McNeese Football Game- Spoke With Alumni Friends

Was at a gathering last evening( Thursday) with 4 friends. All 4 have degrees from LU( 5 including myself), and all four are convinced nothing will happen to Coach Morgan after the McNeese game, win or lose.

They all believe that the " power brokers" either in Beaumont or with the TSUS could care less about Lamar athletics.

Two of the four are convinced football is doomed and will be gone within 5 years.

One of the four thinks LU should play Division III ball, if we even keep football.

Two of the four had season tickets, but gave them up before COVID.

One is convinced that Morgan is a salesman, thus he being hired.

It make you wonder how prevalent this feeling is about LU Football? Is it doomed?

Was at a gathering last evening( Thursday) with 4 friends. All 4 have degrees from LU( 5 including myself), and all four are convinced nothing will happen to Coach Morgan after the McNeese game, win or lose.

They all believe that the " power brokers" either in Beaumont or with the TSUS could care less about Lamar athletics.

Two of the four are convinced football is doomed and will be gone within 5 years.

One of the four thinks LU should play Division III ball, if we even keep football.

Two of the four had season tickets, but gave them up before COVID.

One is convinced that Morgan is a salesman, thus he being hired.

It make you wonder how prevalent this feeling is about LU Football? Is it doomed?

 

That's the stupidest shit I've heard today. They'll NEVER kill the program again - no chance. And they aren't dropping down to Division II or III either. Idiots.

Well, I do not think anything presented was the stupidest thing I have ever heard. Why would this not be a consideration. I do not have anything to base my opinion on but what I see. I am not in the loop. I just cannot see how football is doing anything but losing money. I am also worried about losing the program due to lack of interest and attendance. I was told by a player in the 80s that Lamar promised to keep the football program if they sold a number of season tickets. I do not remember the number. That number was met and we still dropped the program. This was from a player, who had graduated, but was trying to help sell season tickets. Our money games were not against big high money programs this year so I do not know how much we made. Our attendance is terrible! I truly hope we do not drop the program or drop down in classification. But to say it is not a possibility is just speculation. I have been involved in LU football since 1982.

Given that they're still spending money on the program, I doubt they're looking to drop the program.

 

When Alborn was coaching them, he and his staff were barely making more than they would have down the road at a HS.

Morgan and his staff are running a high-dollar program.

 

The regents aren't looking to meddle. This is an "O'Malley and the donors" situation as the salaries being bought out aren't coming from general funds- they're coming from private donations that are earmarked for the Athletic Department, but even if they were, they'd be meddling in Spivital's buyout first.

Well, I do not think anything presented was the stupidest thing I have ever heard. Why would this not be a consideration. I do not have anything to base my opinion on but what I see. I am not in the loop. I just cannot see how football is doing anything but losing money. I am also worried about losing the program due to lack of interest and attendance. I was told by a player in the 80s that Lamar promised to keep the football program if they sold a number of season tickets. I do not remember the number. That number was met and we still dropped the program. This was from a player, who had graduated, but was trying to help sell season tickets. Our money games were not against big high money programs this year so I do not know how much we made. Our attendance is terrible! I truly hope we do not drop the program or drop down in classification. But to say it is not a possibility is just speculation. I have been involved in LU football since 1982.

 

You have been involved since 1982 yet you did not know the story about the season ticket drive?

 

I do 100% believe that Morgan is a great salesman. There is zero other explanation as to how he got the job. I seriously doubt anyone is wanting to kill the program again and I seriously doubt anyone wants us to move down. That sounds absurd

I have no real idea, but is it even possible to play a lower division football and remain D-1 in the other sports?

If Morgan is gone by the end of next week then we will know O'Malley is serious about his job. If not then it is business as usual.

Well ya dont support a program by canceling your tix.

 

i think everyone gives the AD more power than he actually has. I dont think the AD made the decision to hire morgan and i dont think it will be the AD that makes the decision to fire him. I think when it comes to football and basketball, hes just a booster mouthpiece to do what they want.

If Morgan is gone by the end of next week then we will know O'Malley is serious about his job. If not then it is business as usual.

 

The new administration has gotten rid of a number of Ken Evans bad choices outside of athletics. That gives me hope that the same will happen in sports.

Side note, for what it's worth, UIW and Northwestern State play for a piece of the conference championship today. Southeastern La will be co-champs with the winner and gets the tie breaker having defeated both of them. Now for tonight's McNeese game, the Cards have a chance and maybe the rivalry will bring out the best of the players. No matter the outcome, Morgan should be let go. Edited November 19, 2022 by geezer

End of the first quarter, with Lamar on a good, sustained drive. Second and goal from about the 3. Edited November 20, 2022 by geezer

Lamar gets a touchdown on the first play of the second quarter to take a 7-0 lead.

I must admit LU moved the ball down the field and scored. Our offense looked good on that drive. That quick McNeese just broke a long TD and scored 7-7.

McNeese comes back with a 79-yard run to tie the game at 7-7. Two play, eighty-eight-yard drive.

Lamar responds with a good start of a drive but get stopped on a fumble that's returned for a touchdown to make the score 14-7 favor of McNeese.

Lamar has a good kickoff return following the McNeese touchdown. Followed by a good run by Griffen, the drive stalls out with Lamar settling for a field goal to close the gap to four points. 14-10 McNeese on top.

Lamar gives up another 70-yard touchdown run, and McNeese takes a 21-10 lead with 2:57 left in the first half.

Bowden is a stud

21-17 McNeese

Bowden takes the kickoff 98-yards for a touchdown to close the gap again. Can Lamar stop the Cowboys before the half. McNeese will get the first possession of the 2nd half. 21-17 McNesse.

On the second play of McNeese's drive Lamar gets an interception. Lamar now has a chance to get another score before the half.

Lamar strikes first in the second half with a 44-yard field goal to close to within one point 21-20 McNeese still leading.

Remainder of 3rd quarter is scoreless. Lamar gives up a fumble early in the fourth and McNeese is able to convert a field goal to extend the lead back to four points with 9:58 left in the game.

I have no real idea, but is it even possible to play a lower division football and remain D-1 in the other sports?

Wait we were going FBS and after a horrible coaching hire we are going D2? If we go below FCS I would definitely be done.

Thank God, it is finally over.