Lamar sets challenging 2016 schedule

Feb 17, 2016 - 9:26 PM (STATS) - The FCS' leading rusher will face a rugged start to the 2016 season.

But so will Lamar's opponents when they face Kade Harrington.

Lamar announced its 11-game schedule on Wednesday, including six matchups at Provost Umphrey Stadium.

The Cardinals offense will again be led by Harrington, who as a junior set the Southland Conference record with an FCS-high 2,092 rushing yards. He was the runner-up for the STATS FCS Offensive Player of the Year.

September is stacked for coach Ray Woodard's squad. The Cardinals will open the season hosting FBS-bound program Coastal Carolina on Sept. 3, travel to a Houston program coming off a Peach Bowl win Sept. 10 and then host Southland Conference power Sam Houston State on Sept. 17.

Those three teams combined to win 33 games last season.

"Obviously, when you play a nine-game league schedule, and play in a conference as tough as the Southland, you are playing a very demanding schedule every year," Woodard said. "When you add to that a season opener against a great team like Coastal Carolina who was one of the toughest in the nation last season, along with a road date at Houston, this is a schedule that will challenge us early and often."

Lamar, which finished 5-6 last season, also will host Southland opponents Southeastern Louisiana (Oct. 1), Northwestern State (Oct. 15), Houston Baptist (Oct. 29, Homecoming) and Incarnate Word (Nov. 12). The Cardinals' road conference games are against Abilene Christian (Oct. 8), Central Arkansas (Oct. 22), Nicholls (Nov. 5) and defending champ McNeese State (Nov. 19).

2016 Lamar Football Schedule

Sept. 3, Coastal Carolina

Sept. 10, at Houston

Sept. 17, Sam Houston State*

Oct. 1, Southeastern Louisiana*

Oct. 8, at Abilene Christian*

Oct. 15, Northwestern State*

Oct. 22, at Central Arkansas*

Oct. 29, Houston Baptist* (Homecoming)

Nov. 5, at Nicholls*

Nov. 12, Incarnate Word*

Nov. 19, at McNeese State*

* - Southland Conference game