TexGator

Not sure where you've gone in Delaware, but to get to Newark (learned the hard way, it's "New-ark" and not pronounced like the NY city), you fly into Philly and drive about 30-40 minutes. It's like going from IAH to Conroe or Hobby to Galveston. This is a "going home" situation... with a tinge of "doubling (if not tripling) his compensation"- Drayton made $1.8M last year... Keeler's extension came out to $812,500 for this year- albeit that he probably hit some bonuses.

I don't disagree that it's not as the bar-none top priority it used to be but I've talked with plenty of guys coming out the last couple of years and they've all said it's still something that want- they want a "home"... even if it's only for a couple of years because they're seeing the numbers and FCS guys who enter the portal usually don't end up with a better stiuation. The classes of '26 and '27 don't want to have to re-start their recruitment. It's exciting to be wanted and the money is nice, but they also know this world of open, unrestricted transfers could end any day and the NCAA announces the rules are different w/o any grandfather clause. Adding even 1 year onto his contract can be a deal-maker for guys.

They had 42 combined penalties (for 365 yards) in the Texas State, MVSU, and Texas Southern games. ... while their opponents had 36 (for 304 yards). That sounds, as much as anything, that those refs just called the game really tightly- especially in the MVSU game. We went 2-1 in those games. (and, unless I typed something in wrong, it was 99 penalties for 869 yards) But, getting this thread back on the rails, while I'd like the penalties to decrease, I don't think "number of penalties in non-conference" is a decision-maker in an extension for Rosso, when it's a subjective stat- if a team makes good plays, they don't accept as many penalties. While it's not the be all, end all in this transfer portal era we've created, recruits aren't keen on committing to a school and coach that aren't committed to being there through the end of that student's eligibility. If memory serves, he got a 5-year deal... which means the guys Rosso's recruiting in the Classes of '26 and '27 only have an assurance he's going to be there for their first year or two.

Turns out that we're not one of the most penalized teams.

People that think they know better than a coach are idiots. You are spot on that, if the Southeastern game went the Cards way and they made the playoffs, there would still be skeptics of the system.

Given the culture change and better results on the field, is it time for O'Malley to start talking to Rossomando about an extension- one that will keep him from wanting to interview for other jobs? I'm not saying another school will pluck him up after going 13-10 the first 2 years, the trajectory of the program makes it where an opening somewhere next year might get some tougher calls for his agent to return with "Coach Rossomando is grateful you appreciated his work enough to extend an offer to interview, but he's very happy at Lamar." Don't worry- I think Rice is going to first look at Clint Killough or K. C. Keeler, but Rosso has definitely earned, in my opinion, a little additional job security (But I'm not writing the whole check for the additional money- I'm not that well off).

I mean that, after he had that performance, more offers than we've seen probably rolled in. While I think he'd be great in the Cardinals' offense, it's hard to not "reopen your recruitment" when the FBS coaches start calling. I doubt we'd lose him to another FCS offer with the relationship they look like they forged, but it's hard to not listen even some G5 schools start calling, let alone P4.

Well, that was definitely a great way to win a game. Now, let's build off that and push for the 2025 playoffs.

And that performance led to him decommitting. Hopefully, the coaches can reel him back in. He's special and could be a special player at Lamar.

It's not attached. This upgrade is all about the team itself. With that, moving some of the stadium facilities over to the new building will likely allow them to renovate the stadium and upgrade the fan experience next. Regardless of any "next steps," this is an important project for the team. Secures our place has having the best facilities in the Southland, makes the program more attractive for recruits, and a sought-after place for events. Maybe it'll give us a chance to even be the long-term home of the SLC Tournament. Now that the conference seems to be going away from using minor league parks (I'd guess because of the cost), having the superior ballpark and a central location gives us a built-in advantage that we might as well literally capitalize on.

I'll be part of that crowd. Saw that there's a deal to get tickets to the last 2 home games... wish I could put what I paid for Saturday's tickets toward the deal- $48 for a pair of chairback seats for the other game!

The fact LSUA has shot more FTs than the Cardinals is my worry- it'd be one thing if the Cards weren't playing much defense, but 19 FTs by a team we should have put away is worrisome for me.

Looking at the numbers, so far, in conference. There are 4 tiers: Tier 1: SFA Incarnate Word, Lamar, Southeastern (all in the top 4 in offense and defense) Tier 2: TAMU-Commerce (5th in both) Tier 3: McNeese, Nicholls, Houston Christian (all 6th, 7th, or 8th in offense and defense) Tier 4: Northwestern State Call me crazy, but I care about SCORING offense and defense a lot more than yards. If you put up 500 yards of offense, but never put it in the end zone, you mean nothing to me... same for giving up 1000 yards, but you get a turnover or make a stand, when it counts.

I 100% agree. To push the team toward the 4-0 side, it starts this week.

We're hitting the home stretch of conference. We're at 2-1 while Southeastern is at 3-1. After a pair of bounce-back wins, it's time for the Cards to assert themselves as a top-tier team in the Southland and games like this are the start of it. So important that even I'm coming into town for it!!!