Lamar QBs: Minden sidelined, Earl to start

(STATS) - A broken throwing hand has sidelined Lamar University quarterback Joe Minden, leaving junior Carson Earp to start Saturday's Southland Conference game at No. 3 Sam Houston State.

Cardinals coach Ray Woodard said Minden will be out for four to six weeks and also said starting defensive end Manasseh Miles will miss the remainder of the season with ACL and MCL tears, according to the Beaumont Enterprise. Both players were injured in the team's 66-31 loss at Baylor last Saturday.

"You hate to lose any players to injury," Woodard said. "These are two very good football players who have come in and made an impact. We have to absorb this loss and get ready for Sam Houston State."

Minden started Lamar's season-opening win over Bacone College. Through two games, the senior is 24 of 31 for 267 yards and four touchdowns with one interception. He also rushed for a touchdown against Baylor.

This will be the second consecutive start for Earp, a 6-foot-4 transfer from Navarro College. He is 15 of 25 for 161 yards and two touchdowns, and has rushed for 75 yards on nine carries.

Miles, a junior, recorded five tackles with a sack and a fumble recovery in two games.

Saturday's matchup is the first conference game for both Lamar (1-1) and Sam Houston (0-1), which is coming off a bye. Sam Houston and Southeastern Louisiana were co-champions last year.