Battle of the Border (Lamar–McNeese)

American college sports rivalry

The Battle of the Border is the name of the athletics rivalry between the Cardinals and Lady Cardinals of Lamar University and Cowboys and Cowgirls of McNeese State University (athletically branded as "McNeese" since the 2015–16 school year).[1][2] Originally in football, the rivalry now covers all sports. In 2009, the rivalry was expanded to include "...head-to-head and SLC [Southland Conference] Championship competition in 14 different sports...". The competition is a joint agreement with the two universities and sponsor, Verizon Wireless[3]

## Background

[edit]

Both universities are public universities in their respective states. Lamar University, located in Beaumont, Texas, is part of the Texas State University System, and McNeese State University, located in Lake Charles, Louisiana, is part of the University of Louisiana System. Lamar and McNeese are about 60 miles apart, accessible via Interstate 10.

## Football

[edit]

Battle of the Border

Lamar Cardinals

McNeese Cowboys

Sport| Football
First meeting| November 10, 1951
McNeese State, 13–7
Latest meeting| November 23, 2024
Lamar, 26–24
Next meeting| November 22, 2025
Trophy| None
Statistics
Meetings total| 42
All-time series| McNeese leads, 28–13–1
Largest victory| McNeese State, 38–0 (1971)
Longest win streak| McNeese State, 6 (1983–1988)
Current win streak| Lamar, 2 (2023–present)

60km
37miles

McNeese

Lamar

Locations along Interstate 10.

After the 1989 season, Lamar shut down its football program, before resurrecting it for the 2010 season. The Lamar–McNeese rivalry resumed in 2010.

### Game results

[edit]

Lamar victories| McNeese victories| Tie games

|
|

| No.| Date| Location| Winner| Score

|
|
|
|

1|  November 10, 1951 |  Lake Charles, LA|  McNeese State | 13–7
2|  November 8, 1952 |  Beaumont, TX|  McNeese State | 42–7
3|  October 29, 1955 |  Lake Charles, LA|  McNeese State | 17–2
4|  October 27, 1956 |  Beaumont, TX|  Lamar | 18–14
5|  October 22, 1966 |  Beaumont, TX|  Lamar | 10–7
6|  October 21, 1967 |  Lake Charles, LA|  Lamar | 24–8
7|  September 21, 1968 |  Beaumont, TX|  McNeese State | 10–0
8|  September 20, 1969 |  Lake Charles, LA|  Lamar | 13–7
9|  October 10, 1970 |  Beaumont, TX|  McNeese State | 17–12
10|  October 9, 1971 |  Lake Charles, LA|  McNeese State | 38–0
11|  October 7, 1972 |  Beaumont, TX|  McNeese State | 17–7
12|  September 22, 1973 |  Lake Charles, LA|  McNeese State | 20–7
13|  November 16, 1974 |  Beaumont, TX|  Lamar | 17–3
14|  November 29, 1975 |  Lake Charles, LA|  McNeese State | 20–10
15|  November 13, 1976 |  Beaumont, TX|  McNeese State | 27–0
16|  November 12, 1977 |  Lake Charles, LA|  Lamar | 35–7
17|  November 11, 1978 |  Beaumont, TX|  McNeese State | 24–23
18|  October 13, 1979 |  Beaumont, TX|  McNeese State | 34–25
19|  November 15, 1980 |  Lake Charles, LA|  McNeese State | 35–3
20|  October 31, 1981 |  Beaumont, TX| Tie| 20–20
21|  November 13, 1982 |  Lake Charles, LA|  Lamar | 12–3
22|  November 19, 1983 |  Beaumont, TX|  McNeese State | 17–7
No.| Date| Location| Winner| Score

|
|
|
|

23|  November 17, 1984 |  Lake Charles, LA|  McNeese State | 34–14
24|  November 23, 1985 |  Beaumont, TX|  McNeese State | 28–7
25|  November 22, 1986 |  Lake Charles, LA|  McNeese State | 38–7
26|  November 21, 1987 |  Beaumont, TX|  McNeese State | 44–36
27|  November 19, 1988 |  Lake Charles, LA|  McNeese State | 18–17
28|  November 18, 1989 |  Beaumont, TX|  Lamar | 22–17
29|  September 4, 2010 |  Lake Charles, LA|  McNeese State | 30–27
30|  November 19, 2011 |  Beaumont, TX|  McNeese State | 45–17
31|  November 17, 2012 |  Lake Charles, LA|  McNeese State | 35–0
32|  November 23, 2013 |  Beaumont, TX|  McNeese State | 42–38
33|  November 22, 2014 |  Lake Charles, LA|  Lamar | 27–24
34|  November 21, 2015 |  Beaumont, TX|  McNeese State | 20–14
35|  November 19, 2016 |  Lake Charles, LA|  McNeese State | 41–10
36|  November 18, 2017 |  Beaumont, TX|  McNeese State | 13–3
37|  November 17, 2018 |  Lake Charles, LA|  Lamar | 21–17
38|  November 23, 2019 |  Beaumont, TX|  McNeese State | 27–3
39|  March 13, 2021 |  Lake Charles, LA|  Lamar | 27–26OT
40|  November 19, 2022 |  Lake Charles, LA|  McNeese | 24–20
41|  November 18, 2023 |  Beaumont, TX|  Lamar | 52–27
42|  November 23, 2024 |  Lake Charles, LA|  Lamar | 26–24
Series: McNeese leads 28–13–1

## Men's basketball

[edit]

As of the end of the 2022–23 season, Lamar has a 62–52[5] lead in men's basketball games against McNeese.[6][7][8][9]

## Women's basketball

[edit]

As of the end of the 2022–23 season, Lamar has a 52–48 series lead in women's basketball over McNeese.[10][11][12][13][14][15]

## Baseball

[edit]

As of the end of the 2023 season, Lamar has a 122–84–2 lead over McNeese.[16][17][18][19][20]

## Soccer

[edit]

As of the end of the 2023 season, Lamar has a 9–6–1 lead over McNeese. Each school sports 3 match winning streaks. McNeese won the first 3 matches.[21][22]

## Softball

[edit]

As of the end of the 2023 season, McNeese has a 37–7 lead over Lamar[23]

## See also

[edit]

* List of NCAA college football rivalry games

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "McNeese hosts Lamar in "Battle of the Border" game to close out 2012 season". mcneesesports.com. November 16, 2012. Archived from the original on December 24, 2013. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
2. ^ "McNeese State tops Lamar 35–0 in Southland finale". Sports Illustrated. November 17, 2012. Archived from the original on March 12, 2013. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
3. ^ "Verizon Wireless Announces Lamar-McNeese State Rivalry Series". Lamar University Athletics. January 14, 2009. Archived from the original on October 24, 2014. Retrieved October 24, 2014. "The series, made possible through a joint corporate partnership with Verizon Wireless, will feature a scoring system that awards points to each school based on the results of head-to-head and SLC Championship competition in 14 different sports."
4. ^ "Lamar vs McNeese St. (LA)". cfbdatawarehouse.com. Archived from the original on June 6, 2014. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
5. ^ "Men's Basketball History vs McNeese State University from Jan 16, 1952 – Jan 15, 2024". Retrieved January 30, 2024.
6. ^ Archived copy Archived December 23, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
7. ^ "Cardinals Fall to McNeese State – LAMARCARDINALS.COM – Lamar Cardinals Official Athletic Site". lamarcardinals.com. Archived from the original on December 23, 2014.
8. ^ "McNeese State". mcneesesports.com.
9. ^ "Cards Face Rivalry with McNeese". Lamar University Athletics. March 2, 2018. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
10. ^ "Women's Basketball History vs McNeese State University from Jan 21, 1970 – Jan 11, 2024". Retrieved January 30, 2024.
11. ^ Archived copy Archived December 23, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
12. ^ "Women's hoops stops McNeese State – LAMARCARDINALS.COM – Lamar Cardinals Official Athletic Site". lamarcardinals.com. Archived from the original on December 23, 2014.
13. ^ "McNeese State". mcneesesports.com.
14. ^ Pam LaFosse (February 26, 2015). "Women's Basketball Upends Lamar 98–77". mcneesestatesports.com. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
15. ^ "Lamar Basketball – 2017–18 Women's Basketball Game Notes" (PDF). Lamar University Athletics. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
16. ^ "Baseball All-Time Records Season Records Opponent Records". McNeese State University Athletics. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
17. ^ "Baseball ready for McNeese series – LAMARCARDINALS.COM – Lamar Cardinals Official Athletic Site". lamarcardinals.com. Archived from the original on December 23, 2014.
18. ^ "LAMARCARDINALS.COM – Lamar Cardinals Official Athletic Site – Baseball". lamarcardinals.com. Archived from the original on December 23, 2014.
19. ^ "2015 Baseball Cumulative Statistics". mcneesesports.com. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
20. ^ "2018 LAMAR BASEBALL GAME NOTES" (PDF). Lamar University Athletics. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
21. ^ "Women's Soccer History vs McNeese State University from Oct 14, 2007 – Nov 1, 2019". Lamar University Athletics. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
22. ^ "Women's Soccer History vs McNeese State University from Oct 14, 2007 – Nov 5, 2023". Lamar University Athletics. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
23. ^ Athletics, McNeese Cowgirls. 2024 Softball Record Book (PDF). McNeese State Athletic Department. p. 35. Retrieved January 30, 2024.

* v
* t
* e

All-sports or multi-sport rivalries in NCAA Division I

Trophy/point system
competitions|

* Arizona–Arizona State (Territorial Cup Series)
* Boston University–Holy Cross (Turnpike Trophy)
* Clemson–South Carolina (Palmetto Series)
* George Mason–George Washington (Revolutionary Rivalry)
* Georgia Southern–Georgia State (Modern Day Hate)
* Indiana–Purdue (Indiana National Guard Governor's Cup)
* Iowa–Iowa State (Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series)
* James Madison–Old Dominion (Royal Rivalry)
* New Mexico–New Mexico State (Rio Grande Rivalry)
* Oklahoma–Oklahoma State (Bedlam Series)
* Oregon–Oregon State (Civil War Series)
* Sacramento State–UC Davis (Causeway Classic)
* South Florida–UCF (War on I-4)
* Texas State–UTSA (I-35 Rivalry)
* UCLA–USC (SoCal BMW Crosstown Cup)
* Virginia–Virginia Tech (Commonwealth Clash)

Defunct trophy/
point competitions|

* Duke–North Carolina (Carlyle Cup)
* Kansas–Missouri (Border Showdown Series)
* Texas–Texas A&M (Lone Star Showdown)

Overall rivalries|

* BYU–Utah
* Canisius–Niagara (Battle of the Bridge)
* Cincinnati–Louisville
* Cincinnati–Memphis
* Cincinnati–Xavier
* Colorado State–Wyoming (Border War)
* Dartmouth–New Hampshire
* Duke–North Carolina
* Duke–North Carolina–NC State–Wake Forest (Tobacco Road)
* Florida–Kentucky
* Fordham–Manhattan (Battle of the Bronx)
* Fordham–St. John's
* George Mason–VCU
* Hofstra–Stony Brook (Battle of Long Island)
* Houston–Rice
* Houston–SMU
* Illinois–Indiana
* Illinois–Iowa
* Indiana–Kentucky
* Indiana–Purdue
* Iowa–Iowa State
* Kansas–Kansas State (Sunflower Showdown)
* Kansas–Missouri (Border War)
* Kentucky–Louisville
* Kentucky–Tennessee
* Lamar–McNeese (Battle of the Border)
* Louisville–Memphis
* North Carolina–NC State
* North Carolina–Wake Forest
* North Carolina A&T–North Carolina Central
* North Carolina A&T–Winston-Salem State
* NC State–Wake Forest
* Norfolk State–Old Dominion
* North Carolina A&T–UNC Greensboro (Battle of Market Street)
* Old Dominion–William & Mary
* Oregon–Oregon State
* Princeton–Rutgers
* Tennessee–Vanderbilt
* UCLA–USC
* UConn–UMass

* v
* t
* e

Southland Conference football rivalries

Conference|

* Battle of the Border (Lamar–McNeese)
* Chief Caddo (Northwestern State–Stephen F. Austin)
* McNeese–Northwestern State
* NSU Challenge (Nicholls–Northwestern State)
* River Bell Classic (Nicholls–Southeastern Louisiana)
* Northwestern State–Southeastern Louisiana

Non-conference|

* Red Beans and Rice Bowl (Central Arkansas–McNeese)
* Sabine Shoe (Lamar–Louisiana)
* Cajun Crown (Louisiana–McNeese)
* Cypress Mug (Louisiana–Southeastern Louisiana)
* Louisiana Tech–Northwestern State
* Louisiana–Monroe–Northwestern State
* Battle for the Paddle (Nicholls–Texas State)
* Battle of the Piney Woods (Sam Houston–Stephen F. Austin)

Links to related articles

* v
* t
* e

Lamar Cardinals basketball

Venues|

* McDonald Gym (1958–1981)
* Beaumont Civic Center (1981–1984)
* Montagne Center (1984–present)

Rivalries|

* McNeese State

Culture & lore|

* Big Red
* Cardinal
* "Cardinals Fight!"

People|

* Head coaches
* Statistical leaders

Seasons|

* List of seasons
* 1951–52
* 1952–53
* 1953–54
* 1954–55
* 1955–56
* 1956–57
* 1957–58
* 1958–59
* 1959–60
* 1960–61
* 1961–62
* 1962–63
* 1963–64
* 1964–65
* 1965–66
* 1966–67
* 1967–68
* 1968–69
* 1969–70
* 1970–71
* 1971–72
* 1972–73
* 1973–74
* 1974–75
* 1975–76
* 1976–77
* 1977–78
* 1978–79
* 1979–80
* 1980–81
* 1981–82
* 1982–83
* 1983–84
* 1984–85
* 1985–86
* 1986–87
* 1987–88
* 1988–89
* 1989–90
* 1990–91
* 1991–92
* 1992–93
* 1993–94
* 1994–95
* 1995–96
* 1996–97
* 1997–98
* 1998–99
* 1999–2000
* 2000–01
* 2001–02
* 2002–03
* 2003–04
* 2004–05
* 2005–06
* 2006–07
* 2007–08
* 2008–09
* 2009–10
* 2010–11
* 2011–12
* 2012–13
* 2013–14
* 2014–15
* 2015–16
* 2016–17
* 2017–18
* 2018–19
* 2019–20
* 2020–21
* 2021–22
* 2022–23
* 2023–24
* 2024–25

* v
* t
* e

Lamar Lady Cardinals basketball

Venues|

* McDonald Gym (1969–1981)
* Beaumont Civic Center (1981–1984)
* Montagne Center (1984–present)

Rivalries|

* McNeese State

Culture & lore|

* History
* Big Red
* Cardinal
* "Cardinals Fight!"

People|

* Head coaches

Seasons|

* 1969–70
* 1970–71
* 1971–72
* 1972–73
* 1973–74
* 1974–75
* 1975–76
* 1976–77
* 1977–78
* 1978–79
* 1979–80
* 1980–81
* 1981–82
* 1982–83
* 1983–84
* 1984–85
* 1985–86
* 1986–87
* 1987–88
* 1988–89
* 1989–90
* 1990–91
* 1991–92
* 1992–93
* 1993–94
* 1994–95
* 1995–96
* 1996–97
* 1997–98
* 1998–99
* 1999–2000
* 2000–01
* 2001–02
* 2002–03
* 2003–04
* 2004–05
* 2005–06
* 2006–07
* 2007–08
* 2008–09
* 2009–10
* 2010–11
* 2011–12
* 2012–13
* 2013–14
* 2014–15
* 2015–16
* 2016–17
* 2017–18
* 2018–19
* 2019–20
* 2020–21
* 2021–22
* 2022–23
* 2023–24

* v
* t
* e

Lamar Cardinals football

Venues|

* South Park High School "Greenie Stadium" (c. 1923–1963)
* Provost Umphrey Stadium (1964–present)

Bowls & rivalries|

* 1961 Tangerine Bowl
* 1964 Pecan Bowl
* Louisiana: Sabine Shoe
* McNeese: Battle of the Border

Culture & lore|

* Cardinal
* "Cardinals Fight!"
* The Showcase of Southeast Texas
* Big Red

People|

* Head coaches
* NFL draftees

Seasons|

* 1951
* 1952
* 1953
* 1954
* 1955
* 1956
* 1957
* 1958
* 1959
* 1960
* 1961
* 1962
* 1963
* 1964
* 1965
* 1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990–2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

* v
* t
* e

Lamar Cardinals baseball

Venues|

* Stuart Stadium (1952–1954)
* Price Daniel Field (1967–1968)
* Vincent–Beck Stadium (1969–present)

Rivalries|

* McNeese State

Seasons|

* 1952
* 1953
* 1954
* 1955–1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

* v
* t
* e

Lamar Lady Cardinals soccer

Venues|

* Cardinal Stadium (2007-2008)
* Lamar Soccer Complex (2009–present)

Rivalries|

* McNeese State

Seasons|

* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

* v
* t
* e

Lamar Lady Cardinals softball

Venues|

* Beaumont Athletic Complex (1971-1977)
* Ford Park (2013-2014)
* Lamar Softball Complex (2015– )

Culture & lore|

* History
* Big Red
* Cardinal
* "Cardinals Fight!"

Coaches|

* Patty Calvert (1983–1987)
* Holly Bruder (2013–2018)
* Amy Hooks (2019– )

AIAW era|

* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978–1981

NCAA era|

* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988–2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

Note: Years with no program.

* v
* t
* e

McNeese Cowboys basketball

Venues|

* Memorial Gymnasium (1945–1956)
* McNeese Arena (1956–1972)
* Lake Charles Civic Center (1972–1986)
* Burton Coliseum (1986–2018)
* The Legacy Center (2018–present)

Rivalries|

* Lamar

People|

* Head coaches
* Statistical leaders

Seasons|

* List of seasons
* 1945–46
* 1946–47
* 1947–48
* 1948–49
* 1949–50
* 1950–51
* 1951–52
* 1952–53
* 1953–54
* 1954–55
* 1955–56
* 1956–57
* 1957–58
* 1958–59
* 1959–60
* 1960–61
* 1961–62
* 1962–63
* 1963–64
* 1964–65
* 1965–66
* 1966–67
* 1967–68
* 1968–69
* 1969–70
* 1970–71
* 1971–72
* 1972–73
* 1973–74
* 1974–75
* 1975–76
* 1976–77
* 1977–78
* 1978–79
* 1979–80
* 1980–81
* 1981–82
* 1982–83
* 1983–84
* 1984–85
* 1985–86
* 1986–87
* 1987–88
* 1988–89
* 1989–90
* 1990–91
* 1991–92
* 1992–93
* 1993–94
* 1994–95
* 1995–96
* 1996–97
* 1997–98
* 1998–99
* 1999–2000
* 2000–01
* 2001–02
* 2002–03
* 2003–04
* 2004–05
* 2005–06
* 2006–07
* 2007–08
* 2008–09
* 2009–10
* 2010–11
* 2011–12
* 2012–13
* 2013–14
* 2014–15
* 2015–16
* 2016–17
* 2017–18
* 2018–19
* 2019–20
* 2020–21
* 2021–22
* 2022–23
* 2023–24
* 2024–25

NAIA national championship in bold

* v
* t
* e

McNeese Cowgirls basketball

Venues|

* Memorial Gymnasium (1975–1986)
* Burton Coliseum (1986–2018)
* The Legacy Center (2018–present)

Rivalries|

* Lamar

People|

* Head coaches

Seasons|

* 1975–76
* 1976–77
* 1977–78
* 1978–79
* 1979–80
* 1980–81
* 1981–82
* 1982–83
* 1983–84
* 1984–85
* 1985–86
* 1986–87
* 1987–88
* 1988–89
* 1989–90
* 1990–91
* 1991–92
* 1992–93
* 1993–94
* 1994–95
* 1995–96
* 1996–97
* 1997–98
* 1998–99
* 1999–2000
* 2000–01
* 2001–02
* 2002–03
* 2003–04
* 2004–05
* 2005–06
* 2006–07
* 2007–08
* 2008–09
* 2009–10
* 2010–11
* 2011–12
* 2012–13
* 2013–14
* 2014–15
* 2015–16
* 2016–17
* 2017–18
* 2018–19
* 2019–20
* 2020–21
* 2021–22
* 2022–23
* 2023–24
* 2024–25

* v
* t
* e

McNeese Cowboys football

Venues|

* Killen Field (1951–1953)
* Wildcat Stadium (1954–1964)
* Cowboy Stadium (1965–present)

Bowls & rivalries|

* Central Arkansas: Red Beans and Rice Bowl
* Lamar: Battle of the Border
* Louisiana: Cajun Crown
* Northwestern State

People|

* Head coaches
* NFL draftees

Seasons|

* 1940–1950 (junior college)
* 1951
* 1952
* 1953
* 1954
* 1955
* 1956
* 1957
* 1958
* 1959
* 1960
* 1961
* 1962
* 1963
* 1964
* 1965
* 1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

* v
* t
* e

McNeese Cowboys baseball

Venues|

* Unknown (1953–1964)
* Joe Miller Ballpark (1965– )

Rivalries|

* Lamar

People|

* Head coaches

Seasons|

* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

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