Scroll through the gallery to see pivotal moments of the Lamar Cardinals football team since its start.

Scroll through the gallery to see pivotal moments of the Lamar Cardinals football team since its start.

Photo: Jake Daniels, The Enterprise

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1923:

The school opened as South Park Junior College on Sept. 17, and the football team posted a 2-4-1 record under Pat Quinn.

1923:

The school opened as South Park Junior College on Sept. 17, and the football team posted a 2-4-1 record under Pat Quinn.

Photo: Guiseppe Barranco, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

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1932:

In 1926, the football program was dropped but in 1932, the program makes a return in its first season as Lamar, finishing the year 8-1. Pictured is the 1932 Lamar football team. Photo provided by Lamar University

In 1926, the football program was dropped but in 1932, the program makes a return in its first season as Lamar, finishing the year 8-1. Pictured is the 1932 Lamar football team. Photo provided by Lamar

1957: The Cardinals have their first winning season as a senior college, going 8-0-2 to share the Lone Star Conference championship with East Texas State. The team, coached by J.B. Higgins, was the only one to go undefeated in the school's football history. Pictured is Lamar football, 1949. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives

1957: The Cardinals have their first winning season as a senior college, going 8-0-2 to share the Lone Star Conference championship with East Texas State. The team, coached by J.B. Higgins, was the only one to

Lamar beats Middle Tennessee State 21-14 in the Tangerine Bowl, its first postseason appearance to finish the season 8-2-1. Photo by Tammy McKinley/The Enterprise

1961:

Lamar beats Middle Tennessee State 21-14 in the Tangerine Bowl, its first postseason appearance to finish the season 8-2-1. Photo by Tammy McKinley/The Enterprise

Photo: TAMMY MCKINLEY

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1964:

Cardinal Stadium, built at a cost of $1 million and with a seating capacity of 17,150, is dedicated on Sept. 19 as Lamar beats East Central Oklahoma 21-0. Photo by Guiseppe Barranco/The Enterprise

1964:

Cardinal Stadium, built at a cost of $1 million and with a seating capacity of 17,150, is dedicated on Sept. 19 as Lamar beats East Central Oklahoma 21-0. Photo by Guiseppe Barranco/The Enterprise

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1964:

Lamar joins the Southland Conference and wins the league championship. The Cardinals then lost to Northern Iowa 19-17 in the Pecan Bowl to post a 6-3-1 record. Photo by Dave Ryan/The Enterprise

1964:

Lamar joins the Southland Conference and wins the league championship. The Cardinals then lost to Northern Iowa 19-17 in the Pecan Bowl to post a 6-3-1 record. Photo by Dave Ryan/The Enterprise

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1981:

LU pulls off what is considered the school's biggest win, upsetting defencing SWC champion Baylor 19-17 in WAco on Mike Marlow's final second field goal. Photo by Valentino Mauricio/The Enterprise

1981:

LU pulls off what is considered the school's biggest win, upsetting defencing SWC champion Baylor 19-17 in WAco on Mike Marlow's final second field goal. Photo by Valentino Mauricio/The Enterprise

Photo: Valentino Mauricio

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1989:

Lamar rallies to beat McNeese 22-17 to finish the year 5-5, breaking a string of nine-straight losing seasons. Pictured, Lamar quarterback John Evans heads upfield during a game against McNeese state at Cardinal stadium in 1989. Enterprise file photo

Lamar rallies to beat McNeese 22-17 to finish the year 5-5, breaking a string of nine-straight losing seasons. Pictured, Lamar quarterback John Evans heads upfield during a game against McNeese state at

On May 19, Ray Woodward of Navarro College is hired as head coach. Photo by Jake Daniels/The Enterprise

2008:

On May 19, Ray Woodward of Navarro College is hired as head coach. Photo by Jake Daniels/The Enterprise

Photo: Jake Daniels

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2008:

In August, Lamar announces an anoonymous gift of $1 million for the installation of field turf in Cardinal Stadium and the naming of the field in honor of alumnus and former university administrator W.S. "Bud" Leonard. Then, on Nov. 10, Walter and Shelia Umphrey, in conjunction with the Provost Umphrey law firm, donate $4 million to stadium renovations and Lamar announces the renaming of the structure as Provost Umphrey Stadium. Photo by Randy Edwards/The Enterprise

In August, Lamar announces an anoonymous gift of $1 million for the installation of field turf in Cardinal Stadium and the naming of the field in honor of alumnus and former university administrator W.S.

Ray Woodard announces Lamar's first recruiting class since the 1989 season. June 1, demolition begins on Higgins Field House and stadium renovations begin. Pictured, is Woodard on Media Day in August 2015. Jake Daniels/The Enterprise

Ray Woodard announces Lamar's first recruiting class since the 1989 season. June 1, demolition begins on Higgins Field House and stadium renovations begin. Pictured, is Woodard on Media Day in August 2015.

On Sept. 4, Lamar opens its first season since 1989 against McNeese State in Lake Charles, La., coming up just short in a 30-27 loss. Quarterback Andre Bevil, pictured, threw for a school-record 429 passing yards and three touchdowns to lead the Cardinals to a near-upset of nationally-ranked McNeese State. Photo by Tammy McKinley/The Enterprise

2010: On Sept. 11, 2010, the Cardinals play their first home game since 1989, defeating Webber International 21-14 in front of 16,660 fans. Pictured, Cardinals head coach Ray Woodard watches his team from the sidelines in the first half against Webber International at Provost Umphrey Stadium on September 11, 2010. Photo by Valentino Mauricio/The Enterprise

2010: On Sept. 11, 2010, the Cardinals play their first home game since 1989, defeating Webber International 21-14 in front of 16,660 fans. Pictured, Cardinals head coach Ray Woodard watches his team from the

The Cardinals set more than 50 school records. Tammy McKinley/The Enterprise

2013:

The Cardinals set more than 50 school records. Tammy McKinley/The Enterprise

Photo: TAMMY MCKINLEY

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2014:

The Cardinals finish 8-4 for their first winning season under Woodard. Pictured, senior Caleb Berry passes the ball during the game between the Lamar Cardinals and the Incarnate Word Cardinals at Provost Umphrey Stadium in Beaumont, Nov. 15, 2014. Photo provided by Kyle Ezell

The Cardinals finish 8-4 for their first winning season under Woodard. Pictured, senior Caleb Berry passes the ball during the game between the Lamar Cardinals and the Incarnate Word Cardinals at Provost

Lamar football team, including Coach John Gray in the center of the back row, 1932. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives

Lamar football team, including Coach John Gray in the center of the back row, 1932. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives

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This is a copy of the official football program for the 1936 State Championship Junior College Game between Lamar and Kilgore. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives

This is a copy of the official football program for the 1936 State Championship Junior College Game between Lamar and Kilgore. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives

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Lamar College, 1936. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives

Lamar College, 1936. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives

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The Lamar College band, 1936. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives

The Lamar College band, 1936. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives

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Some players and coaches pose for publicity photos in the late 1940s. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives

Some players and coaches pose for publicity photos in the late 1940s. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives

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Some of the Lamar cheerleaders pose in 1949. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives

Some of the Lamar cheerleaders pose in 1949. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives

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The Lamar cheerleaders and drill team parade through downtown Beaumont in 1949. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives

The Lamar cheerleaders and drill team parade through downtown Beaumont in 1949. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives

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Players from the 1949 team pose for a photo. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives.

Players from the 1949 team pose for a photo. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives.

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Lamar football, 1949. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives

Lamar football, 1949. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives

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The 1949 Lamar football team photo. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives

The 1949 Lamar football team photo. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives

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Lamar football, 1949. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives

Lamar football, 1949. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives

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This is a copy of the official football program for the Lamar Tech versus North Texas game in 1951. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives

This is a copy of the official football program for the Lamar Tech versus North Texas game in 1951. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives

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The Lamar Tech cheerleaders pose in the early 1960s. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives

The Lamar Tech cheerleaders pose in the early 1960s. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives

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The Lamar Tech band performs during halftime at the Lamar Tech versus TSC game n Commerce, Texas on November 10, 1962. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives

The Lamar Tech band performs during halftime at the Lamar Tech versus TSC game n Commerce, Texas on November 10, 1962. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives

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The Lamar band before 1963. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives

The Lamar band before 1963. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives

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A drum major for the Lamar band shows off for the camera. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives

A drum major for the Lamar band shows off for the camera. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives

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The Lamar Tech cannon, 1964. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives

The Lamar Tech cannon, 1964. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives

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Cardinal noseguard Mike Kiger (82) expects to get a little help from his teammates Randall Byrd (93) and Louis Story (72) against the Baylor Bears Saturday night. Defensive coaches are a little worried about Kiger's size in battling the tough offensive line of Baylor University. September 1964, The Enterprise less

Cardinal noseguard Mike Kiger (82) expects to get a little help from his teammates Randall Byrd (93) and Louis Story (72) against the Baylor Bears Saturday night. Defensive coaches are a little worried about ... more

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Wingback Steve Bailey was Lamar Tech's leading ground-gainer last Saturday as the Cardinals defeated East Central Oklahoma 21 to 0. Bailey is expected to play a leading role as Lamar takes on Abilene Christian here tonight in the Southland Conference opener for both teams. September 1964, The Enterprise less

Wingback Steve Bailey was Lamar Tech's leading ground-gainer last Saturday as the Cardinals defeated East Central Oklahoma 21 to 0. Bailey is expected to play a leading role as Lamar takes on Abilene Christian ... more

Charles Reynolds (12), Abilene Christian quarterback, is shown recovering his own fumble close to the Lamar Tech goal in the third quarter at Cardinal Stadium Saturday night. The bobble cost the Wildcats a chance for a first down and a possible touchdown against the Cards. Lamar won the vital Southland Conference contest 14-2. September 1964, The Enterprise less

Charles Reynolds (12), Abilene Christian quarterback, is shown recovering his own fumble close to the Lamar Tech goal in the third quarter at Cardinal Stadium Saturday night. The bobble cost the Wildcats a ... more

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The Cardinal mascot rides in the 1967 homecoming parade. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives

The Cardinal mascot rides in the 1967 homecoming parade. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives

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Lamar homecoming, 1967. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives

Lamar homecoming, 1967. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives

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A copy of the 50th Anniversary of Lamar football program from 1973. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives

A copy of the 50th Anniversary of Lamar football program from 1973. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives

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Lamar football. September 1979, The Enterprise

Lamar football. September 1979, The Enterprise

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The front page of the sports section for the first game of Lamar's 1989 season. The Cards' football program began again in 2010. September 2, 1989, The Enterprise

The front page of the sports section for the first game of Lamar's 1989 season. The Cards' football program began again in 2010. September 2, 1989, The Enterprise

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Lamar football, 1989. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives

Lamar football, 1989. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives

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Lamar University football team, 1989. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives

Lamar University football team, 1989. Photo courtesy of the Lamar University archives

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A timeline of football at Lamar University

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Back to Gallery

Coming off a record 2014 season, the stakes are high for the Lamar Cardinals. After grueling summer practices and a new look, the team is ready to step on the field Saturday night at Provost Umphrey Stadium for their first game of the season against Bacone College.

The Cards didn't get to where they are overnight, though. With help from Lamar University, we take you back through the history of the football team, from its start in 1923 to the program's cancellation in 1989 and then its resurgence in 2010.

Scroll through the slideshow above to see everything else went on in between, as well as historic photos from the program's past.