season with the Car dinals, Weikert’s defense produced two all-conference selections despite the squad’s overall youth. Junior defensive end Tylo Phillips and sophomore defen sive back Anthony Ruffin both garnered third-team all-league honors as LU stunned the Southland by finishing in a tie for fifth in the league standings.

Patrick Covington

In 2009, Air Force had one of its best defenses in school history. The defense led the conference and ranked fifth nationally in pass defense (154.3 ypg). The unit was second in the conference and 11th nationally in total defense, allowing just 288.3 yards per game. The team was second in the league and 10th nationally in scoring defense (15.7), the program’s best mark since 1998. USAFA’s defense also scored five touchdowns in 2009.

A native of Covington, Ohio, Weikert, and his wife, Kelly (Graher), have four sons — Laken, Knox, Finley and Major.

Matt Weikert

Defensive Coordinator/ Inside Linebackers

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nationally in rushing yards per game, red zone offense, time of possession, first downs and both third- and fourth-down conversion percentage for much of the season. CCU finished the year ranked in the top 10 nationally in fourth-down conversion percentage (68.8), fewest penalties (52), fewest penalties per game (4.33) and fewest penalty yards (493).

Covington is a 2006 graduate of Furman University. He was a three-year starter and four-year letterwinner for the Paladins from 2002-05. A two-time All-Southern Conference selection, he was rated as the No. 6 guard in all of NCAA FCS (then I-AA) football by The Sports Network. He garnered Sports Network first-team All-American and second-team AP All-American honors during his career. Covington also received Strength and Conditioning All-Ameri ca honors during his career.

Patrick Covington is in his third season serving as Lamar University’s offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. Covington comes to Beaumont after spending 10 years at Coastal Carolina work ing with the Chanticleers’ offensive line – the final season he accepted the added title of assistant head coach.

Weikert originally joined the Wake Forest staff in 2002 as a recruit ing intern.A2002 graduate of Ohio, Weikert received a bachelor’s degree in communications.

During the 2015 season, the line helped CCU lead the Big South in eight different categories, including passing offense, red zone offense and total offense. That season coming on the heels of a 2014 campaign that watched the Chanticleers head back to the NCAA FCS playoffs and finish the regular season with a perfect 11-0 record and ranked No. 1 in the nation during the final two weeks of the regular season. CCU led the nation in fourth down conversions while also ranking among the nation’s top 20 in first downs, third-down conver sions, scoring offense and total offense.

Matt Weikert joined the LU coaching staff in January 2020 as the defensive coordinator and works direct ly with the Cardinals’ inside linebackers.

A native of Charlotte, N.C., Covington attended Myers Park High School where he was a three-year starter and served as a team captain. He is married to the former Ann Louise Duncan. The couple has a son, Gus, and a daughter, Annie.

Weikert comes to Beaumont after spending the 2019 season at Vanderbilt working with the Commodores’ outside linebackers. Prior to arriving on the West End, Weikert spent 12 seasons at Air Force, includ ing nine as outside linebackers’ coach. He also worked with the Falcons’ defensive line and inside linebackers during his time with the USAFA.

In 2018, the Chants’ offense led the Sun Belt and ranked in the top 25

While at Ohio, Weikert was a member of the football team for five seasons, four of which came under the direction of head coach Jim Grobe. He earned second-team All-Mid-American Conference honors in 2000 after leading the Bobcats in tackles for loss (16) and sacks (6). He also recorded two interceptions and broke up four passes that season.

Despite numerous records, Covington’s biggest point of pride may have been preventing defenses from making plays. In 2013, CCU led the nation in fewest tackles for losses allowed per game while also ranking among the nation’s leaders in fewest sacks allowed per game.

Asst. Head OffensiveCoach/OC/Line

Weikert served as Wake Forest’s operations and video assistant in 2006 in his second stint at the school. He spent the 2005 season as the outside linebackers’ coach at Tennessee-Chattanooga. Prior to his work in Chattanooga, Weikert worked at Wake Forest for two years as a graduate assistant. The first year he was the defensive graduate assistant, working primarily with defensive coordinator Dean Hood and linebackers coach Brad Lambert. He was also heavily involved with the scout offense in preparing the defensive unit each week, as well as weekly opponent game planning.

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In his first season on staff with LU, Covington led one of the nation’s young est offensive lines through the rigors of the Southland Conference schedule. On opening day, Big Red’s starting front consisted of two sophomores and three freshmen, with a total of seven freshmen on the depth chart. By season’s end, due to some injuries, the starting front was four freshmen and a sophomore. Despite the lack of experience, the Cards young linemen improved each week. Entering 2022, the Cardinals O-Line now has another year of experience under its belt, but all five starters return as just sophomores.Duringhis time at Coastal Carolina, Covington’s line twice led the Sun Belt in fewest sacks and produced 18 all-conference selections, including three All-Americans. His lines also protected for several players who would go on to be finalists for the Walter Payton Award.

Weikert helped transform Air Force’s defense into one of the top units in the Mountain West Conference, ranking among the league leaders in defensive scoring, rushing, passing and total defense.

Coby Gipson

In his first season with LU, Gipson’s stable of backs finished sixth in the Southland in rushing – a mark that may not seem impressive on the surface to the average fan, but when taking a closer look it takes on more significance. In the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign, LU’s running backs were either freshmen or sophomores, and that stable of backs was running behind an offensive line that was just as young (four freshmen and a sophomore). In 2021, LU had five backs averaged bet ter than 3.4 yards per carry, and had four different backs rush for nearly 300 yards.

losses, and tying for team-high honors with 6.5 sacks. Gipson joined the ETBU staff from Howard Payne where he spent two seasons as the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator.

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While at the Air Force prep academy, two primary goals that Thies sen had were retention and player development. He recorded a nearly 70 percent retention rate during his time at the helm, and 70 percent of Air Force’s starters were former prep school players.

During his time at HPU, Gipson’s offense finished fifth in the Amer ican Southwest Conference in rushing yards per game in 2017 and set the HPU record for completions in a game with 39 in 2018. He was the position coach for the only freshman on the All-ASC first-team in 2017. The following year, Gipson’s offense finished third in the conference in completion percentage and his top receiver, Duntayvion Gross, led the league in Gipsonreceptions.joinedthe HPU coaching staff after spending the previous five years as the head coach at Bishop T.K. Gorman in Tyler. During his time at Bishop Gorman, Gipson guided the Crusaders to three-straight playoff appearances. Bishop Gorman’s success included an area and regional championship to go along with the trip to the 2014 TAPPS State semifinals. Under Gipson’s direction, the Crusaders posted a 28-17 (.622) overall record, which was the program’s best four-year winning percentage in the team’s 60-year history.

Thiessen graduated from Youngstown State in May 2004. A transfer from Modesto, Thiessen was a versatile athlete who played every posi tion in the Penguins’ secondary. The true definition of a student athlete, Thiessen earned Academic All-America honors at both the NCAA FCS and NJCAA levels. He received his Master’s of Arts in Special Education in July 2010. Thiessen, and his wife, Alayne, of 14 years have two sons, Carter and Ryder.

Before Bishop Gorman, he served as the offensive coordinator at Grace Community High School (Tyler, Texas), who made it to the state semifinals in 2011. There he was a part of a staff that was named the TAPPS District 2 Coaching Staff of the Year in 2010 and 2011.

Coby Gipson joined the Lamar University coaching staff in January 2020 taking over as the recruiting coordinator and coaching the Cardi nals’ running backs. Entering his third season with the program, he will be working with receivers this season.

Scott Thiessen

Prior to his time at the Air Force Prep Academy, Thiessen spent six seasons as an assistant on staff at Chapman University. During his time in Orange, Calif., Thiessen worked directly with the Panthers’ secondary. Thiessen’s coaching career began at Modesto Junior College where he worked with the Modesto JC cornerbacks.

Gipson has also worked in football outside of the school setting, serving as the Head Coach of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Heart of a Champion Bowl in 2016, Offensive Coordinator in 2011, and as the bowl game’s assistant director from 2011-2016. In 2016-2017, he was honored with the Northeast Texas FCA Influence Award.

Gipson is a graduate of LeTourneau University and received his master’s degree from Concordia-Irvine. He and his wife Christy – a former ETBU All-American in softball – have two children, daughter, Camryn, and a son, Connor.

Special Teams Coordinator/ Outside Linebackers

While at ETBU, Gipson helped the Tigers record their fifth-straight winning season. During the 2019 season, Gipson’s defensive front set the tone for a unit that recorded 82 tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

Gipson produced two of the league’s more dominant players in 2019, a list that includes a first-team all-conference selection and a true freshman. Anton Clark led ETBU in tackles, tackles for losses and sacks on his way to being honored as one of the top linemen in the American Southwest Conference. As a true freshman, James Wright IV had an immediate impact with the Tigers recording 50 tackles, including 12 for

Executive Head Coach/ Recruiting Coordinator/ Wide Receivers

During his time at Bishop Gorman, he coached 21 players that gar nered all-state recognition, one Parade All-American receiver – Judah Bell – two District Defensive MVPs and a District MVP.

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Scott Thiessen joined the Lamar University Cardinals coaching staff in February 2020 and is in his second season working with LU’s outside linebackers.Anative of Modesto, Calif., a veteran with 17 years of coaching expe rience, Thiessen comes to the Golden Triangle after spending eight seasons at the Air Force Prep School in Colorado where he served as head coach.

Gipson comes to LU after spending the 2019 campaign as the defensive line coach at East Texas Baptist University.

Thiessen oversaw a staff of eight to 12 coaches and worked with a new 55-man roster every season. During his time at the prep academy, Thiessen worked with defensive backs, defensive line, linebackers and also served as defensive and special teams coordinator.

Also serving as the Cardinals special teams coordinator, Thiessen helped turn a former walk-on into one of the WAC’s top kicker/punters last season. Bailey Giffen boomed nine punts of at least 50 yards in 2021, including 19 punts downed inside the opponent’s 20, while aver aging better than 39 yards per punt. As a kicker he was 7-of-10 on field goals (.700) including two makes of more than 50 yards.

Jackson Eskierka joined the LU coaching staff in January 2020, following Blane Morgan over from San Diego State. Eskierka is in his third season working with the Cardinals’ quarterbacks.

Cordova made the move to Southern following two seasons McNeese, serving as the safeties coach. During his time with the Cowboys, Cordova produced an All-Southland selection in Dominique Hill.

Cordova joined the collegiate ranks after earning his stripes at the high school level. He spent the 2016 season at Newman High School (La.) where he was the defensive coordinator, and prior to that, was on the Tulane Green Wave staff for two years as the Director of Player Personnel-External Relations. Cordova previously served as the head coach at St. Augustine (2006-08) and served as an assistant coach at Destrehan (2012-13) and Brother Martin (200911). Cordova got his start at the collegiate level at Grambling in 2013 where he was the Director of Player Personnel.

Wayne Cordova Safeties

During his time in Baton Rouge, Cordova coached the Jaguars’ safeties

Jackson Eskierka Quarterbacks

Eskierka began his career at SDSU serving a dual role for the Aztecs. Beginning in 2013, he served as the equipment manager in addition to working as a coach’s assistant. During that time, he was responsible for charting plays in game for the offensive staff.

Wayne Cordova is entering his third season on the Cardinal sidelines after mak ing the move from Baton Rouge, La., where he spent one season on staff at Southern University. Cordova is an assistant on the defensive staff coaching LU’s safeties.

Eskierka received his bachelor’s degree from San Deigo State in Decem ber 2016. He was named to the Dean’s List three times during his collegiate career. He has completed course work toward a master’s degree in liberal arts and interdisciplinary studies.

manager.Mertens came to Beaumont from Milwaukee, Wisc., where he served as a graduate assistant coach working with the Wisconsin Lutheran College defensive linemen. During his lone season with WLC, he produced a first-team all-conference selection for a defense that led the NACC in forced turnovers.

Despite his accuracy, Dummett may have been a bigger weapon with his feet. The 6-2, 220-pound Dummett finished the season as the team’s third leading rusher carrying the ball 76 times for 200 yards and two touchdowns.

Mertens began his coaching career at Howard Payne where he also served as a graduate assistant coach. During his time in Brownswood, he worked with the HPU linebackers. He also served as HPU’s assistant academic coordinator and community service coordinator.

Cordova had similar results with his squad last season. Three of the Cardinals top four tacklers were safeties. That same trio also combined for four interceptions, and transfer Divine Buckrham was one of the top newcomers in the WAC recording 44 tackles (17 solos) and one pick.

David Mertens

David Mertens originally joined the Cardinals’ staff in June 2020 but is entering his first season as LU’s tight ends coach.

During his first two seasons with the program, Mertens has overseen several aspects of the Cardinals’ program. During that time, Mertens has served as the director of operations, while also serving as the assistant running backs coach. Mertens eventually took on the added roles of interim academic coordinator and interim equipment

Eskierka comes to Beaumont after spending the past seven years at San Diego State, including his last three as a graduate assistant coach. During his time with the Aztecs, Eskierka served a vital role with three teams that advanced to Bowl games. During that time, Eskierka helped coach the Aztecs to 27 wins and three Bowl game appearances. That stretch also included two 10-win sea sons and a Mountain West Conference division title for the Aztecs.

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During his first season with Big Red, Eskierka was in the unenviable task of working with a position group which had no returning players from the year before. He was given the challenge of producing a depth chart consisting of players who had never taken a snap at LU.

In his first season in Beaumont, Cor dova helped transform sophomore Anthony Ruffin into one of the top young defensive backs at the FCS level. A third-team all-con ference selection in just his second season with the team, Ruffin led the Cardinals with 43 stops, including 28 solo tackles, and a team-high three interceptions in the COVID-shortened 2020 season. Ruffin was named SLC Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in helping LU record a victory over Northwestern State.

more accurate passers (finishing second overall among all SLC quarterbacks who played an actual league schedule during the COVID-shortened). Dummett completed nearly 64 percent of his passes for 478 yards and four touchdowns.

As a player, Cordova was named a member of the 75th Anniversary Football Team as well as playing for the Cowboys’ Southland Championship and 1997 National Championship Runner-Up squad. He helped guide McNeese to two playoff appearances during that time. A 1999 first-team All-Southland Foot ball League selection, Cordova was named the Johnnie Caldarera Defensive Player of the Year after posting 113 tackles. He ended his career with 305 total tackles, ranking 11th on the school career record list.

All Eskierka did was produce one of the top newcomers in the league last season in the form junior Jalen Dummett. Taking over the starting role, and battling through mid-season injuries, the Cardinals’ offense improved each week under Dummett. A dual-threat weapon, Dummett became one of the league’s

and served as the special teams coordinator. While at Southern, Cordova turned sophomore Tamaurice Smith into one of the league’s top defensive backs. Smith garnered All-SWAC honors following a season that saw him record 27 tackles and a team-high five interceptions, including eight pass break ups.

He received his bachelor’s degree from McNeese in 2005. Cordova and his wife, CeCe, have five children: Corey, Jordan, Landon, Kandyn and Chloe.

Mertens has also made several coaching stops at the high school ranks before joining the Cardinals. He received his bachelor’s degree from Wiscon sin-Milwaukee in May 2017. He received a Master’s of Education from LU in December 2021.

Tight Ends

defense and rush defense last season.

Defensive Line

A former conference freshman of the year selection, Bates was selected in the 38th round of the 2016 MLB Amateur Draft by the Los Angeles Angles. He spent one season in the Angles’ organization before earning a spot in the Colorado Rockies minor league system.

Marshall Mann Cornersbacks

Prior to his one-year stop at Pittsburg State, Godinet spent six seasons in Manhattan, Kansas working with the Kansas State program. During his time with the Wildcats, he served as assistant director of recruiting and defensive quality control coach. Godinet took over the role of interim defensive ends coach in March 2017, and during his six seasons with KSU he worked with the defensive line and spent two seasons working with defensive backs.

Tyler Bates Running Backs

Godinet’s efforts on the recruiting trail produced strong results that turned into wins for the Wildcats on the field. After posting a six-win sea son in 2015, the Wildcats went on to produce three eight-win seasons and a nine-win campaign.

DuringState.his lone season with the Gorillas, he helped guide the team to an 8-3 (.727) overall record while producing two all-conference players. Godinet’s line was a key factor in the Gorillas finishing second in the league in scoring defense, total

Entering his second season with the program, Tyler Bates will work directly with the Cardinal running backs. Bates originally came to the Golden Triangle in August 2021 as a graduate assistant coach working with Big Red receivers and return specialists.

Taylor Godinet joined the Lamar University coaching staff in May 2022 and will work directly with the Cardinals’ defensive line. Godinet brings seven years of collegiate coaching experience with him to the Golden Triangle – in cluding six years within the Big 12 – and joins Blane Morgan’s staff after one season as the defensive line coach at Pittsburg

Bates made the transition to the sideline after spending several years

Mann graduated from Baylor in 2017 with a Bachelor of Education degree. He graduated from Howard Payne with a Master of Business Administration in May 2020.

Godinet’s time on the sideline began after a standout playing career with the Wildcats. A former walk-on, Godinet was a four-year letterwinner with the Wildcats (2010-14). During his playing career, Godinet received the Nancy Bennett Memorial Award and the Anthony Bates Award. Godinet received his bachelor’s degree from KSU in December 2014.

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Taylor Godinet

in the business sector working for D-Bat-Mansfield, Parex USA and the LKQ Batescorporation.graduated from East Texas Baptist University in May 2016. A two-sport star in college, Bates was a two-time All-American on the gridiron and conference MVP in 2015. The MVP honors came on the heels of a newcomer of the year honor as a freshman. During the spring, Bates was a three-time Gold Glove selection on the baseball diamond.

Marshall Mann is in his third year on the Lamar University coaching staff. Originally hired as the director of operations, Mann is now in his second season of working with the LU cor nerbacks. Mann comes to the Golden Triangle after spending the previous three seasons at Howard Payne. Mann was originally hired as a graduate assistant with the Yellow

Jackets, before being promoted to assistant coach and recruiting coordi nator. While the majority of his time was focused on the HPU secondary, Mann spent the 2018 season working with the Yellow Jacket defensive linemen.Mann arrived in Brownswood during a time when the HPU program was struggling. After recording just two victories in his first two seasons, Mann helped lead a squad that more than doubled its win total from the previous two years. The Yellow Jackets closed out the 2019 season with five wins.

He has worked various camps over the years, including the SoccerPlus CT Speed, Strength and Conditioning Camp in 2010 in New Britain, Conn., and the Speed Development Camp in 2009 in Newington, Conn.

strength, power, injury prevention and nutrition education for athletes ages 1318.

Darcy also has a wealth of experience working with teams across the whole collegiate sports spectrum. While in Flagstaff, he also worked with men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball, soccer, men’s and women’s track and field/ cross country and the swimming and diving programs.

During Willeford’s time in Portland, she served as the assistant athletic trainer providing coverage to the Viking softball and football teams. A certified athletic train er who hold several licenses, Willeford also served as the athletic department’s mental health training coordinator and NCAA drug testing program coordinator.

Kristin Willeford was named Lamar University assistant athletics director for sports medicine in June 2019. Willeford comes the Golden Triangle from the North west after spending two years at Portland State.

Before returning to school to complete her graduate work, Willeford served as an Industrial Health Specialist with Concentra in Enid, OK. In this position, she worked with a variety of industrial employees to reduce workplace injuries and improve industrial safety regulations.

Kristin Willeford Strength & CoordinatorConditioning

Kiara Mayo Director of Football Operations

He is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association and the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association.

Prior to Portland State, Willeford spent three years at Furman in Greenville, S.C. working with the Paladin football program beginning in 2015. Before head ing to Furman Willeford was a graduate assistant athletic trainer with the Illinois State football program from 2013 to 2015.

Willeford received her Bachelor of Science degree in athletic training from Oklahoma State in 2011 and her master’s in athletic training from Illinois State in 2015. She is a native of Lakeville, Minnesota.

Cecil Banks Video Coordinator/ Director of Social Media

CARDINALS FOOTBALL

In addition to her duties with the PSU football and softball programs, Willeford oversaw the graduate assistant athletic trainers for women’s basketball.

University.He

17LAMARCARDINALS.COM | #WEARELU

Dan Darcy Strength & CoordinatorConditioning

In addition to his work with NAU’s varsity sports, Darcy also worked with the ice hockey club team designing and implementing speed, agility, quickness,

Daniel Darcy was named the Lamar University strength and conditioning coordinator in April 2016. Darcy comes to Beaumont after spending six years as an assistant coordinator at Northern Arizona

During the summer of 2010, Darcy did an internship at the University of Texas. He assisted with every aspect of football summer training including speed, agility, quickness training and testing, and worked with 11 future NFL draft selections.Priortohis internship at UT, Darcy spent two seasons in New Britain, Conn., serving as a graduate assistant at Central Connecticut State. While at CCSU, Darcy worked with the football, men’s and women’s soccer, track and field and cross country programs as well as women’s lacrosse and golf.

Darcy began his career as an intern at Canisius College in 2006. Over the next two seasons, he worked with several sports including baseball, basketball, diving, softball, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, synchronized swimming and volley ball.

He graduated with a bachelor’s of science in sports medicine from Canisius College and earned a master’s of science in physical education from Central Connecticut State University.

served as the top assistant on the Mountain Campus, aiding in all facets of the football program which included organization and preparation of day-to-day training, nutrition education and Pro Day training. He helped train 16 All-Ameri cans on the Lumberjack football team.

Willeford has extensive experience in the evaluation and treatment of work related injuries as well as the treatment and rehabilitation of injuries associated with contact and collision sports. She holds additional certifications in graston manual therapy technique and is a certified concussion management specialist.

Adonis Hentz Equipment Manager

3 | Jeremy Davis Senior, Houston,TETexas

10 | Dozie Ifeadi Sophomore, WR Tyler, Texas

4 | Jaymond Jackson Sophomore, DE Lindale, Texas

4 | Cameron George Sophomore, WR Missouri City, Texas

6 | Khalan Griffin Sophomore, RB Tyler, Texas

2 | Damashja Harris Freshman, RB Killeen, Texas

9 | Mike Chandler Freshman, QB Converse, Texas

5 | Jalen Dummett Senior, Oakland,WRCalif.

11 | Canden Grogan Freshman, DB Mont Belvieu, Texas

10 | Jase Williams Freshman, ILB Slidell, La.

8 | Tyrique Carter Sophomore, WR Huntsville, Texas

v 18 2022 LAMAR UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL 2022 LAMAR UNIVERSITY®

6 | DeMarco Roberts Sophomore, DB Aledo, Texas

8 | Caleb Arnold Sophomore, OLB Texarkana, Texas

2 | Vencent Rockwell Sophomore, ILB Dallas, Texas

3 | Ramond Stevens Sophomore, DB New Orleans, La.

7 | Tyler Jackson Junior, DeSoto,LBTexas

5 | Damian Alexander Sophomore, DB New Orleans, La.

7 | Sevonne Rhea Sophomore, WR Houston, Texas

9 | Adrian Owens Sophomore, LB Houston, Texas

11 | Nathan Gaskamp Senior, Midlothian,TE Texas.

21 | Seth Johnson Sophomore, DB Houston, Texas

12 | Jakolby Longino Freshman, QB Missouri City, Texas

15 | Darian White Freshman, LB Waco, Texas

20 | Kristian Pugh Freshman, DB Beaumont, Texas

CARDINALS

13 | Austin Goffney Senior, Cypress,DBTexas

14 | Dwight Davis Freshman, DB Orange, Texas

18 | Daelyn Williams Freshman, QB Houston, Texas

FOOTBALL

23 | Aaron King Freshman, DB Garland, Texas

14 | Andre Dennis Freshman, WR Beaumont, Texas

15 | Jacoby Davis Junior, Houston,TETexas

16 | Kendric Malone Freshman, QB Tatum, Texas

17 | Brayden Faulkner Freshman, LB Waco, Texas

17 | Keshaun Lazard Freshman, Opelousas,WRLa.

19LAMARCARDINALS.COM | #WEARELU

16 | Zyon Clark Freshman, DB Anahuac, Texas

13 | Sharmon Rester Freshman, QB El Dorado, Ark.

18 | Max McAda Freshman, DB Dallas, Texas

19 | Nick Yockey Junior, QB Gig Harbor, Wash.

12 | Antorious Hambric Sophomore, DB Forney, Texas

22 | Jaden Harding Freshman, DB Destrehan, La.

20 | Major Bowden Freshman, RB Waco, Texas

35 | Breylon Charles Sophomore, DE New Orleans, La.

CARDINALS

32 | Chris Esqueda Sophomore, K/P Waco, Texas

33 | Samuel Scaife IV Sophomore, Waxahachie,DBTexas

39 | Colby Sessums Freshman, K/P Haslet, Texas

43 | Beau Dawson Freshman, DS Austin, Texas

37 | Jace Burns Freshman, Gladewater,WRTexas

21LAMARCARDINALS.COM | #WEARELU

25 | Blaise Tita Freshman, LB Houston, Texas

FOOTBALL

41 | Kendal Rowan Freshman, OLB Marrero, La.

36 | Hunter Batten Senior, RB Bryan, Texas 38 | Jamichael Foxall Freshman, RB Beaumont, Texas

31 | Dawson Schremp Freshman, K College Station, Texas

26 | Ryan Harris Freshman, LB Beckville, Texas

29 | Javonta Thomas Freshman, WR Van, Texas

34 | Ian Box Freshman, LB Seguin, Texas

42 | Jacob Ferree Freshman, DE League City, Texas

40 | Jalen Freeman Sophomore, LB Frisco, Texas

44 | Junior Ombati Freshman, RB Princeton, Texas

24 | R.J. Carver Freshman, RB McKinney, Texas

30 | Du’Wayne Paulhill, Jr. Freshman, DB Bryan, Texas

27 | Sir Zollocoffer Freshman, DB Beaumont, Texas

16 Against FBS

46 | Alfonso Deleon Junior, Shreveport,K La.

53 | Braden Courtney Freshman, LB Timpson, Texas

49 | Dekalen Goodson Junior, DE Tyler, Texas

Saturday’s contest between LU and Northern Colorado will be the second meeting between the two schools. The two teams met last season in Greeley with Big Red walking away with a 17-10 overtime victory.

55 | Dawson Exline Freshman, LB China Spring, Texas

51 | Donavan Jordan Freshman, OL Flint, Texas

45 | Greg Hookfin Freshman, OLB Richmond, Texas

54 | Robert Bonar Freshman, LB Houston, Texas

52 | Blake Gotcher Sophomore, ILB Little Elm, Texas

The Storyline on Today’s Game

50 | Luke Wallis Junior, Kirbyville,DSTexas

Despite coming up short against SMU, the Cardinals’ 16 points were the most by Big Red against an FBS opponent since the 2015 season. That year, LU scored 31 points at Baylor.

SMU. Big Red forced three turnovers – two interceptions and one forced fumble – in the second half. Kristian Pugh put his hel met on the ball after an SMU reception to force the fumble and Blake Gotcher and Austin Goffney each recorded an interception. It marks the first time since March 6, 2021 (the 2020 football season that was pushed to the spring semester due to the COVID pandemic) that LU’s defense has recorded two interceptions in a game.

LU vs. the Bears

v 22 2022 LAMAR UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL 2022 LAMAR UNIVERSITY®

The Defense Doesn’t Rest

The Cardinals played some opportunistic defense Saturday at

Special Teams Being Special Transfer kicker Chris Esqueda got his first opportunity to attempt a field goal Saturday and he took full advantage of the moment. The Baylor transfer scored seven points and was a perfect 2-of-2 on field goal opportunities. He converted one of 42 yards, which is the second longest kick among Southland kickers. He was named SLC Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts.

48 | Pius Njenge Freshman, DE Stratford, Texas

Cards Host Northern Colorado in Home Opener

When Lamar University and Northern Colorado step on the field tonight, it will be a battle of two teams looking to accomplish the same thing – notch their first win of the season. For the Cardinals (0-2), the schedule makers were unkind putting Big Red on the road for the first two weeks of the season with games at Abilene Christian and SMU. While the Cardinals have had bright spots in both games, they’ve come up just short on the field. The Car dinals put up a strong fight against SMU Saturday trailing their hosts by just 14 points at halftime but could only manage six points off three second-half SMU turnovers. It is a similar story for UNC after tough losses to Southland Conference foe Houston Baptist (46-34) and taking Wyoming down to the wire before the Cowboys surged late to pull away, 33-10.

14 Dwight Davis DB 5-10 160 Fr.-HS Orange, Texas

70 Preston Yarber OL 6-5 270 Fr.-HS Canton, Texas

13 Sharmon Rester QB 5-10 190 Fr.-HS El Dorado, Ark.

67 Marcus Harbert OL 6-1 255 Fr.-HS Wylie, Texas

73 Jacob Bayer OL 6-4 286 So.-1L Grandview, Texas

83 Bo Baker ATH 5-11 174 Fr.-HS Ravenna, Texas

75 Carter Murray OL 6-3 304 Fr.-RS Lovelady, Texas

63 Tim Carlson OL 6-4 260 Fr.-HS Keller, Texas

2022 Lamar University Football Roster

55 Dawson Exline LB 5-11 200 Fr.-HS China Spring, Texas

7 Tyler Jackson LB 6-0 226 Jr.-2L DeSoto, Texas

18 Daelyn Williams QB 5-10 150 Fr.-RS Houston, Texas

44

16 Zyon Clark DB 6-3 180 Fr.-HS Anahuac, Texas

60 John Hester OL 6-4 287 Fr.-HS Hawkins, Texas

37 Jace Burns WR 6-1 185 Fr.-HS Gladewater, Texas

29 Javonta Thomas WR 5-11 183 Fr.-RS Van, Texas

49 Dekalen Goodson TE 6-2 240 Jr.-TR Tyler, Texas

78 Devon King OL 6-2 350 So.-2L Gilmer, Texas

Jonavon Dennis DL 6-2 210 Fr.-HS Houston, Texas

69 Brayden Clinton OL 6-3 275 Fr.-HS Gilmer, Texas

46 Alfonso Deleon K 5-11 190 Jr.-TR Shreveport, La.

5 Jalen Dummett QB 6-2 208 Sr.-2L Oakland, Calif.

7 Sevonne Rhea WR 5-11 190 So.-TR Houston, Texas

41

30 Du’Wayne Paulhill, Jr. DB 6-1 197 Fr.-HS Bryan, Texas

26 Ryan Harris LB 6-3 200 Fr.-HS Beckville, Texas

35 Breylon Charles DE 6-5 240 So.-1L New Orleans, La.

5 Damian Alexander DB 6-0 156 So.-1L New Orleans, La.

42

82 Jayden Boyd WR 6-2 185 Fr.-HS Tatum, Texas

40

11 Nathan Gaskamp TE 6-1 237 Sr.-2L Midlothian, Texas

27 Sir Zollocoffer DB 5-9 170 Fr.-HS Beaumont, Texas

Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl.-Exp. Hometown

16 Kendric Malone QB 5-11 180 Fr.-HS Tatum, Texas

4 Jaymond Jackson DE 6-3 241 So.-1L Lindale, Texas

15 Darion White LB 6-1 202 Fr.-HS Waco, Texas

38 Jamichael Foxall RB 5-7 180 Fr.-HS Beaumont, Texas Colby Sessums K/P 6-1 183 Fr.-RS Haslet, Texas Jalen Freeman ILB 6-1 240 So.-1L Frisco, Texas Kendal Rowan OLB 6-2 207 Fr.-1L Marrero, La. Jacob Ferree DE 6-2 227 Fr.-HS League City, Texas Beau Dawson DS 6-0 215 Fr.-HS Austin, Texas Junior Ombati RB 5-8 165 Fr.-HS Princeton, Texas

9 Mike Chandler QB 6-0 190 So.-2L Converse, Texas

10 Dozie Ifeadi WR 6-1 196 So.-1L Tyler, Texas

64 Sabastian Carter OL 6-4 255 Fr.-HS Teague, Texas

77 Reginald Burks OL 6-2 290 Fr.-HS Lake Charles, La.

2 Vencent Rockwell ILB 6-2 217 So.-2L Dallas, Texas

71 Jevale Roberson OL 6-2 298 Fr.-RS Cleveland, Texas

86 David Jefferson WR 5-10 165 Fr.-RS Pearland, Texas 87 Kameron Ladia TE 6-3 218 Fr.-RS Port Arthur, Texas 88 Jayden Slater TE 6-5 195 Fr.-HS Keller, Texas 89 Izaha Jones WR 6-2 175 Fr.-HS Normangee, Texas

3 Jeremy Davis TE 6-5 253 Sr.-2L Houston, Texas

8 Caleb Arnold OLB 6-1 196 So.-1L Texarkana, Texas

34 Ian Box LB 6-2 235 Fr.-HS Seguin, Texas

13 Austin Goffney DB 6-0 203 Sr.-1L Cypress, Texas

53 Braden Courtney LB 5-11 195 Fr.-HS Timpson, Texas

4 Cameron George WR 5-10 209 So.-1L Missouri City, Texas

CARDINALS FOOTBALL

2 Damashja Harris RB 6-2 198 Fr.-RS Killeen, Texas

10 Jase Williams ILB 6-2 227 Fr.-RS Slidell, La.

Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl.-Exp. Hometown

51 Donavan Jordan OL 6-3 290 Fr.-HS Flint, Texas

43

65 Jacob Dicharry OL 6-5 256 So.-1L Dallas, Texas

45 Greg Hoofkin OLB 6-1 232 Fr.-RS Richmond, Texas

19 Nick Yockey QB 6-2 205 Jr.-TR Gig Harbor, Wash.

79 Reggie Brooks DL 6-3 309 Fr.-RS Wylie, Texas

74 B.J. Williams OL 6-3 291 So.-SQ DeRidder, La.

36 Hunter Batten RB 5-9 232 Sr.-1L Bryan, Texas

48 Pius Njenge DE 6-4 250 Fr.-TR Stratford, Texas

11 Canden Grogan DB 6-3 158 Fr.-RS Mont Belvieu, Texas

17 Brayden Faulkner LB 6-0 208 Fr.-HS Waco, Texas

52 Blake Gotcher ILB 6-1 227 So.-1L Little Elm, Texas

23 Aaron King DB 5-10 170 Fr.-HS Garland, Texas

15 Jacoby Davis TE 6-4 212 Jr.-2L Houston, Texas

72 Marcques Mayo OL 6-3 259 Fr.-RS Opelousas, La.

18 Max McAda DB 5-10 160 Fr.-HS Dallas, Texas

76 Drew Moss OL 6-4 280 So.-1L Richardson, Texas

6 Khalan Griffin RB 5-10 215 So.-TR Tyler, Texas

31 Dawson Schremp K 5-9 160 Fr.-HS College Station, Texas

50 Luke Wallis DS 6-0 219 Jr.-3L Kirbyville, Texas

57

21 Seth Johnson DB 5-10 170 So.-SQ Houston, Texas

12 Jakolby Longino QB 6-3 195 Fr.-TR Missouri City, Texas

20 Kristian Pugh DB 5-11 160 Fr.-HS Beaumont, Texas

39

62 Devin Fregia OL 6-3 253 Fr.-RS Liberty, Texas

80 Kyndon Fuselier WR 5-10 165 Fr.-HS Nederland, Texas

33 Samuel Scaife IV DB 6-1 205 So.-TR Waxahachie, Texas

3 Ramond Stevens DB 5-10 158 So.-1L New Orleans, La.

23LAMARCARDINALS.COM | #WEARELU

14 Andre Dennis WR 6-1 185 Fr.-HS Beaumont, Texas

68 Eithan Wallace OL 6-1 255 Fr.-HS Tyler, Texas

84 Sterling Herrington TE 6-2 219 So.-2L Silsbee, Texas

81 Devyn Gibbs TE 6-4 217 Fr.-1L Mabank, Texas

54 Robert Bonar LB 6-1 206 Fr.-TR Houston, Texas)

22 Jaden Harding DB 5-10 167 Fr.-RS Destrehan, La.

61 Kade Verden OL 6-1 280 Fr.-HS Bullard, Texas

90 Jayden Madkins DL 6-1 297 Fr.-HS Pearland, Texas 91 Jalen Smith DL 6-6 235 Fr.-HS Moreauville, La. 92 Colin Hedges DL 6-0 215 Fr.-HS Houston, Texas 93 Emmanuel Oguns DL 6-5 240 Fr.-HS Houston, Texas 94 Jack McCarthy DL 6-4 265 So.-2L Houston, Texas 96 Ayden Bell DL 6-3 261 So.-1L Silsbee, Texas 97 Byron Mathis DL 6-0 305 Fr.-RS Raceland, La. 98 Chidera Umeh DL 6-4 281 So.-1L Richmond, Texas 99 Caleb Williams DL 5-11 300 So.-1L Houston, Texas

12 Antorius Hambric Jr. DB 5-11 183 So.-1L Forney, Texas

20 Major Bowden RB 5-9 180 Fr.-HS Waco, Texas

9 Adrian Owens LB 6-2 208 So.-1L Houston, Texas

24 RJ Carver RB 5-10 216 Fr.-RS McKinney, Texas

6 DeMarco Roberts DB 5-8 170 So.-1L Aledo, Texas

8 Tyrique Carter WR 5-10 171 So.-2L Huntsville, Texas

17 Keshaun Lazard WR 6-0 180 Fr.-RS Opelousas, La.

66 Ja’Darrius Winans OL 6-3 320 So.-2L Minden, La.

25 Blaise Tita LB 6-1 210 Fr.-HS Houston, Texas

32 Chris Esqueda K/P 5-8 185 So.-TR Waco, Texas

55 Glenn Bernard Jr. OL Sr. 6-3 290 Laplace, La.

50 Will Knutsson OL R-Jr. 6-2 300 Fredericksburg, Va.

85 Kurt Gallup TE R-So. 6-4 245 Parker, Colo.

45

8 Tizell Lewis DB Jr. 6-1 175 Aurora, Colo.

10 Shea Kuykendall QB Fr. 6-1 205 San Pedro, Calif.

6 Keyvon Lakes LB So. 6-2 235 Las Vegas, Nev.

11 Elias Rantissi LB Jr. 6-3 230 Rohnert Park, Calif

56 Jacob Stanton LB R-Jr. 6-1 235 Thornton, Colo.

87 Mitchell Lewis TE R-Fr. 6-3 220 Pagosa Springs, Colo.

96 Micah Nanninga DL R-Fr. 6-7 250 Castle Rock, Colo.

11 Noah Ford WR R-Fr. 6-1 180 McKinney, Texas

13 Trevis Graham WR Gr. 6-1 191 Arlington, Texas

69 Christian Delacruz OL Jr. 6-4 304 Spring Valley, Calif.

22 Zain Zinicola WR R-Fr. 5-10 192 Highlands Ranch, Colo.

19 Blake Haggerty WR Fr. 6-0 188 Castle Rock, Colo.

14 Jordan Hornbeak RB R-Fr. 5-11 209 Chowchilla, Calif.

26 Lamereon Curry DB Fr. 6-2 175 Choctaw, Okla.

75 Wyatt Blake OL Gr. 6-4 310 Crystal Lake, Ill.

15 Ty Arrington WR R-So. 5-11 180 Highland, Utah

34 David Hoage LB Jr. 6-3 245 Denver, Colo.

2 Jordan Knapke DB So. 6-3 210 Aurora, Colo.

16 Alec Lewis QB R-So. 6-0 221 Broomfield, Colo.

94 Henry Garrison DL Gr. 6-6 272 Palisades, NY

9 Kassidy Woods WR Jr. 6-4 215 Addison, Texas

27 Ladavion Osborn DB Fr. 6-2 175 Tyler, Texas

88 Devin Bale K/P So. 6-3 206 La Jolla, Calif.

89 Charles Garrison TE Jr. 6-5 245 Palisades, NY

18 Aliou-Rocco Traore DB Fr. 5-11 190 Lynwood, Wash.

Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl.-Exp. Hometown

17 Caleb Theisen RB Fr. 6-0 193 Erie, Colo.

35 David Irwin FB R-So. 5-10 215 South San Francisco, Calif.

59 Ryan Capasso DL R-So. 6-4 260 Broomfield, Colo.

4 Kylen Woods WR Fr. 5-11 175 Carrolton, Texas

27 Caden Meis RB Jr. 5-11 216 Parker, Colo.

29 Alfred Smith DB Fr. 5-9 160 Laveen, Ariz.

5 Cameron Murray DB Gr. 6-1 180 Aurora, Colo.

7 Elijah Wade LB R-Fr. 6-3 245 Las Vegas, Nev.

15 Marcus Howard LB Fr. 6-5 228 Denver, Colo.

46 Christian Wyatt FB R-Fr. 6-2 216 Highlands Ranch, Colo.

0 Darius Stewart RB R-Fr. 5-9 190 Las Vegas, Nev.

21 Tywonne Harris DB Jr. 5-10 180 Baton Rouge, La.

57 Frank Thompson OL R-Fr. 6-3 305 Peoria. Ariz.

78 Austin Lawrence OL R-Fr. 6-5 276 Puyallup, Wash.

2 Zach Rush TE R-So. 6-4 215 Grand Junction, Colo.

4 Dustin Johnson DB R-So. 6-1 194 Denver, Colo.

33 Brooks Talkington DL R-Sr. 6-4 265 Flower Mound, Texas

82 Max Pierce TE Sr. 6-2 246 Gilroy, Calif.

86 Fisher Clements TE Fr. 6-7 235 Meridian, Idaho

1 RJ Potts LB Sr. 6-2 240 Fishers, Ind.

2022 Northern Colorado Football Roster

8 Brandon Belgrave RB So. 6-0 190 Panama City, Panama

19 Nick Ciccio DB Sr. 6-0 195 Castle Pines, Colo.

30 Jasiah Snow-Marshall DB R-Fr. 6-1 210 Tacoma, Wash.

65 James Betschart OL R-Fr. 6-7 300 Parker, Colo.

90 Solomon Wacays DL So. 6-1 270 Denver, Colo.

95 Kanaan Turnbull DL Jr. 6-4 230 Loveland, Colo.

97 Nick Lyon DL R-Fr. 6-5 315 Lone Tree, Colo.

5 Elijah Dotson RB Gr. 6-0 200 Sacramento, Calif.

1 David Afari RB So. 5-11 200 West Chester, Ohio

7 Kyle Helbig TE So. 6-3 250 Broomfield, Colo.

3 Vincent King LB So. 6-0 236 Denver, Colo.

23 Uryan Hudson DB Gr. 5-9 170 Manvel, Texas

31 Franky Morales DB Fr. 5-10 160 Chandler, Ariz.

36 Payton Polson LB So. 6-0 215 Highlands Ranch, Colo.

47 Tofa Wilson LB R-Fr. 6-1 228 Las Vegas, Nev.

51 Wilson Clark OL R-Fr. 6-5 305 Arvada, Colo.

37 Hunter Green K Fr. 6-4 187 Redmond, Wash.

54 Kaleb Konigus OL R-Jr. 6-2 300 Lehman, Pa.

66 Krikour Koustanian OL Jr. 6-3 300 Aleppo, Syria

68 Brady Odom OL Gr. 6-2 280 Reno, Nev.

21 Alec Pell TE R-So. 6-4 235 Englewood, Colo.

72 Ethan Kramer OL So. 6-5 295 Colorado Springs, Colo.

80 Joseph Lankford TE Fr. 6-3 220 Waxahachie, Texas

42 Jaiden Letua LB Fr. 6-2 245 Oceanside, Calif. 44 Noah Mangham DB Fr. 5-11 182 Frisco, Texas Tama Tuitele LB So. 6-0 245 Aurora, Colo.

92 Nick Norris DL So. 6-4 262 Fort Morgan, Colo.

98 Joe Brown DL R-Fr. 6-2 330 Flint, Mich.

3 Jacob Sirmon QB Jr. 6-5 230 Bothell, Wash.

12 Dylan McCaffrey QB Gr. 6-5 220 Castle Rock, Colo.

6 Xavier Brown WR Fr. 6-2 180 Cedar Hill, Texas

24 Makhi Johnson DB R-Fr. 6-0 193 San Antonio, Texas

28 Bryce Vaz RB Fr. 5-9 180 Parker, Colo.

v 24 2022 LAMAR UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL 2022 LAMAR UNIVERSITY®

25 Jacquez Robertson RB So. 5-9 185 Mission Viejo, Calif.

32 Jordan Davis LB Fr. 6-0 210 Aurora, Colo.

55 Austin Williams DL Jr. 6-5 345 Tifton, Ga.

74 Jackson Hoops OL R-So. 6-5 315 Parker, Colo.

52 Salem Wahab LS Fr. 6-1 254 Fontana, Calif.

77 Karson Oliver OL R-Fr. 6-6 315 Tulare, Calif.

62 Lamar Goods DL R-So. 6-2 332 Fort McMurray, Fla.

22 Dylan Emery DB So. 6-1 195 The Colony, Texas

81 Christian Arrington WR Fr. 5-11 180 Highland, Utah

73 Aidan Moe OL Fr. 6-8 304 Parker, Colo.

93 Tava Finau DL Jr. 6-3 275 Sacramento, Calif.

12 Keenan Guthrie LB R-Fr. 6-3 226 San Diego, Calif.

16 Ezra Ekuban LB Fr. 6-2 222 Parker, Colo.

13 Jaylen Byrd DB R-Fr. 6-3 190 Denver, Colo.

61 Isaias Sierra OL Jr. 6-2 291 San Francisco, Calif.

0 Tremell Harrell DB Jr. 5-10 182 Baton Rouge, La.

PR 23 URYAN HUDSON 5-9 170 SR. David Afari 5-11 200 So.

QB 9 MIKE CHANDLER 6-0 190 So.

43 Beau Dawson 6-0 215 Fr.

Bandit 40 JALEN FREEMAN 6-1 240 So.

KR 2 DAMASHJA HARRIS 6-2 198 Fr.

UNC Depth Chart

Defense

71 Jevale Roberson 6-2 298 So.

CB 23 URYAN HUDSON 5-9 170 SR. 8 Tizell Lewis 6-1 175 Jr.

RG 66 KRIKOUR KOUSTANIAN 6-4 300 JR. 61 Isaias Sierra 6-2 291 Jr.

1

ILB 45 TAMA TUITELE 6-0 245 SO. 11 Elias Rantissi 6-3 230 Jr.

10 Dozie Ifeadi 6-1 196 So.

Offense

37

OLB 1 R.J. POTTS 6-2 240 SR. 10 Elijah Anderson-Taylor 6-0 235 So.

WR 7 SEVONNE RHEA 5-11 190 So.

WR 9 KASSIDY WOODS 6-4 215 JR. 11 Noah Ford 6-1 180 Fr.

DE 33 BROOKS TALKINGTON 6-4 265 SR. 57 Ryan Capasso 6-4 260 So

LT 75 WYATT BLAKE 6-4 310 SR. 73 Aidan Moe 6-8 304 Fr.

TE 3 JEREMY DAVIS 6-5 253 Sr.

LT 65 JACOB DICHARRY 6-5 256 So.

RG 74 B.J. WILLIAMS 6-3 291 So.

NT 96 AYDEN BELL 6-3 261 So.

WILL 52 BLAKE GOTCHER 6-1 227 So.

17 Brayden Faulkner 6-0 208 Fr.

OLB 3 VINCENT KING 6-0 236 SO. 47 Tofa Wilson 6-1 228 Fr.

SPUR 9 ADRIAN OWENS 6-2 208 So.

Defense

8 Caleb Arnold 6-1 196 So.

QB 12 DYLAN MCCAFFREY 6-5 220 SR. 3 Jacob Sirmon 6-5 230 Jr.

2 Vencent Rockwell 6-2 217 So.

45

C 73 JACOB BAYER 6-4 286 So.

SS 20 KHRISTIAN PUGH 5-11 160 Fr.

12 Antorius Hambric, Jr. 5-11 183 So.

23 Aaron King 5-10 170 Fr.

BCB 6 DEMARCO ROBERTS 5-8 170 So.

K 32 CHRIS ESQUEDA 5-8 185 So.

39 Colby Sessums 6-1 183 Fr.

CARDINALS FOOTBALL

WR 22 ZAIN ZINICOLA 5-10 192 FR. 19 Blake Haggerty 6-0 188 Fr.

25LAMARCARDINALS.COM | #WEARELU

39 Colby Sessums 6-1 183 Fr.

1

K 37 HUNTER GREEN 6-4 187 FR. 88 Devin Bale 6-3 206 So. 88 DEVIN BALE 6-3 206 SO. Hunter Green 6-4 187 Fr. 52 SALEM WAHAB 6-1 254 FR. Tama Tuitele 6-0 245 So. 88 DEVIN BALE 6-3 206 SO. Alec Lewis 6-0 221 So.

DE 4 JAYMOND JACKSON 6-3 241 So.

P 46 ALFONSO DELEON 5-11 190 Jr.

20 Major Bowden 5-9 180 Fr.

80 Kyndon Fuselier 5-10 165 Fr.

Special Teams

45 Greg Hookfin 6-1 232 Fr.

DT 94 JACK MCCARTHY 6-4 265 So.

39 Colby Sessums 6-1 183 Fr.

MIKE 7 TYLER JACKSON 6-0 226 Jr.

P

DS 50 LUKE WALLIS 6-0 219 Jr.

ILB 7 ELIJAH WADE 6-3 245 FR. 56 Jacob Stanton 6-1 235 Jr.

15 Jacoby Davis 6-4 212 Jr.

80 Kyndon Fuselier 5-10 165 Fr.

FS 13 AUSTIN GOFFNEY 6-0 203 Sr.

FS 2 JORDAN KNAPKE 6-3 210 SO. 22 Dylan Emery 6-1 190 Fr.

79 Reggie Brooks 6-3 309 Fr.

LG 78 DEVON KING 6-2 350 So.

DE 92 NICK NORRIS 6-4 262 SO. 94 Henry Garrison 6-6 272 Sr.

DS

72 Marcques Mayo 6-3 259 Fr.

8 Tyrique Carter 5-10 170 So.

RB 6 KHALAN GRIFFIN 5-10 215 So.

19 Nick Yockey 6-2 205 Jr.

Special Teams

PK 32 CHRIS ESQUEDA 5-8 185 So.

86 David Jefferson 5-10 165 Fr.

LU Depth Chart

LG 68 BRADY ODOM 6-2 280 SR. 54 Kaleb Konigus 6-2 300 Jr.

H 20 MAJOR BOWDEN 5-9 180 Fr.

PR 7 SEVONNE RHEA 5-11 190 So.

RT 74 JACKSON HOOPS 6-5 315 SO.

21 Seth Johnson 5-10 170 So.

51 Donovan Jordan 6-3 290 Fr.

RT 76 DREW MOSS 6-4 280 So.

C 55 GLENN BERNARD JR. 6-3 290 JR. 58 Will Knutsson 6-2 300 Jr.

TE 21 ALEC PELL 6-4 235 SO.

98 Chidera Umeh 6-4 281 So.

RB 5 ELIJAH DOTSON 6-0 200 SR. 1 David Afari 5-11 200 So.

77 Karson Oliver 6-6 315 Fr.

SS 19 NICK CICCIO 6-0 195 SR. 4 Dustin Johnson 6-1 194 So.

H

FCB 3 RAMOND STEVENS 5-10 158 So.

36 Hunter Batten 5-9 232 Sr.

16

99 Caleb Williams 5-11 300 So.

7 Kyle Helbig 6-3 250 So.

WR 13 TREVIS GRAHAM 6-1 191 SR. 15 Ty Arrington 5-11 180 So.

Offense

KR 5 ELIJAH DOTSON 6-0 200 SR. David Afari 5-11 200 So.

62 Devin Fregia 6-3 253 Fr.

WR 17 KESHAUN LAZARD 6-0 180 Fr.

35 Breylon Charles 6-5 240 So.

NG 98 JOE BROWN 6-2 330 FR. 97 Nick Lyon 6-5 315 Fr.

22 Jaden Harding 5-10 167 Fr.

WR 5 JALEN DUMMETT 6-2 208 Sr.

CB 5 CAMERON MURRAY 6-1 180 SR. 0 Tremell Harrell 5-10 182 Jr.

77 | Reginald Burks Freshman, OL Lake Charles, La.

61 | Kade Verden Freshman, OL Bullard, Texas

74 | B.J. Williams Sophomore, OL DeRidder, La.

v 26 2022 LAMAR UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL 2022 LAMAR UNIVERSITY®

71 | Jevale Roberson Sophomore, OL Cleveland, Texas

73 | Jacob Bayer Sophomore, OL Grandview, Texas 62 | Devin Fregia Freshman, OL Liberty, Texas

60 | John Hester Freshman, OL Hawkins, Texas

66 | Ja’Darrius Winans Sophomore, OL Minden, La

76 | Drew Moss Sophomore, OL Richardson, Texas

75 | Carter Murray Freshman, OL Lovelady, Texas

68 | Eithan Wallace Freshman, OL Tyler, Texas

57 | Jonavon Dennis Freshman, DL Houston, Texas

70 | Preston Yarber Freshman, OL Canton, Texas

72 | Marcques Mayo Freshman, Opelousas,OLLa.

63 | Tim Carlson Freshman, OL Keller, Texas

69 | Brayden Clinton Freshman, OL Gilmer, Texas

78 | Devon King Sophomore, OL Gilmer, Texas

67 | Marcus Harbert Freshman, OL Wylie, Texas

64 | Sabastian Carter Freshman, OL Teague, Texas

65 | Jacob Dicharry Sophomore, OL Dallas, Texas

99 | Caleb Williams Sophomore, DL Houston, Texas

80 | Kyndon Fuselier Freshman, WR Port Neches, Texas

86 | David Jefferson Freshman, WR Pearland, Texas

81 | Devyn Gibbs Freshman, TE Mabank, Texas

96 | Ayden Bell Sophomore, DL Silsbee, Texas

89 | Izaha Jones Freshman, Normangee,WRTexas

84 | Sterling Herrington Sophomore, TE Silsbee, Texas

27LAMARCARDINALS.COM | #WEARELU

94 | Jack McCarthy Sophomore, DL Houston, Texas

97 | Byron Mathis Freshman, DL Raceland, La.

87 | Kameron Ladia Freshman, TE Port Arthur, Texas

90 | Jayden Madkins Freshman, DL Pearland, Texas

91 | Jalen Smith Freshman, Moreauville,DLLa.

88 | Jayden Slater Freshman, TE Keller, Texas

92 | Colin Hedges Freshman, DL Houston, Texas

79 | Reggie Brooks Freshman, DL Wylie, Texas

98 | Chidera Umeh Sophomore, DL Richmond, Texas

FOOTBALL

83 | Bo Baker Freshman, WR Ravenna, Texas

93 | Emmanuel Oguns Freshman, DL Houston, Texas

CARDINALS

82 | Jayden Boyd Freshman, WR Tatum, Texas

Alumniinteresting.are

29LAMARCARDINALS.COM | #WEARELU

a very important part of the Lamar University community and are valuable ambassadors for LU.

Lamar University alumni are a busy group when it comes to staying in touch with one another and supporting their school and its athletic teams.

Active alumni actually make their degrees more vaulable because they give the university greater visibility. More people are able to see that Lamar University is an outstanding school that produces exceptional graduates, who involve themselves in their community and remain connected with their alma mater.

CARDINALS FOOTBALL

Alumni support makes vital interactive programs possible. Students are eager to communicate with graduates who are out there pursuing their dreams and making them happen. Lamar University needs alumni involvement in whichever way they choose and giving back helps enrich life for both students and alumni.

Lamar University alumni are a busy group when it comes to staying in touch with one another and supporting their school and its athletic teams.

Likewise, the Office of Alumni Affairs stays busy keeping things

a very important part of the Lamar University community and are valuable ambassadors for LU.

Likewise, the Office of Alumni Affairs stays busy keeping things

Alumniinteresting.are

• Attending a sporting event to support student-athletes.

• Telling your story to a potential student.

• Receive Cardinal Cadence Magazine.

• Serve on select councils or committees.

v 30 2022 LAMAR UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL

• Invitations to exclusive alumni and university events.

• Fly the LU flag at your home or business.

• Receive a window decal and donor card.

2022 LAMAR UNIVERSITY®

• Travel along on a Cardinal adventure.

• Privileges to use the Mary and John Gray Library.

• Network - transform an alumni contact into a business contact.

Active alumni actually make their degrees more vaulable because they give the university greater visibility. More people are able to see that Lamar University is an outstanding school that produces exceptional graduates, who involve themselves in their community and remain connected with their alma mater.

• Receive discounts at local and national merchants.

• Take your seat - what is a performance without an audience?

• Start a scholarship.

Alumni support makes vital interactive programs possible. Students are eager to communicate with graduates who are out there pursuing their dreams and making them happen. Lamar University needs alumni involvement in whichever way they choose and giving back helps enrich life for both students and alumni. Here are some ways alumni can support the university:

• Mentor a student in your field or offer an internship at your business.

• Interact in person with students by hosting an evening reception or dinner.

Lamar University offers additional benefits for annual donors to Alumni Affairs which include:

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