Last year Lamar football started the season with a 51-0 loss against UNT. But instead of giving up, the Cardinals turned everything around.
They beat South Dakota in their second game, which started their six-game winning streak, leading them to their best season ever and punched their ticket to the FCS playoffs.
Unfortunately, their playoff berth was cut short in an upsetting first round loss against the Abilene Christian Wildcats.
Fortunately, the Lamar Cardinals had the opportunity to change the narrative, facing off against the Wildcats in a week one game at Provost Umphrey Stadium, Aug. 29.
“We lost to them in the playoffs (last season) and I think that’s unfinished business,” LU head coach Pete Rossomondo said.
The Cardinals were able to handle that unfinished business, defeating the Wildcats in a thriller, 21-14. A key role in the Cardinals victory was quarterback Aidan McCown throwing three touchdowns, rallying the team to victory.
“The game this past weekend was huge for the team,” McCown said. “We wanted to get a little revenge for them knocking us out of the playoffs.”
After finishing third for the last two years, winning a conference championship is something the tea has made its mission this year, Rossomondo said.
“We haven’t had one of those around here since 1971,” Rossomondo said.
Now in his fourth season, Rossomondo has the opportunity to break the 55 year drought after turning the cardinal program around from the 2022 season where they went 1-10. Since then, he has improved the Cardinals record from six wins in 2023, seven in 2024, and eight in 2025.
Rossomondo credits the improvement to motivation.
“But motivation lasts about one play, and then it’s all about execution,” he said.
Beyond their goals on the field, Lamar’s team dynamic has become a major strength
“(They’re a) good group of guys that cares about each other,” Rossomondo said, “I think there’s a lot of leaders.”
That leadership role also carries into the quarterback room, McCown said.
“We all push each other, so we’ll just make each other better,” he said.
With players supporting and challenging one another, McCown said he believes the team has what it takes to build on last season’s playoff appearance.
“I feel like this is the most talented team since I’ve been here,” he said.
The Cardinals next home game is against Northwestern State, Oct. 3. Kickoff is 6 p.m.