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Seniors Kade Harrington and Bret Treadway have been named to the 2016 STATS FCS Preseason All-America team announced FCS Senior Editor Craig Haley Monday morning. Harrington, a finalist for the 2015 FCS National Offensive Player of the Year award, is a first-team selection, while Treadway garnered third-team recognition.

“I’m very excited for both players,” said LU head coach Ray Woodard. “Bret has been a mainstay on our offensive line for so long. He had an outstanding junior year and I can see why he would be considered. He is a very consistent player who never has a bad game.

“From a running back standpoint, I think Kade felt like the line was always going to provide a crease for him to run through which gave him confidence in the line. Kade always runs hard and after he makes a big play the line wanted to block even harder for him. The two groups just fed off each other.”

Harrington returns for his final season in a Cardinals uniform coming off one of the best individual campaigns in the history of Division I football. He became just the seventh player in Division I history to rush for 2,000 yards in only 10 games, joining a group that includes Marcus Allen and Barry Sanders. Harrington finished off the season by setting a new Southland Conference single-season rushing record on his way to league player of the year and All-America honors.

Harrington finished the season with 266 carries for 2,092 yards and 21 touchdowns. He ended the regular season leading the nation in rushing yards per game (190.2 ypg), all-purpose yards (213.36 yp) and rushing touchdowns (21). He also finished second nationally in points per game (12.5) and third in yards per carry (7.86 ypc).

One of the key factors in Harrington’s success was Treadway, and the Cardinals offensive front. A three-year starter, Treadway has been an anchor on the offensive line. Due to Treadway’s leadership the offensive line was able to mesh together relatively quickly last season despite losing a returning starter to injury and incorporating two transfers.

By season’s end, the Cardinals not only produced the nation’s leading rusher but they also led the nation in pass protection. The Cardinals surrendered only five sacks on the season (fewer than 0.5 sacks per game). LU was one of only seven schools to allow fewer than 10 sacks last season, and was the only Southland school ranked among the nation’s top 25.

LU’s preseason All-American duo will look to lead the Cardinals through one of the nation’s toughest 2016 schedules. The Cardinals open the season Saturday, Sept. 3, against Coastal Carolina in the friendly confines of Provost Umphrey Stadium. The Chanticleers are making the transition to the FBS level, but spent the majority of the 2015 season ranked among the FCS top five. Big Red then hits the road to take on the University of Houston before returning home to open conference play against nationally ranked Sam Houston State.

Fans wishing to buy tickets for the 2016 football season can do so by going to www.LamarCardinals.com or by calling the LU Ticket Office at (409) 880-1715.