2023 Mississippi State football summer opponent preview: Southeastern Louisiana

Jan 2, 2023; Tampa, FL, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Zach Arnett against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half in the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2023; Tampa, FL, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Zach Arnett against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half in the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
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Mississippi State football mascot Bully rides into Davis Wade Stadium
STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI – OCTOBER 08: A view of fans at the Davis Wade Stadium before the game between the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the Arkansas Razorbacks at Davis Wade Stadium on October 08, 2022 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)

Meet the Southeastern Louisiana Lions

If you’re not overly familiar with Southeastern Louisiana, that’s okay. Unfortunately, not everyone pays attention to all of college football and far too few people take the time to watch anything that’s happening at the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level of NCAA Division 1 football (it’s actually a lot of fun to watch.

So, if you’re not familair with the Lions, it’s not the end of the world. But let’s get you caught up real quick.

Southeastern Louisiana fast facts:

  • Town: Hammond, Louisiana
  • Home stadium: Strawberry Stadium (capacity: 7,408, which is a really interesting stadium capacity number, to be completely honest)
  • Mascot: Roomie the Lion
  • Student enrollment: 13,500
  • 2022 record: 9-4 (5-1 Southland)
  • Head coach: Frank Scelfo (6th season)

There’s actually a pretty long history of college football happening down in Hammond, Louisiana. The program got started up in 1930, but was ultimately shut down following the 1985 season. So, from 1986 to 2002, there was no football happening in Hammond.

In 2003, Hal Mumme helped get the program started back up and Southeastern Louisiana has been a pretty decent program at the FCS level. The Lions won the Southland Conference in 2013, 2014, and most recently in 2022.

They’re not a traditional powerhouse by any means, but it looks like Frank Scelfo has the Lions trending in the right direction. And that could be fun to watch (for those of us who enjoy niche football teams).