Lamar Seeks First Ever Playoff Victory at ACU

This fall has been one to remember for the Lamar Cardinals and, on Saturday, what has already been a landmark season for the program could turn into a historic one. Making just their second-ever postseason appearance, the Cardinals could be in line for their first playoff win when they square off with UAC champion Abilene Christian this weekend. As Pete Rossomando’s group prepares for its seven-hour trek North, they know that the crowning jewel of their impressive 2025 campaign might be waiting inside the walls of Wildcat Stadium.

Lamar will take its swarming defense on the road look to again ride it to victory like it did eight times this year. Going up against an Abilene Christian offense led by Stone Earle won’t be easy but guys like Ronnie Hamrick and Andrew Huff will make the task a little easier. Hamrick and Huff have both been instrumental to the Cardinals’ defensive success this year, accounting for a combined 23.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. That duo has been giving offensive coordinators nightmares this season and will probably need to have their biggest games yet this weekend.

ACU’s offense is no joke and is capable of putting up some big time numbers. They’ve put up at least 40 points three times this year including a 49-point onslaught last week against Central Arkansas in the regular season finale. Earle himself has thrown for multiple touchdowns on five different occasions this season and has not thrown an interception since November 1. Star receiver Javon Gipson is riding into the postseason with two consecutive 100-games under his belt and running back Rovaughn Banks Jr. is averaging 4.9 yards per carry. The Lamar defense will certainly have its hands full.

The good news for the Cardinals is that their own offense has dudes that should be able to allow them to hang around if they play at their best. Quarterback Aiden McCown and running back Xavier Coleman have been playmakers for the Cards all year. McCown is completing passes at nearly a 60% clip and Coleman went over 500 yards on the year in last week’s game against McNeese. Just like with the defense, though, Lamar’s offensive standouts will need to rise to the occasion and be at their very best against the Abilene Christian defense.

That defense features one of the FCS’s best linebackers in Rashon Myles Jr. The redshirt junior has authored 103 stops this year (49 solo) and has forced five fumbles on his own. He flies to the ball as good as anyone out there and is a game wrecker if he gets the space to be. Likewise, safety Dorian Plumley is also extremely dangerous with five picks and five PBUs this year. McCown will need to be extra careful of these two or they’ll flip the game on him in a hurry.

No matter how it’s cut, the Cardinals will have their work cut out for them on Saturday but that is the privilege that comes with playing in the playoffs. They’ll likely need a nearly flawless performance to knock off the 10-seeded Wildcats in their building but the stage is set for what could be a historic afternoon. This Lamar team is capable of pulling it off and, if they do, it will be one they’ll remember for a long, long time in Beaumont. Plus, if it happens, the Cardinals will get a second shot their Southland foes Stephen F. Austin in the second round in a game that would be one of the biggest in program history.

Lamar and Abilene Christian will kick off at 1:00 PM (ET) on Saturday and can be watched on ESPN+.