# 2021 Lamar Cardinals football team

The 2021 Lamar Cardinals football team represented Lamar University in the 2021 NCAA Division I FCS football season as a member of the Western Athletic Conference. The Cardinals were led by second-year head coach Blane Morgan and played their home games at Provost Umphrey Stadium. The game against North American University is not included in the Western Athletic Conference or AQ7 standings because it was classed as an exhibition game and was not countable due to NCAA policies.
The Western Athletic Conference and ASUN Conference announced the formation of the WAC-ASUN Challenge (AQ7) for the 2021 season on February 23, 2021. The Challenge included the four fully qualified Division I (FCS) members of the WAC (Abilene Christian, Lamar, Sam Houston, and Stephen F. Austin) and Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky, and Jacksonville State of the ASUN Conference. The winner of the challenge received an auto-bid to the NCAA Division I FCS football playoffs.
The Cardinals finished the season with a 1–9 overall record. They were 0–6 in AQ7 Challenge play finishing in seventh place.

## Preseason
### Recruiting

Sources:
| Back | B | Center | C | Cornerback | CB | Defensive back | DB |
| Defensive end | DE | Defensive lineman | DL | Defensive tackle | DT | End | E |
| Fullback | FB | Guard | G | Halfback | HB | Kicker | K |
| Kickoff returner | KR | Offensive tackle | OT | Offensive lineman | OL | Linebacker | LB |
| Long snapper | LS | Punter | P | Punt returner | PR | Quarterback | QB |
| Running back | RB | Safety | S | Tight end | TE | Wide receiver | WR |
College recruiting information (2021) :
| Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | 40$^‡$ |
| Damian Alexander CB | New Orleans, LA | Booker T. Washington High School | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | – |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A |||||||
| Alex Auer K/P | Shreveport, LA | Captain Shreve High School | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | – |
| Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A |||||||
| Jacob Bayer OL | Grandview, TX | Grandview | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 315 lb (143 kg) | – |
| Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: |||||||
| Ayden Bell DL | Silsbee, TX | Silsbee High School | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 273 lb (124 kg) | – |
| Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A |||||||
| Reggie Brooks DL | Wylie, TX | Wylie East High School | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 295 lb (134 kg) | – |
| Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A |||||||
| RJ Carver RB | McKinney, TX | McKinney High School | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 215 lb (98 kg) | |
| Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A |||||||
| James Collins OL | Mesquite, TX | John Horn High School | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 270 lb (120 kg) | – |
| Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A |||||||
| Antorius Hambric CB | Forney, TX | North Forney High School | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | – |
| Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A |||||||
| Dozie Ifeadi WR | Tyler, TX | Bishop Thomas K. Gorman Catholic School | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | – |
| Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A |||||||
| Dane Jentsch QB/S | Grandview, TX | Grandview High School | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 198 lb (90 kg) | – |
| Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A |||||||
| Caleb Leonard OL | Pearland, TX | Shadow Creek High School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 310 lb (140 kg) | – |
| Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: |||||||
| Kerry McMillion S | River Ridge, LA | John Curtis Christian School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | – |
| Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A |||||||
| Drew Moss OL | Richardson, TX | Richardson High School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 270 lb (120 kg) | – |
| Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A |||||||
| Darion Peace ILB/QB | Malakoff, TX | Malakoff High School | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | – |
| Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A |||||||
| Demarco Roberts CB | Aledo, TX | Aledo High School | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | – |
| Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: |||||||
| Colby Sessums K/P | Haslet, TX | V.R. Eaton High School | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | – |
| Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A |||||||
| Ramond Stevens CB | New Orleans, LA | Warren Easton Charter High School | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | – |
| Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A |||||||
| Javonta Thomas WR | Van, TX | Van High School | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | – |
| Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A |||||||
| James Williams OL | DeRidder, LA | DeRidder High School | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 293 lb (133 kg) | – |
| Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A |||||||
| Jase Williams ILB | Slidell, LA | Slidell High School | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | – |
| Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A |||||||
| Caleb Arnold OLB | Texarkana, TX | Texas High School | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | – |
| Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A |||||||
| Treviance Bronson DT | Katy, TX | James E. Taylor High School | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 290 lb (130 kg) | – |
| Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A |||||||
| Breylon Charles DE | New Orleans, LA | Destrehan High School | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 250 lb (110 kg) | – |
| Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: |||||||
| Canden Grogan WR | Mont Belvieu, TX | Barbers Hill High School | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | – |
| Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A |||||||
| Damashja Harris RB | Killeen, TX | Ellison High School | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | – |
| Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A |||||||
| Keshaun Lazard WR | Opelousas, LA | Northwest High School | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | – |
| Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A |||||||
| Jaymond Jackson DE | Lindale, TX | Lindale High School | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 212 lb (96 kg) | – |
| Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: |||||||
| Tonga Lolohea DE | Euless, TX | Trinity High School | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 212 lb (96 kg) | – |
| Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: |||||||
| Adrian Owens LB | Houston, TX | Langham Creek High School | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 220 lb (100 kg) | – |
| Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A |||||||
| Daelyn Williams QB | Houston, TX | Dekaney High School | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 160 lb (73 kg) | – |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A |||||||
| Overall recruiting rankings: 247Sports: #13 FCS, #144 FBS and FCS combined |||||||
| 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: "2020 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. |||||||

### Preseason polls
#### WAC Poll

The Western Athletic Conference coaches released their preseason poll on July 27, 2021. The Cardinals were picked to finish fifth in the conference. In addition, one Cardinal, Anthony Ruffin, was chosen to the Preseason All-WAC Defense Team.
| Predicted finish | Team | Votes (1st place) |
| 1 | Sam Houston | 20 (5) |
| 2 | Stephen F. Austin | 16 (1) |
| 3 | Tarleton State | 11 |
| 4 | Lamar | 8 |
| 5 | Abilene Christian | 5 |
* Note: Dixie State is not included since they are not playing a full WAC schedule due to previous non-conference game contracts. Dixie State players are eligible for individual rewards.

#### AQ7 Poll

The AQ7 coaches also released their preseason poll on July 27, 2021. The Cardinals were picked to finish seventh in the ASUN-WAC Challenge.
| Predicted finish | Team | Votes (1st place) |
| 1 | Sam Houston | 49 (7) |
| 2 | Central Arkansas | 40 |
| 3 | Jacksonville State | 37 |
| 4 | Stephen F. Austin | 27 |
| 5 | Eastern Kentucky | 20 |
| 6 | Abilene Christian | 15 |
| 7 | Lamar | 8 |

## Schedule

| Date | Time | Opponent | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 2 | 7:00 pm | North American* | Provost Umphrey StadiumBeaumont, TX | ESPN+ | W 47–3 (exhibition) | 5,844 |
| September 11 | 5:00 pm | at UTSA* | AlamodomeSan Antonio, TX | ESPN3 | L 0–54 | 16,229 |
| September 18 | 3:00 pm | at Northern Colorado* | Nottingham FieldGreeley, CO | ESPN+ | W 17–10 $^{OT}$ | 5,605 |
| September 25 | 6:00 pm | Abilene Christian* | Provost Umphrey StadiumBeaumont, TX | ESPN+ | L 0–56 | 5,411 |
| October 9 | 2:00 pm | at No. 1 Sam Houston | Bowers StadiumHuntsville, TX | ESPN+ | L 7–41 | 9,836 |
| October 16 | 3:00 pm | at Abilene Christian | Wildcat StadiumAbilene, TX | ESPN+ | L 17–24 | 10,121 |
| October 23 | 6:00 pm | Central Arkansas | Provost Umphrey StadiumBeaumont, TX (WAC/ASUN Challenge) | ESPN+ | L 38–49 | 5,228 |
| October 30 | 1:00 pm | at No. 25 Eastern Kentucky | Roy Kidd StadiumRichmond, KY (WAC/ASUN Challenge) | ESPN+ | L 10–42 | 8,462 |
| November 6 | 6:00 pm | at Tarleton State | Memorial StadiumStephenville, TX | ESPN+ | L 21–42 | 8,048 |
| November 13 | 4:00 pm | Jacksonville State | Provost Umphrey StadiumBeaumont, TX (WAC/ASUN Challenge) | ESPN+ | L 7–38 | 6,812 |
| November 20 | 4:00 pm | No. 22 Stephen F. Austin | Provost Umphrey StadiumBeaumont, TX | ESPN+ | L 6–42 | 5,411 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecomingRankings from STATS Poll released prior to the gameAll times are in Central time |||||||

## Game summaries
### North American

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| North American | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Cardinals | 14 | 17 | 13 | 3 | 47 |
Statistics
| Statistics | North American | Lamar |
| First downs | 8 | 19 |
| Total yards | 138 | 437 |
| Rushing yards | 10 | 243 |
| Passing yards | 128 | 194 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 23:21 | 36:39 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| North American | Passing | Randall Moore | 11/30, 128 yards, long 22 yards |
| North American | Rushing | Kierr Cazenave | 7 carries, 36 yards, long 17 yards |
| North American | Receiving | Dee Spivey | 3 receptions, 44 yards, long 22 yards |
| Lamar | Passing | Jalen Dummett | 6/8, 124 yards, long 42 yards, 2 TDs |
| Lamar | Rushing | Chaz Ward | 15 carries, 59 yards, long 11 yards, 1 TDs |
| Lamar | Receiving | Erik Pizarro | 2 receptions, 63 yards, long 41 yards, 1 TDs |

### At UTSA

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Lamar | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| UTSA | 13 | 21 | 10 | 10 | 54 |
Statistics
| Statistics | Lamar | UTSA |
| First downs | 10 | 20 |
| Total yards | 122 | 427 |
| Rushing yards | 89 | 106 |
| Passing yards | 33 | 321 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 30:27 | 29:33 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Lamar | Passing | Jalen Dummett | 6/11, 33 yards, long 14 yards |
| Lamar | Rushing | James Jones | 13 carries, 52 yards, long 11 yards |
| Lamar | Receiving | Jeremy Davis | 2 catches, 19 yards, long 11 yards |
| UTSA | Passing | Josh Adkins | 11/13; 134 yards, long 32 yards, 2 TDs |
| UTSA | Rushing | Sincere McCormick | 7 carries, 46 yards, long 18 yards, 2 TDs |
| UTSA | Receiving | Cade Stoever | 2 catches, 84 yards, long 60 yards |

### At Northern Colorado

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| Lamar | 0 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 17 |
| Northern Colorado | 0 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 |
Statistics
| Statistics | Lamar | Northern Colorado |
| First downs | 16 | 12 |
| Total yards | 301 | 236 |
| Rushing yards | 202 | 84 |
| Passing yards | 99 | 152 |
| Turnovers | 2, 1 lost | 0 |
| Time of possession | 28:35 | 31:25 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Lamar | Passing | Jalen Dummett | 7/13, 86 yards, long 36 yards |
| Lamar | Rushing | Chaz Ward | 20 carries, 80 yards, long 10 yards |
| Lamar | Receiving | Erik Pizarro | 3 catches, 66 yards, long 36 yards |
| Northern Colorado | Passing | Conner Martin | 19/31, 152 yards, long 29 yards, 1 TD |
| Northern Colorado | Rushing | Gene Sledge, Jr | 15 carries, 100 yards, long 25 yards |
| Northern Colorado | Receiving | Kassidy Woods | 5 catches, 44 yards, long 29 yards |

### Abilene Christian

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Abilene Christian | 14 | 14 | 21 | 7 | 56 |
| Lamar | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Statistics
| Statistics | Abilene Christian | Lamar |
| First downs | 22 | 10 |
| Total yards | 461 | 136 |
| Rushing yards | 274 | 98 |
| Passing yards | 187 | 38 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 29:13 | 30:47 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Abilene Christian | Passing | Stone Earl | 13/18, 187 yards, long 32 yards, 3 TDs |
| Abilene Christian | Rushing | Peyton Mansell | 6 carries, 107 yards, long 62 yards, 1 TD |
| Abilene Christian | Receiving | Kobe Clark | 4 catches, 50 yards, long 16 yards, 1 TD |
| Lamar | Passing | Jalen Dummett | 4/7, 38 yards, long 14 yards |
| Lamar | Rushing | Hunter Batten | 7 carries, 29 yards, long 11 yards |
| Lamar | Receiving | Kirkland Banks | 2 catches, 15 yards, long 10 yards |

### At No. 1 Sam Houston

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Lamar | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Sam Houston | 14 | 6 | 7 | 14 | 41 |
Statistics
| Statistics | Lamar | Sam Houston |
| First downs | 10 | 24 |
| Total yards | 158 | 438 |
| Rushing yards | 23 | 267 |
| Passing yards | 135 | 171 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 31:39 | 28:21 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Lamar | Passing | Mike Chandler | 11/18, 135 yards |
| Lamar | Rushing | Chaz Ward | 11 carries, 23 yards, long 8 yards |
| Lamar | Receiving | Jeremy Davis | 2 catches, 52 yard, long 28 yards |
| Sam Houston State | Passing | Eric Schmid | 13/31, 159 yards, 2 TDS |
| Sam Houston State | Rushing | Noah Smith | 14 carries 120 yards, long 49 yards |
| Sam Houston State | Receiving | Cody Chrest | 4 catches, 81 yards, long 37 yards. |

### At Abilene Christian

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Lamar | 0 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Abilene Christian | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 24 |
Statistics
| Statistics | Lamar | Abilene Christian |
| First downs | 14 | 21 |
| Total yards | 364 | 466 |
| Rushing yards | 158 | 208 |
| Passing yards | 206 | 258 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 29:35 | 30:25 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Lamar | Passing | Mike Chandler | 9/17, 206 yds, 1 TD |
| Lamar | Rushing | James Jones | 9 carries, 81 yds, 1 TD |
| Lamar | Receiving | Nathan Gaskamp | 1 reception, 80 yards, 1 TD |
| Abilene Christian | Passing | Peyton Mansell | 10/18, 135 yds |
| Abilene Christian | Rushing | Peyton Mansell | 18 carries, 106 yds, 2 TD |
| Abilene Christian | Receiving | Davion Johnson | 6 receptions, 82 yds |

### Central Arkansas

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Central Arkansas | 21 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 49 |
| Lamar | 7 | 0 | 16 | 15 | 38 |
Statistics
| Statistics | Central Arkansas | Lamar |
| First downs | 22 | 22 |
| Total yards | 541 | 441 |
| Rushing yards | 350 | 251 |
| Passing yards | 191 | 190 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 30:24 | 29:36 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Central Arkansas | Passing | Breylin Smith | 17/30; 149 yards; long 16; 1 TD |
| Central Arkansas | Rushing | Darius Hale | 22 carries; 254 total yards; long 69; 4 TDS |
| Central Arkansas | Receiving | Tyler Hudson | 6 catches; 98 total yards; long 42; 1 TD |
| Lamar | Passing | Mike Chandler | 9/16; 154 yards; long 59; 2 TDS |
| Lamar | Rushing | Jalen Dummitt | 15 carries; 131 total yards; long 33; 1 TD |
| Lamar | Receiving | Kirkland Banks | 2 catches; 70 total yards; long 59; 1 TD |

### At No. 25 Eastern Kentucky

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Lamar | 0 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 10 |
| No. 25 Eastern Kentucky | 21 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 42 |
Statistics
| Statistics | Lamar | Eastern Kentucky |
| First downs | 12 | 20 |
| Total yards | 193 | 440 |
| Rushing yards | 116 | 217 |
| Passing yards | 77 | 223 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 31:34 | 28:26 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Lamar | Passing | Jalen Dummett | 5/7 - 55 yards; long 22 yards |
| Lamar | Rushing | Jalen Jackson | 11 carries; 49 total yards; long 14 |
| Lamar | Receiving | Marcellus Johnson | 2 catches; 33 total yards; long 28 |
| Eastern Kentucky | Passing | Parker McKinney | 15/20 - 218 yards; long 39 yards |
| Eastern Kentucky | Rushing | Da'Joun Hewitt | 20 carries; 101 total yards; long 22 yards; 2 TDS |
| Eastern Kentucky | Receiving | Dakota Allen | 4 catches; 76 total yards; long 26; 2 TDS |

### At Tarleton State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Lamar | 7 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 21 |
| Tarleton State | 7 | 14 | 7 | 14 | 42 |
Statistics
| Statistics | Lamar | Tarleton State |
| First downs | 16 | 20 |
| Total yards | 277 | 453 |
| Rushing yards | 193 | 134 |
| Passing yards | 84 | 319 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 31:46 | 29:20 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Lamar | Passing | Daelyn Williams | 9/18 - 84 yards; long 28 yards; 1 TD |
| Lamar | Rushing | Jaylon Jackson | 7 carries; 55 total yards; long 42; 1 TD |
| Lamar | Receiving | Kirkland Banks | 2 catches; 55 total yards; long 28; 2 TDS |
| Tarleton State | Passing | Steven Duncan | 21/32; long 58 yards; 2 TDS |
| Tarleton State | Rushing | Ryheem Skinner | 7 carries; 34 total yards; long 12; 1 TD |
| Tarleton State | Receiving | Marvin Landy | 3 catches; 91 total yards; long 58 |

### Jacksonville State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Jacksonville State | 0 | 10 | 7 | 21 | 38 |
| Lamar | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
Statistics
| Statistics | Jacksonville State | Lamar |
| First downs | 26 | 12 |
| Total yards | 493 | 147 |
| Rushing yards | 237 | 94 |
| Passing yards | 256 | 53 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 33:28 | 26:32 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Jacksonville State | Passing | Zerrick Cooper | 16/26 - 244 yards; long 33 yards; 3 TDs |
| Jacksonville State | Rushing | Ron Wiggins | 8 carries; 102 total yards; long 55; 2 TDs |
| Jacksonville State | Receiving | Ahmad Edwards | 5 catches; 95 total yards; long 33; 1 TD |
| Lamar | Passing | Daelyn Williams | 6/18 - 53 yards; long 24 yards |
| Lamar | Rushing | Jaylon Jackson | 22 carries; 89 total yards; long 19; 1 TD |
| Lamar | Receiving | Marcel Johnson | 2 catches; 31 total yards; long 24 |

### No. 22 Stephen F. Austin

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 22 Stephen F. Austin | 14 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 42 |
| Lamar | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
Statistics
| Statistics | Stephen F. Austin | Lamar |
| First downs | 18 | 13 |
| Total yards | 398 | 200 |
| Rushing yards | 100 | 83 |
| Passing yards | 298 | 117 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 25:31 | 34:29 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Stephen F. Austin | Passing | Trae Self | 15/23 - 262 yards; long 68 yards; 2 TDs |
| Stephen F. Austin | Rushing | Miles Reed | 8 carries; 44 total yards; long 12 |
| Stephen F. Austin | Receiving | Xavier Gipson | 6 catches; 164 total yards; long 68 |
| Lamar | Passing | Daelyn Williams | 7/19 - 116 yards; long 27 yards |
| Lamar | Rushing | Jalen Dummett | 7 carries; 26 total yards; long 11 |
| Lamar | Receiving | Erik Pizarro | 4 catches; 85 total yards; long 27 |

## TV and radio media

All Lamar games were broadcast on KLVI radio, also known as News Talk 560. Per a 2021 Western Athletic Conference agreement with ESPN, all home games were televised on one of the ESPN outlets.