# 2016 Lamar Cardinals football team

The 2016 Lamar Cardinals football team represented Lamar University in the 2016 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Cardinals were led by seventh-year head coach Ray Woodard and played their home games at Provost Umphrey Stadium. They were a member of the Southland Conference. They finished the season 3–8, 3–6 in Southland play to finish in a tie for eighth place.

## TV and radio media

All Lamar games were broadcast on KLVI, also known as News Talk 560.
Live video of all home games (except those broadcast via the American Sports Network) was streamed on ESPN3.

## Before the season
### Changes in the coaching staff

* Trey Haverty - Trey Haverty was named defensive coordinator on January 26, 2016. He replaces Craig McGallion, who announced his retirement in November, 2015. Haverty has ten years of collegiate coaching experience including positions at TCU and Texas Tech.
* John Blake - Former Oklahoma head coach, John Blake, joined the Cardinals coaching staff in February, 2016. He was responsible for the defensive line. After one month at Lamar and during the Cardinals' spring camp, John Blake accepted the defensive line coach position with the Buffalo Bills following the Bill's firing of Karl Dunbar. Blake had also held positions with the Dallas Cowboys, North Carolina, Nebraska, Mississippi State, and Tulsa.
* Willie Mack Garza - Willie Mack Garza also joined the Cardinals staff in January. He will be working with the secondary. Garza has also had seventeen years of experience at the collegiate level including stops at USC, Tennessee, TCU, Western Michigan, and North Dakota State.
* Eric Roark - Eric Roark was named defensive line coach on April 19, 2016. Roark fills the position vacated by John Blake's move to the Buffalo Bills staff. Roark coached at Division I programs UTSA, SMU, Middle Tennessee State, Tennessee Tech, and Murray State.

### Spring camp and 6th annual Crawfish Bowl

The Cardinals participated in Spring camp from March 7 ending with the 6th annual Crawfish Bowl Spring game on April 16. Camp included workouts three days each week with a break from March 14–18 for Spring Break. The offense defeated the defense 25-23 in the Crawfish Bowl Spring game.

### Roster changes

2015 1st team All-Southland Conference member, Larance Hale, was dismissed from the team on March 29, 2016 for a violation of team rules.

### Honors and recognition
#### Pre-season FCS All-America team

* Athlon Sports 2016 FCS All-America team - Kade Harrington was named to the pre-season Athlon Sports 2016 FCS All-America team.
* STATS 2016 FCS All-America team - Kade Harrington was named to the 1st team pre-season STATS 2016 FCS All-America team. Bret Treadway was named to the STATS FCS pre-season 3rd team.
* College Sports Madness 2016 FCS All-America team - Kade Harrington was named to the 1st team pre-season College Sports Madness 2016 FCS All-America team. Bret Treadway was named to the College Sports Madness FCS pre-season 3rd team.

#### Pre-season Southland Conference team

Four Cardinals were named to pre-season Southland Conference teams. Kade Harrington, Bret Treadway, and Rodney Randle were named as 1st teamers. Brendan Langley was named to the 2nd team.

## 2016 recruiting

The Cardinals signed 28 players including 22 high school recruits and six transfers from other colleges. Three of the transfers were from NCAA Division I (FBS) programs. Four of the recruits were already enrolled for the spring, 2016 semester while 24 signed letters of intent on National Signing Day.

### Early enrollees

Four recruits transferring from other programs enrolled for Spring, 2016 semester courses at Lamar. The four players are Jalen Barnes from Texas Tech, Kanon Mackey from Texas State, Marcus Daggs from Cisco College, and Clayton Turner from Miami (FL). The list includes ratings when originally recruited from high school.
US college sports recruiting information for Early recruits :
| Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | Commit date |
| Jalen Barnes DB | Port Arthur, TX | Texas Tech | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | Enrolled |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Kanon Mackey OL | Silsbee, TX | Texas State | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 320 lb (150 kg) | Enrolled |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: |||||||
| Marcus Daggs WR | Ennis, TX | Cisco College | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | Dec 7, 2015 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: |||||||
| Clayton Turner QB | Marietta, GA | Miami (FL) | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | Enrolled |
| Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A |||||||
| Overall recruiting rankings: |||||||
| Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: |||||||
Source:

### 2016 National Signing Day

Lamar signed 24 players on national letter of intent day. Recruits are listed in the "2016 Recruits" table below. Player profiles for each recruit are available at the signing day link below. The 2016 signing day recruits included 22 players from high school and 2 transfers.
US college sports recruiting information for 2016 recruits :
| Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | Commit date |
| Caleb Abrom DB | DeSoto, TX | DeSoto HS | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | Dec 17, 2015 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: |||||||
| Jaylon Bowden DB | Port Arthur, TX | Blinn College | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | Jan 7, 2016 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: |||||||
| David Crosley LB | DeRidder, LA | DeRidder HS | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 237 lb (108 kg) | Sep 9, 2015 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: |||||||
| Jarett Carpenter LB | Fairfield, TX | Fairfield HS | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | Jul 28, 2015 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: |||||||
| Shyler Staton DB | Missouri City, TX | Ridge Point HS | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 160 lb (73 kg) | Jul 28, 2015 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: |||||||
| Daniel Crosley DT | DeRidder, LA | DeRidder HS | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 235 lb (107 kg) | Sep 9, 2015 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: |||||||
| Demontrai Lewis DE | Lufkin, TX | Kilgore College | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 252 lb (114 kg) | Jan 24, 2016 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: |||||||
| Kendrick King ATH | Hamshire, TX | Hamshire-Fannett HS | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | Nov 4, 2015 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: |||||||
| Cameron Minger LB | Dallas, TX | Woodrow Wilson HS | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 198 lb (90 kg) | Jan 16, 2016 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: |||||||
| Shane Hudson WR | Crosby, TX | Crosby HS | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | Sep 23, 2015 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: |||||||
| Chase Bridgeman OL | Crosby, TX | Crosby HS | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 275 lb (125 kg) | Sep 10, 2015 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: |||||||
| Trevon Simpson OL | Fairfield, TX | Fairfield HS | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 275 lb (125 kg) | Jun 3, 2015 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A |||||||
| Adam Morse QB | Port Neches, TX | Port Neches HS | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | Jul 27, 2015 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A |||||||
| Markell Hawthorne RB | Lake Charles, LA | La Grange HS | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | Aug 4, 2015 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A |||||||
| Mason Sikes TE | Lumberton, TX | Lumberton HS | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 230 lb (100 kg) | Dec 1, 2015 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A |||||||
| James Jeffery DE | Houston, TX | Cypress Ridge HS | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 235 lb (107 kg) | Jan 17, 2016 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A |||||||
| Mike Coats OLB | Edmond, OK | Santa Fe HS | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 212 lb (96 kg) | Jan 16, 2016 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A |||||||
| Blake George DB | Humble, TX | Humble HS | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 193 lb (88 kg) | Dec 15, 2015 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A |||||||
| Del'Chaung Rushing LB | Webster, TX | Clear Springs HS | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | Jan 16, 2016 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A |||||||
| Austin Krautz ATH | Nederland, TX | Nederland HS | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | Oct 29, 2015 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A |||||||
| Christian Langston LS | Port Neches, TX | Port Neches HS | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | Oct 29, 2015 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A |||||||
| Caisen Sullivan WR | Port Neches, TX | Port Neches HS | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | Sep 23, 2015 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A |||||||
| Tre Towery DL | Moore, OK | Westmoore HS | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 290 lb (130 kg) | Jan 24, 2016 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A |||||||
| Mitchell Gray P | Brisbane, Australia | Westmore HS | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | |
| Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A |||||||
| Overall recruiting rankings: 247Sports: 133 |||||||
| Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "2016 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 26, 2016. "Lamar 2016 Football Commits". 247sports.com. Retrieved February 26, 2016. |||||||

### Post Signing Day Transfers

Andrew Allen transferred from New Mexico State. He has two years of eligibility remaining. Allen started 8 games and played in 17 games for the Aggies. He had 1,700 yards passing and 16 touchdowns, and rushed for 352 yards for New Mexico State. Ratings are from the high school recruiting period.
US college sports recruiting information for Late recruits :
| Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | Commit date |
| Andrew Allen QB | Texas City, TX | New Mexico State | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | Enrolled |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Overall recruiting rankings: |||||||
| Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: |||||||

## Schedule

Lamar University announced its 2016 football schedule on February 17, 2016. According to the announcement, the 2016 schedule will consist of eleven games with a conference schedule of nine games. Out of conference games are the season home opener against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers which will be in its first year of transition to NCAA Division I (FBS), followed by an away game against NCAA Division I (FBS) American Athletic Conference member, Houston Cougars. Six of the games, including five Southland Conference games, will be played at home at Provost Umphrey Stadium.
| Date | Time | Opponent | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 3 | 7:00 pm | No. 16 Coastal Carolina* | Provost Umphrey StadiumBeaumont, TX | ESPN3 | L 14–38 | 8,697 |
| September 10 | 11:00 am | at No. 6 (FBS) Houston* | TDECU StadiumHouston, TX | ESPN3, ASN | L 0–42 | 39,402 |
| September 17 | 7:00 pm | No. 3 Sam Houston State | Provost Umphrey StadiumBeaumont, TX | ESPN3 | L 31–44 | 8,343 |
| October 1 | 7:00 pm | Southeastern Louisiana | Provost Umphrey StadiumBeaumont, TX | ESPN3 | W 38–14 | 7,032 |
| October 8 | 6:00 pm | at Abilene Christian | Shotwell StadiumAbilene, TX | ACUSports | W 38–10 | 6,232 |
| October 15 | 6:00 pm | Northwestern State | Provost Umphrey StadiumBeaumont, TX | ESPN3 | W 32–31 | 7,159 |
| October 22 | 6:00 pm | at No. 20 Central Arkansas | Estes StadiumConway, AR | ESPN3 | L 12–22 | 10,257 |
| October 29 | 6:00 pm | Houston Baptist | Provost Umphrey StadiumBeaumont, TX | ESPN3 | L 17–24 | 7,777 |
| November 3 | 6:00 pm | at Nicholls State | Manning Field at John L. Guidry StadiumThibodaux, LA | ESPN3 | L 10–35 | 7,121 |
| November 12 | 6:00 pm | Incarnate Word | Provost Umphrey StadiumBeaumont, TX | ESPN3 | L 28–35 | 5,566 |
| November 19 | 6:00 pm | at McNeese State | Cowboy StadiumLake Charles, LA (Battle of the Border) | AACI | L 10–41 | 8,804 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecomingRankings from STATS Poll released prior to the gameAll times are in Central time |||||||

## Game summaries
### Coastal Carolina

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • #16 Chanticleers | 3 | 0 | 25 | 10 | 38 |
| Cardinals | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 |

### @ Houston

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| • #6 (FBS) Cougars | 14 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 42 |

### Sam Houston State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • #3 Bearkats | 14 | 16 | 7 | 7 | 44 |
| Cardinals | 3 | 0 | 14 | 14 | 31 |

### Southeastern Louisiana

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Lions | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| • Cardinals | 14 | 3 | 14 | 7 | 38 |

### @ Abilene Christian

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Cardinals | 0 | 17 | 14 | 7 | 38 |
| Wildcats | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 10 |

### Northwestern State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Demons | 3 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 31 |
| • Cardinals | 0 | 9 | 6 | 17 | 32 |

### @ Central Arkansas

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 12 |
| • #20 Bears | 0 | 10 | 9 | 3 | 22 |

### Houston Baptist (Homecoming Game)

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Huskies | 7 | 0 | 10 | 7 | 24 |
| Cardinals | 7 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 17 |

### @ Nicholls

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
| • Colonels | 7 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 35 |

### Incarnate Word

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Cardinals (UIW) | 7 | 0 | 14 | 14 | 35 |
| Cardinals (LU) | 7 | 0 | 14 | 7 | 28 |

### @ McNeese State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
| • Cowboys | 14 | 14 | 7 | 6 | 41 |