Five Quick Thoughts: LU vs Grambling

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1. Grambling looked like an improved team from last year. I started my night on the Grambling sideline as they came out and they had some big boys and actually matched up decently with Lamar size wise. They were also the more intense team to start the game. While to me Lamar looked a little overconfident and started the game off sloppy, Grambling players were flying to the ball and played with a lot of confidence early. If they had better timing between their QB’s and WR’s they’d been a much tougher out. Their run defense was giving the Cardinal offense fits most of the night. 

2. As expected one of the major strengths of this years Cardinal team is the WR corps. They’re deep and talented at the position and will give other teams in the SLC fits if used properly. The staff should have the luxury of rotating these guys in and out and not missing a beat. WR Reggie Begelton playing in the slot just isn’t going to be fair to many opposing defenses and WR Mark Roberts is a dangerous deep threat on every play.  

3. The offensive play calling in the first half was confusing to me. The stubbornness in wanting to run between the tackles prevented the Cardinals from putting more points on the board early and may have got RB Kade Harrington injured. He’s not built to run between the tackles but they continued to pound the rock with eight Grambling Tigers waiting in the box. It was getting really physical in the trenches and Harrington had his knee wrapped in the 2nd half and didn’t return. Once he was out and the offense opened it up success followed. QB Caleb Berry set a Lamar record throwing for 389 yards and 5 TD’s many of which occurred during a dominating stretch early in the 3rd quarter. That 28 point quarter is what I was expecting to see from the get go. I’m sure they’re saving a lot of that for when the games really count. 

4. DB Xavier Bethany deserves consideration for SLC defensive player of the week for his well rounded effort (11 tackles, forced fumble, INT). The entire defense played decent but did allow the occasional big play from Grambling. It looked like a young defense with a lot of newcomers due to the few big plays allowed and but as the season wears on and they get more reps they should be a good unit come conference time.  I loved the goal line stand at the end of the game.  That defense wasn’t allowing Grambling to get another cheap score and stood their ground. 

5. Speaking of conference, how about the Southland? Central Arkansas went toe to toe with the Big 12’s Texas Tech in Lubbock and the other higher ranked SLC schools all won their games convincingly. Whoever ultimately wins this conference will have earned a playoff spot. 

I’m sure the coaches will have plenty to talk about and work on heading into next week but will take the 42-27 opening night win.  Overall the team did what they were expected to do and the game never was in doubt. The coaches deserve credit for making the necessary adjustments and getting the team prepared after halftime and it showed on the field.  Hopefully the guys that left with injuries weren’t too serious because they’ll need them all at next weekends game in College Station.

 

 

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