BEAUMONT, Texas – It can be argued that Mother Nature is not a fan of Lamar University football. Every year coaches and players know they will be dealing with the heat and humidity associated with southeast Texas in August. In an attempt to force the LU coaching staff to change its plans, she has thrown the football team a few curveballs this week. The Cards were supposed to be on the football field for a 9 a.m. workout Thursday morning, but lightning in the area forced the team to push back the practice until early afternoon. After altering the Friday schedule from its original 7:30 p.m. practice to 3 p.m., Mother Nature has been at it again with thunderstorms in the Beaumont area throughout the morning forcing the team to be on alert.
 
It could be that Mother Nature is just having a bit of fun at the expense of the Red and White with preseason camp starting to wind down. The forecast for Saturday's scrimmage appears to be more positive than the previous 48 hours which is good news for a coaching staff that is still trying to lock down the starting spots at several position, not the least of which is quarterback.
 
Heading into fall camp, everyone assumed the battle for the starting nod would be between senior transfer Joe Minden and junior college transfer Carson Earp. To make things tougher on the fans (and coaches), each passing day sees both players do something that would make you think one has the edge over the other. Adding to the QB battle during the first scrimmage was another transfer Blake McKenzie. A relative unknown to this point, McKenzie did a solid job of managing the offense and avoiding would-be tacklers. He finished the day completing 10-of-16 (.625) passes for 96 yards.
 
The Cardinals will be back at it Saturday beginning at 7 p.m. with their second scrimmage of fall camp. The coaching staff will lineup the first-team offense against first-team defense, following by the second-team units taking the field, then the coaching staff will mix things up a bit.
 
"We will be taking a long look at our special teams Saturday," said head coach Ray Woodard. "We are also going to be looking to solidify some starting roles as we move into the upcoming week of practice. Tomorrow's scrimmage will go a long way in determining those roles."
 
In addition to the Saturday's scrimmage, the football team will also be hosting the LU Fan Fest, which gets under way at 5:30 p.m. from Provost Umphrey Stadium. A family-oriented event, the fan fest will provide numerous activities for the children which including a coloring station, free Rotolo's pizza, free Kona Ice treats, free LU mini footballs (all while supplies last).
 
In addition to all of the activities for the children, members of the LU cheer and dance squads will be on hand to greet fans as the enter the stadium. The LU Marching Band will also perform on the field prior to kickoff.
 
Beginning at 6 p.m., members of the football team will be available for pictures and to sign autographs. Fans looking for the latest Lamar gear can visit the Cotton Cargo trailer.
 
The Cardinals will kick off the scrimmage at 7 p.m. Big Red's regular-season opener will be Saturday, Sept. 5 when it hosts Bacone College. The game against the Warriors will kick off at 7 p.m. from Provost Umphrey Stadium.