It seems like just yesterday the Southeastern Louisiana football team was about to take the field for the first time in 18 years. But this weekend marks the first of two home games to wrap up the historic season as the Lions host Jacksonville University Saturday at 4 p.m. in Strawberry Stadium.

In between this weekend and that historic first game, the squad has been through an up and down season. But come Saturday, the team will have a chance to conclude the season the way it started: with two home victories.

After opening the season with wins over Arkansas-Monticello (22-17) and Lambuth University (22-10), the Lions have been on a roller coaster in compiling a 3-7 record heading into the first of two remaining games of the season, both of which are at Strawberry Stadium. But that record is somewhat deceiving as three of the losses were by a combined 16 points including a three-point loss at Alcorn State last Saturday.

But the overall record aside, the Lions have been good at home with a 3-1 tally including a 68-10 over Webber International on Oct. 18 and, having the last two games in Strawberry Stadium, is a best-case scenario for Mumme and his young squad.

"It's been a long season and to have the last two games at home will certainly be a positive for us," remarked Mumme. "We've gotten great fan support this season and with this week's game already sold out, we'll certainly have a slight edge with the home field advantage."

But Jacksonville, which enters the game with a 4-5 record, should be solid challenge for the young Lions already with a win under its belt over a startup Division I-AA program, Coastal Carolina, 14-9 earlier in the year.

"Coach Steve Gilbert has done a great job building that program," explained Mumme. "Last year they won the Southern division of the Pioneer Football League. What they really do well is run the football, especially on the edge. Their running back (Emmett Hunter) is really good and ranks near the top of I-AA in attempts and yardage. Their quarterback is in his second year and is pretty seasoned. Their defense is not quite as experienced, so hopefully our young offense can take advantage of their young defense. They beat Coastal Carolina, another startup program, so they'll be expecting to beat us."

The Lions will host Prairie View in the final game of the season Nov. 15 and both remaining games will be tape-delayed broadcast on Cox Sports Television as well as on the radio (104.7FM/1400AM) and the internet (www.LionSports.net).