BEAUMONT — DeWan Thompson won’t mind if he doesn’t turn into Lamar’s top receiver, as long as the Cardinals win.
“I’m all about the W,” Thompson said. “If I get zero, if we get that W, that’s all I care about at the end of the day. I want that ring. I want a conference title.”
A sophomore transfer from Washington State, Thompson has only three catches for 55 yards, but his yardage leads the Cardinals. The Los Angeles native had two receptions to lead the team last Saturday at Houston.
It was the first time Thompson actually stepped on the field against an opponent from the Football Bowl Subdivision.
“What got me here was my high school coach [Angelo Gaston],” he said. “He had a connection with [offensive coordinator Chuck] Langston, so I transferred from Washington State. I left in the fall, so I didn’t practice in the spring. I went through that whole recruiting process again.”
The 5-foot-7, 172-pound Thompson heard Lamar needed receivers, so the kid from California’s Southland decided to make the journey to Texas’ Southland — as in the conference. He’s one of 10 Cardinals who have been on rosters at FBS teams.
“Having that experience in the Pac-12, I think I’ll definitely be good in the Southland Conference,” Thompson said. “I heard the Southland Conference is like the SEC in the FCS. So, I mean, I’m really excited.”
This Saturday, he could pull down a majority of his passes from junior Andrew Allen, who made a fair share of starts the past two seasons at New Mexico State. Coach Ray Woodard has not announced whether senior Carson Earp will remain the starter after two tough outings to begin the season, but he said both quarterbacks will be evaluated this week in practice.
“I’m pretty comfortable with both of them,” said Thompson, who accounted for Earp’s only completion in four attempts at Houston. “We work through the summer and all that type of stuff.”
Allen said he found a connection with Thompson from the first day they worked out together. Allen was cleared to officially join Lamar during the second day of preseason camp in August.
Thompson doesn’t think the Cardinals have to do much differently to change the fortunes of their passing game, which Woodard is calling on for more production although Earp and Allen have combined to complete 20 of 40 passes for 212 yards in two games. Neither has thrown for a touchdown, and Earp has tossed two interceptions.
“We just have to do our jobs the right way, play after play,” Thompson said. “ It’s not just me; it’s a lot of the receivers who can play a big role in this offense.”