HOUSTON, Texas - If there was one message SLU wanted to send at the 2026 Southland Conference Opening Drive, it was simple: the Lions aren't rebuilding. They're reloading. Representing SLU at media day were head coach Frank Scelfo, starting quarterback Kyle Lowe, and senior defensive lineman Peyton Anderson. Across multiple interviews and media sessions, one theme consistently emerged above all else: culture. Whether discussing leadership, recruiting, player development, or expectations for the upcoming season, the trio repeatedly returned to the same idea. At SLU, everyone is expected to protect the team, push one another, and focus on the little details that ultimately separate good teams from championship teams. A New-Look Team With Familiar Expectations SLU enters the 2026 season looking much different than last year's squad after replacing a senior class of 26 players. Despite the younger roster, Scelfo made it clear that the expectations of the program haven't changed. "You can expect to see an explosive, talented team," Scelfo said, adding that fans will see more players rotating into meaningful roles thanks to the depth the coaching staff has built. The Lions have posted the conference's best record over the past two seasons, and Scelfo believes the next wave of talent is ready to continue that success. Building Through Louisiana During the coaches' roundtable, Scelfo doubled down on SLU's recruiting philosophy. While NIL has become a valuable tool to fill immediate needs, he emphasized that high school recruiting remains the heartbeat of the program. SLU signed 28 players in its most recent recruiting class, the largest class in the Southland Conference, knowing today's college football landscape means some players may eventually move on through the transfer portal. "We'll continue recruiting high school players," Scelfo explained. "We might lose them after three or four years, but that's just the nature of the beast." Unlike many conference rivals that recruit heavily in Texas, SLU continues to build primarily from Louisiana, particularly Southeast Louisiana. As the easternmost football member of the Southland Conference, the Lions have found success by keeping local talent close to home. That philosophy became even more relevant during a discussion about recruiting footprints. East Texas A&M head coach Clint Dolezel praised Texas as the premier recruiting state in the country, referring to it as the "king" of high school football recruiting. He also highlighted Florida and California while failing to even acknowledge Louisiana. Dolezel went on to tout the benefits of hosting the Southland Conference Media Day in Houston, all but suggesting Louisiana schools should be thankful for the opportunity to recruit in Texas' backyard. That sentiment didn't sit uncontested. Northwestern State head coach Blaine McCorkle quickly came to Louisiana's defense. "Per capita there is no more passion and talent than the state of Louisiana," McCorkle said, adding that Louisiana has produced more NFL players per capita over the past 40 years than any other state. For a program like SLU that has built its roster around Louisiana talent, the exchange reinforced the recruiting identity Scelfo has embraced. The results only speak for themselves. While ETAMU has managed only 5 wins over the past 2 seasons, SLU has won 13 over that same timespan along with an FCS Playoff berth this past year. Protect the Team No phrase was repeated more throughout the day than "Protect the Team." Lowe and Anderson each described a locker room where accountability isn't optional. Teammates challenge one another daily on the practice field, in the weight room, in the classroom, and away from football. "Hammond fans are extremely passionate and supportive," Lowe said. "The team feels that support, and we want to play for the people who have our backs." Anderson echoed that sentiment from a different perspective. As a St. Amant High School alumnus, growing up just 30 minutes from Hammond, he said SLU has always felt like home. He is thankful that his friends and family have the opportunity to see him play every week he's in Strawberry Stadium. "The culture in our locker room is a team that's bought in," Anderson said. "When you have a team with that passion that's willing to push each other outside their comfort zones, good things are bound to happen." Both players repeatedly emphasized that "Protect the Team" isn't just a slogan. It's something they strive to live every day, whether on the football field, in the classroom, or throughout the community. The Details Matter During a one-on-one interview later in the day, Scelfo expanded on what separates this team. He pointed to players like Lowe, who has already earned his MBA in five years, and Anderson, who will be completing an engineering degree in just four years. "They're detail-oriented people," Scelfo explained, saying that attention to detail translates directly to success on the football field. That same mindset was echoed by Anderson during his own interview. "The little things will be the difference maker," he said. "If you're comfortable, you're not great." For Anderson, success comes from embracing his role, taking pride in the details, and continually improving year after year. Loyalty Still Matters One of the more refreshing storylines surrounding SLU is player loyalty. In an era where the transfer portal has reshaped college football, Anderson is entering his fourth season with the Lions. 4th Round NFL Draft pick Kaleb Proctor of the Arizona Cardinals also spent four years in Hammond. Sources have indicated that Anderson had opportunities to transfer, including reported interest from a touted SEC program, but chose to stay at SLU and finish what he started. That decision speaks volumes about the culture inside the program. For recruits considering where to spend their college careers, SLU is selling more than playing time. The Lions are selling development, stability, and a program that invests in its players both on and off the field. Eyes on the Prize Coming off another successful season, Lowe believes the Lions still have another level to reach. "We want to get over the hump," he said. "Win the conference and make a deep playoff run." Personally, Lowe has focused his offseason on improving his accuracy, becoming a stronger leader, distributing the football more effectively, and continuing to develop both his strength and mobility. Those goals mirror the team's mentality as a whole. Every interview throughout the day circled back to improving the small things, trusting one another, and continuing to build the culture that has made SLU one of the Southland Conference's most consistent programs. A Program Built to Compete Scelfo also took time to highlight what makes Saturdays in Hammond, America so special. From the atmosphere surrounding Strawberry Stadium to one of the conference's premier tailgating scenes, he described game day at SLU as one of the most unique experiences in the Southland. He also praised the league itself. "Southland football is exciting," Scelfo said, pointing to the level of talent throughout the conference and the quality of competition fans can expect every weekend. If Opening Drive served as an early glimpse into the 2026 season, SLU made one thing abundantly clear. The Lions may be younger than they've been in recent years, but inside the program, expectations haven't changed. The culture remains intact, the leadership is in place, and the goal is the same as it's been all along: compete for a Southland Conference championship and make a deep run in the FCS Playoffs. Photo Credit: @LionUpFootball on X

The Game Saturday’s clash between the Southeastern Lions and the Lamar Cardinals is, without a doubt, one of the biggest FCS games of the week and possibly the defining moment of the Southland Conference season. Both teams enter at 7-2, but Southeastern sits atop the standings at 5-0 in conference play, while Lamar’s 4-1 mark leaves them one game back after last week’s loss to UIW. A win for Southeastern would certainly position the Lions well for the Southland Conference title and keep them firmly in the driver’s seat for an FCS playoff berth. For Lamar, this game represents their last real shot to stay in the title hunt. A loss to Southeastern today would all but end their hopes for the conference crown and a shot at the FCS post season. Kickoff in Beaumont is set for 3 PM in what promises to be a physical, high-energy battle. The Season So Far Southeastern has been dominant in FCS play, averaging 47.1 points per game while giving up just 12.2 points per game for a point differential of +34.9, ranking among the FCS leaders in point differential. In 9 games, the Lions have outgained opponents by over 110 yards per game (402.9 to 289.1), powered by a balanced offense and a ruthless defense. Quarterback Carson Camp leads the passing attack with 1,313 yards and 11 TDs, while Kyle Lowe has also put up numbers in the passing game (723 yards, 7 TDs). Jaylon Domingeaux remains a steady playmaker, averaging 70 yards per game and 8 TDs on the year. On the ground, the committee of Deantre Jackson, Calvin Smith Jr., and Jaedon Henry coupled with the running ability of Kyle Lowe continues to control tempo and wear down defenses. Defensively, Southeastern is thriving behind the leadership of guys like KK Reno, Kaleb Proctor, Jakyri Jones, and Ian Conerly-Goodly. The Lions lead the conference with 29 sacks. They have forced 11 turnovers, holding FCS opponents to under 290 yards per game. What truly separates this Southeastern team from the rest of the Southland is its elite special teams play. The Lions have scored in every possible way this season, whether it be offense, defense, or special teams, and their return units have been lethal. Brandon Hayes and D’Khai Joseph have combined for multiple kickoff and punt return touchdowns, consistently flipping field position and providing momentum-changing plays. The Lamar Story After starting 7-1 and climbing into the national rankings, Lamar’s momentum took a hit last week in San Antonio, falling 24-17 to UIW. The Cardinals are physical on defense, led by LB C.J. Miller (51 tackles) and DL Andrew Huff (4.5 sacks), allowing only 22.4 points per game. Their offense averages 296 yards per game, with quarterback Aiden McCown throwing for 948 yards and 7 TDs, supported by running back Xavier Coleman’s 346 yards rushing, yet their offense has gone stagnant late in games, a problem that haunted them even in wins against East Texas A&M and UTRGV. Their special teams, however, remain dangerous. Kyndon Fuselier is one of the top return men in the nation, averaging 19.0 yards per punt return with two TDs, while kicker Ben Woodard is 12-for-14 on field goals, including a 57-yard bomb. Expect Lamar to rely on field position and turnovers to stay competitive. With all of this, the statistics tell a clear story, Lamar’s offense ranks near the bottom of the conference in total yardage, while Southeastern’s defense ranks among the highest. If the Lions continue to play their brand of fast, physical football, they should control the line of scrimmage and dictate tempo early. Predictions This matchup carries massive weight in the Southland title race and the FCS playoff picture. Southeastern can all but clinch the conference with a win, while Lamar is fighting to stay alive. Expect a fired-up home crowd in Beaumont, but the Lions have shown time and again that they thrive in pressure situations. According to Dimers.com, the Lions enter as 9.5 point favorites with a money line of -350, while Lamar sits at +255. The total for the game is set at 51.5 points, suggesting an expectation of moderate scoring but with Southeastern’s balance on offense and defensive discipline, the Lions could easily move that number upward if they start fast like they have all season. The keys to victory in this game are simple: win the line of scrimmage, protect the football, and sustain drives. Southeastern’s defensive front will be tested against Lamar’s offensive line, but have been dominant all year. The Lions’ offensive efficiency, averaging 402.9 yards per game, should continue to wear down a Lamar defense that has struggled late against physical teams. Final Prediciton: Southeastern 31, Lamar 20. The Lions keep rolling, improve to 8–2 (6–0 SLC), and move one step closer to locking down a conference championship and postseason berth. Where to find me? X: @LionUpLeBlanc You can also see me on the weekly Louisiana Gameday show, previewing all the College Football in Louisiana! Lion Up!

The Battle of the Lions The Southeastern Louisiana Lions delivered a complete performance in front of the home crowd of 4,121 on Military Night, dismantling East Texas A&M 59-14 in a statement victory at Strawberry Stadium. With the win, Southeastern improves to 7–2 overall and 5–0 in Southland Conference play, continuing their march toward a potential conference championship and FCS playoff berth. The win this week moved the Lions up to No. 14 in the AFCA FCS Coach's Poll and No. 19 in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 from No. 16/21. All week leading up to kickoff, fan account WeAreETAMU had plenty to say on X, predicting an upset in Hammond. The Lions responded where it mattered most, on the field. By the time the final whistle blew, Southeastern had outclassed their Southland foe in every phase of the game, forcing the talk from Commerce to turn to near complete silence. Southeastern’s offense set the tone early and never looked back, totaling 476 yards, 340 through the air and 136 on the ground, while holding ETAMU to just 291. Quarterback Carson Camp led the way with an efficient 11/18 for 226 yards and two touchdowns, while Kyle Lowe added 85 yards and a touchdown on 9/11 passing. Tanner Murray saw action as well in the fourth quarter, going 3/4 for 29 yards. Jaylon Domingeaux continued his incredible campaign, hauling in four catches for 157 yards and two touchdowns, including a highlight 82-yard bomb that put the first points on the board. The backfield committee was again steady and balanced as Kyree Paul, Calvin Smith Jr., Jaedon Henry, and Deantre Jackson combined for 114 rushing yards on 21 carries. Smith Jr. led the charge with two touchdowns, while Paul and Jackson each added one. Coach Scelfo’s Lions showed a ruthless edge all night, refusing to take their foot off the gas. Up 28-0 late in the first half, Southeastern could’ve run out the clock, but instead drove the field with 1:36 remaining and scored again to make it 35-0 at halftime. Then, up 52-7 with under three minutes to play, the Lions threw one more touchdown to make it 59-7, reaffirming that this team continues to play all the way to the final whistle. From a fan’s perspective, that relentless mentality is exactly what you want to see; no coasting, no mercy, just pure dominance from start to finish. Defensively, the Lions continued to assert themselves as one of the most complete units in the FCS. Linebacker KK Reno led with 10 tackles, while Ian Conerly-Goodly made a major impact with an interception, a pass breakup, and several key stops. Rowan Briggs forced a fumble and recorded 1.5 tackles for loss, while Jakyri Jones added 1.5 TFLs and a pass breakup. The pass rush was ruthless with sacks coming from Briggs, Evan Aubrey, Gabe Whittington, Kaleb Proctor, and Peyton Anderson. Special teams once again contributed in a big way. D’Khai Joseph electrified the crowd with a 63-yard punt return touchdown, totaling 117 yards on returns for the night. Brandon Hayes added 35 yards on a kick return, and Kyree Paul added another 30. Kicker Guillermo Garcia Rodriguez drilled a 43-yard field goal and was perfect on PATs, while Jack Hunter averaged 42 yards on his two punts, both pinning ETAMU deep. Lion Up LeBlanc’s Players of the Game Offense - Carson Camp: Carson Camp was 11/18 for 226 yards and 2 TDs. Camp was in full control of the offense leading the Lions to their most dominant offensive showing of the year. Defense - Jakyri Jones: Jakyri Jones had 9 total tackles (6 solo, 1.5 TFL, 1 BrUp) helping to hold ETAMU to only 291 total offensive yards! Jones is a consistent producer week after week. Special Teams - D’Khai Joseph: D'Khai Joseph had 117 punt return yards, including a 63-yard touchdown, his second Punt Return TD of the year. He averaged 29.2 yards per return. Looking Ahead The Lions now hit the road for a pivotal Southland showdown with the Lamar Cardinals (7-2, 4-1 SLC), a team looking to bounce back after a tough loss to UIW that drastically reduced their conference title chances. Lamar will be hungry for redemption, but for Southeastern, Coach Scelfo's mission remains clear: keep playing mistake free football, build consistency, and play like we have all year. In his Monday Morning press conference, the Head Coach indicated that this week is business as usual for the Lions and just one more game. This matchup begins a crucial two-game road stretch before returning home for the heated River Bell Classic against Nicholls. With confidence surging and all three phases firing, the Lions are looking to close strong and prove once again why they’re among the FCS elite. Stay tuned for my pre-game report on the Lamar matchup later this week! Where to find me? X: @LionUpLeBlanc You can also see me on the weekly Louisiana Gameday show, previewing all the College Football in Louisiana. Lion Up!

The Game The Southeastern Louisiana Lions return home to Strawberry Stadium this Thursday night for another great Southland Conference matchup against the East Texas A&M Lions. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. in Hammond, America. This week also marks Military Night, where all military members with identification receive free admission as the university honors those who serve. Southeastern enters the contest at 6-2 overall and 4-0 in Southland Conference play, ranked No. 16 in the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll and No. 21 in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25. The Lions are undefeated against FCS opponents this season and have outscored them by an average of 33.2 points per game, according to @LionUpFootball on X, tied with No. 1 North Dakota State for the best point differential in the FCS.  The Southeastern Lions are also 3-1 all time against East Texas A&M, winning the last two meetings. While Southeastern is in the middle of a title race with Lamar and Stephen F. Austin, this week’s opponent cannot be overlooked. The Lions of Commerce, Texas may have a 2-6 record, but their level of play has been far stronger than the numbers suggest.

Business Trip to Houston The Southeastern Lions stayed hot over the weekend, defeating the Houston Christian Huskies 38-14 on the road in Houston. With the win, the Lions improved to 6-2 overall and 4-0 in Southland Conference play, extending their winning streak and increasing their chances at sole ownership of the Southland Conference.