2019 McNeese State Cowboys football team

2019 McNeese State Cowboys football
2019 McNeese State Cowboys football
Conference	Southland Conference
Record	7–5 (5–4 Southland)
Head coach	Sterlin Gilbert (1st season);
Offensive coordinator	Matt Mattox (1st season)
Defensive coordinator	Jim Gush (1st season)
Home stadium	Cowboy Stadium
	Seasons ← 2018 2020 →

2019 Southland Conference football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
No. 14 Nicholls +^	7	–	2	8	–	4
No. 11 Central Arkansas +^	7	–	2	9	–	3
No. 19 Southeastern Louisiana ^	6	–	3	8	–	5
Sam Houston State	6	–	3	7	–	5
McNeese State	5	–	4	7	–	5
Incarnate Word	4	–	5	5	–	7
Abilene Christian	4	–	5	5	–	7
Northwestern State	3	–	6	3	–	9
Stephen F. Austin	3	–	6	3	–	9
Houston Baptist	2	–	6	5	–	7
Lamar	2	–	7	4	–	8

+ – Conference co-champions ^ – FCS playoff participant Rankings from STATS poll

The 2019 McNeese State Cowboys football team represented McNeese State University as a member of the Southland Conference during the 2019 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Led by Sterlin Gilbert in his first and only season as head coach, the Cowboys compiled an overall record of 7–5 with a mark of 5–4 in conference play, placing fifth in the Southland. McNeese State played home games at Cowboy Stadium in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

On November 20, 2018, head coach Lance Guidry was fired.^[1] He finished at McNeese State with a three-year record of 21–12. On December 5, the school hired South Florida offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert as head coach.^[2]

Preseason

Preseason poll

The Southland Conference released their preseason poll on July 18, 2019. The Cowboys were picked to finish in sixth place.^[3]

Predicted finish	Team	Votes (1st place)
1	Nicholls	200 (20)
2	Central Arkansas	154
3	Incarnate Word	150 (1)
4	Sam Houston State	146
5	Lamar	123
6	McNeese State	114
7	Abilene Christian	112 (1)
8	Southeastern Louisiana	71
9	Stephen F. Austin	63
10	Northwestern State	56
11	Houston Baptist	21

Preseason All–Southland Teams

The Cowboys placed three players on the preseason all–Southland teams.^[4]

Offense

1st team

Grant Burguillos – OL

Defense

1st team

Chris Livings – DL

Colby Burton – DB

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 31	6:00 p.m.	Southern*	Cowboy Stadium Lake Charles, LA	CST/ESPN+	W 34–28	20,437
September 7	6:00 p.m.	at Oklahoma State*	Boone Pickens Stadium Stillwater, OK	ESPN+	L 14–56	55,509
September 14	6:00 p.m.	Alcorn State*	Cowboy Stadium Lake Charles, LA	COWBOYINSIDER	W 17–14	10,127
September 21	6:00 p.m.	at Abilene Christian	Wildcat Stadium Abilene, TX	ESPN+	L 10–17	9,624
September 28	6:00 p.m.	Sam Houston State	Cowboy Stadium Lake Charles, LA	ESPN+	L 17–28	9,107
October 5	4:00 p.m.	No. 19 Southeastern Louisiana	Cowboy Stadium Lake Charles, LA	CST/ESPN+	W 38–34	8,217
October 12	4:00 p.m.	No. 16 Central Arkansas	Estes Stadium Conway, AR (Red Beans and Rice Bowl)	ESPN+	L 31–40	11,237
October 19	4:00 p.m.	Houston Baptist	Cowboy Stadium Lake Charles, LA	COWBOYINSIDER	W 42–27	8,083
October 26	3:00 p.m.	at Stephen F. Austin	Homer Bryce Stadium Nacogdoches, TX	ESPN+	W 33–10	8,335
November 2	4:00 p.m.	Northwestern State	Cowboy Stadium Lake Charles, LA (rivalry)	CST/ESPN+	W 30–20	9,295
November 16	3:00 p.m.	at No. 24 Nicholls	Manning Field at John L. Guidry Stadium Thibodaux, LA	CST/ESPN+	L 20–34	8,958
November 23	3:00 p.m.	at Lamar	Provost Umphrey Stadium Beaumont, TX (Battle of the Border)	ESPN3	W 27–3	7,307
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game All times are in Central time

^[5]^[6]^[7]

Game summaries

Southern

Southern at McNeese State – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Jaguars	7	7	0	14	28
RV Cowboys	7	10	7	10	34

at Cowboy Stadium, Lake Charles, LA

Date: August 31
Game time: 6:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: 93 °F (34 °C); fair skies
Game attendance: 20,437
Referee: C. Watson
TV: CST
[1][2] [3]

Game information

First quarter

(06:11) MCNS TD – J'Cobi Skinner 1-yard rush, Noah Anderson kick
McNeese State 7–0; Drive: 6 plays, 29 yards, 1:41
(03:22) SOU TD – Timothy Bedford 33-yard pass from Ladarius Skelton, Martel Fontenot kick
Tied 7–7; Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 2:49

Second quarter

(14:52) SOU TD – Hunter Register 43-yard pass from Ladarius Skelton, Martel Fontenot kick
Southern 14–7; Drive: 4 plays, 79 yards, 1:06
(09:38) MCNS FG – Noah Anderson 37-yard field goal
Southern 14–10; Drive: 15 plays, 57 yards, 5:08
(01:49) MCNS TD – Trevor Begue 12-yard pass from Cody Orgeron, Noah Anderson kick
McNeese State 17–14; Drive: 3 plays, 13 yards, 3:51

Third quarter

(10:16) MCNS TD – Trevor Begue 24-yard pass from Cody Orgeron, Noah Anderson kick
McNeese State 24–14; Drive: 7 plays, 36 yards, 2:59

Fourth quarter

(10:38) MCNS FG – Noah Anderson 29-yard field goal
McNeese State 27–14; Drive: 8 plays, 50 yards, 3:31
(05:25) MCNS TD – Elijah Mack 3-yard rush, Noah Anderson kick
McNeese State 34–14; Drive: 11 plays, 76 yards, 4:13
(03:41) SOU TD – Hunter Register 17-yard pass from Glendon McDaniel, Martel Fontenot kick
McNeese State 34–21; Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:44
(00:32) SOU TD – Glendon McDaniel 1-yard rush, Martel Fontenot kick
McNeese State 34–28; Drive: 10 plays, 99 yards, 1:59

Top passers

MCNS - Cody Orgeron - 15/22, 147 yards, 2 TD
SOU - Glendon McDaniel - 11/19, 135 yards, TD

Top rushers

MCNS - Elijah Mack - 12 carries, 45 yards, TD
SOU - Devon Benn - 11 carries, 33 yards

Top receivers

MCNS - Cyron Sutton - 3 receptions, 51 yards
SOU - Hunter Register - 4 receptions, 82 yards, 2 TD

Statistics	Southern	McNeese State
First downs	29	18
Total yards	342	303
Rushing yards	103	154
Passing yards	239	149
Turnovers	5	0
Time of possession	26:35	33:25

At Oklahoma State

McNeese State at Oklahoma State – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
MCNS Cowboys	0	0	7	7	14
OSU Cowboys	14	14	28	0	56

at Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, OK

Date: September 7
Game time: 6:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: 95 °F (35 °C); sunny; SE 12 MPH
Game attendance: 55,509
Referee: Christian Watson
TV announcers (ESPN+): Dave LaMont (Play-By-Play) & Barrett Brooks (Analysts)
[4][5] [6]

Game information

First quarter

(15:00) OSU TD – A. J. Green 27-yard interception returned, Matt Ammendola kick
Oklahoma State 7–0; Drive: 2 plays, 1 yards, 0:45
(01:29) OSU TD – Tylan Wallace 69-yard pass from Spencer Sanders, Matt Ammendola kick
Oklahoma State 14–0; Drive: 2 plays, 73 yards, 0:30

Second quarter

(07:43) OSU TD – Chuba Hubbard 4-yard rush, Matt Ammendola kick
Oklahoma State 21–0; Drive: 15 plays, 91 yards, 4:13
(01:29) OSU TD – Tylan Wallace 4-yard pass from Spencer Sanders, Matt Ammendola kick
Oklahoma State 28–0; Drive: 11 plays, 91 yards, 3:30

Third quarter

(14:48) OSU TD – Tylan Wallace 75-yard pass from Spencer Sanders, Matt Ammendola kick
Oklahoma State 35–0; Drive: 1 play, 75 yards, 0:12
(11:15) MCNS TD – D'Andre Hicks 16-yard pass from Cody Orgeron, Noah Anderson kick
Oklahoma State 35–7; Drive: 7 plays, 82 yards, 3:33
(09:15) OSU TD – C. J. Moore 59-yard pass from Dru Brown, Matt Ammendola kick
Oklahoma State 42–7; Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:00
(06:52) OSU TD – Braydon Johnson 69-yard pass from Dru Brown, Matt Ammendola kick
Oklahoma State 49–7; Drive: 2 plays, 72 yards, 0:34
(06:04) OSU TD – Micah Cooper 1-yard rush, Matt Ammendola kick
Oklahoma State 56–7; Drive: 1 play, 1 yard, 0:03

Fourth quarter

(05:34) MCNS TD – Marcus Foster 32-yard fumble returned, Noah Anderson kick
Oklahoma State 56–14; Drive: 5 plays, 26 yards, 2:13

Top passers

OSU - Spencer Sanders - 12/18, 250 yards, 3 TD
MCNS - Cody Orgeron - 11/22, 151 yards, TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

OSU - Spencer Sanders - 12 carries, 51 yards
MCNS - Cody Orgeron - 16 carries, 89 yards

Top receivers

OSU - Tylan Wallace - 5 receptions, 180 yards, 3 TD
MCNS - D'Andre Hicks - 3 receptions, 69 yards, TD

Statistics	McNeese State	Oklahoma State
First downs	13	25
Total yards	318	580
Rushing yards	161	167
Passing yards	157	413
Turnovers	2	2
Time of possession	31:45	28:15

Alcorn State

Alcorn State at McNeese State – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Braves	0	0	0	14	14
Cowboys	7	10	0	0	17

at Cowboy Stadium, Lake Charles, LA

Date: September 14
Game time: 6:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: 95 °F (35 °C); fair skies
Game attendance: 10,127
Referee: Christian Watson
[7][8] [9]

Game information

First quarter

(06:27) MCNS TD – Cyron Sutton 19-yard pass from Cody Orgeron, Noah Anderson kick
McNeese State 7–0; Drive: 6 plays, 65 yards, 1:12

Second quarter

(13:42) MCNS TD – Trevor Begue 13-yard pass from Cody Orgeron, Noah Anderson kick
McNeese State 14–0; Drive: 3 plays, 25 yards, 0:50
(08:52) MCNS FG – Noah Anderson 37-yard field goal
McNeese State 17–0; Drive: 10 plays, 52 yards, 3:24

Fourth quarter

(06:27) ALCN TD – Chris Blair 13-yard pass from Felix Harper, Corey McCullough PAT failed
McNeese State 17–6; Drive: 1 plays, 25 yards, 0:06
(06:27) ALCN TD – Niko Duffey 14-yard pass from Felix Harper, Felix Harper two-point conversion pass to LeCharles Pringle
McNeese State 17–14; Drive: 10 plays, 57 yards, 1:01

Top passers

MCNS - Cody Orgeron - 19/29, 191 yards, 2 TD
ALCN - Felix Harper - 13/28, 132 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

MCNS - J'Cobi Skinner - 14 carries, 52 yards
ALCN - De'Shawn Waller - 18 carries, 77 yards

Top receivers

MCNS - Trevor Begue - 8 receptions, 94 yards, TD
ALCN - Niko Duffey - 5 receptions, 54 yards, TD

Statistics	Alcorn State	McNeese State
First downs	22	14
Total yards	318	324
Rushing yards	154	133
Passing yards	164	191
Turnovers	3	2
Time of possession	32:05	27:55

At Abilene Christian

McNeese State at Abilene Christian – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Cowboys	3	0	0	7	10
Wildcats	3	7	0	7	17

at Anthony Field at Wildcat Stadium, Abilene, TX

Date: September 21
Game time: 6:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: 91 °F (33 °C); mostly cloudy
Game attendance: 9,624
Referee: Cal McNeill
TV: ESPN+
[10][11] [12]

Game information

First quarter

(04:50) ACU FG – Blair Zepeda 25-yard field goal
Abilene Christian 3–0; Drive: 9 plays, 50 yards, 3:51
(00:16) MCNS FG – Noah Anderson 23-yard field goal
Tied 3–3; Drive: 13 plays, 70 yards, 4:34

Second quarter

(07:33) ACU TD – Tracy James 59-yard pass from Luke Anthony, Blair Zepeda kick
Abilene Christian 10–3; Drive: 8 plays, 90 yards, 3:13

Fourth quarter

(01:53) MCNS TD – Cyron Sutton 28-yard pass from Cody Orgeron, Noah Anderson kick
Tied 10–10; Drive: 9 plays, 62 yards, 2:38
(00:13) ACU TD – Tracy James 1-yard rush, Blair Zepeda kick
Abilene Christian 17–10; Drive: 8 plays, 37 yards, 0:40

Top passers

ACU - Luke Anthony - 26/44, 313 yards, TD
MCNS - Cody Orgeron - 17/33, 189 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

ACU - Tracy James - 15 carries, 36 yards, TD
MCNS - Elijah Mack - 18 carries, 125 yards

Top receivers

ACU - Josh Fink - 9 receptions, 123 yards
MCNS - Cyron Sutton - 5 receptions, 101 yards, TD

Statistics	McNeese State	Abilene Christian
First downs	18	16
Total yards	383	415
Rushing yards	194	85
Passing yards	189	330
Turnovers	3	0
Time of possession	30:12	29:48

Sam Houston State

Sam Houston State at McNeese State – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bearkats	0	9	6	13	28
Cowboys	7	7	3	0	17

at Cowboy Stadium, Lake Charles, LA

Date: September 28
Game time: 6:00 p.m. CST
Game attendance: 9,107
Referee: Brandon Cruse
TV: ESPN+
[13][14] [15]

Game information

First quarter

(03:07) MCNS TD – Cyron Sutton 67-yard pass from Cody Orgeron, Bailey Raborn kick
McNeese State 7–0; Drive: 2 plays, 67 yards, 0:17

Second quarter

(12:00) SHSU TD – Nathan Stewart 21-yard pass from Ty Brock, Connor Crow kick
Tied 7–7; Drive: 6 plays, 84 yards, 2:14
(07:43) MCNS TD – Draysean Hudson 27-yard pass from Cody Orgeron, Bailey Raborn kick
McNeese State 14–7; Drive: 6 plays, 69 yards, 1:33
(04:17) SHSU SF – Team Safety
McNeese State 14–9; Drive: 6 plays, 74 yards, 2:33

Third quarter

(08:45) SHSU TD – Noah Smith 61-yard pass from Ty Brock, two-point conversion pass failed
Sam Houston State 15–14; Drive: 5 plays, 89 yards, 2:27
(03:47) MCNS FG – Bailey Raborn 43-yard field goal
McNeese State 17–15; Drive: 10 plays, 35 yards, 2:17

Fourth quarter

(11:13) SHSU TD – Chandler Harvin 12-yard pass from Ty Brock, two-point conversion pass failed
Sam Houston State 21–17; Drive: 18 plays, 73 yards, 7:27
(09:38) SHSU TD – Kyran Jackson 5-yard rush, Connor Crow kick
Sam Houston State 28–17; Drive: 3 plays, 43 yards, 0:59

Top passers

SHSU - Ty Brock - 14/29, 262 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
MCNS - Cody Orgeron - 18/40, 280 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

SHSU - Kyran Jackson - 20 carries, 111 yards, TD
MCNS - Cody Orgeron - 12 carries, 17 yards

Top receivers

SHSU - Nathan Stewart - 6 receptions, 157 yards, TD
MCNS - Cyron Sutton - 10 receptions, 160 yards, TD

Statistics	Sam Houston State	McNeese State
First downs	18	14
Total yards	416	318
Rushing yards	89	38
Passing yards	327	280
Turnovers	3	2
Time of possession	37:36	22:24

Southeastern Louisiana

Southeastern Louisiana at McNeese State – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 19 Lions	3	14	3	14	34
Cowboys	10	14	0	14	38

at Cowboy Stadium, Lake Charles, LA

Date: October 5
Game time: 4:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: 92 °F (33 °C); sunny & humid
Game attendance: 8,217
Referee: Kevin Hassell
TV: CST
[16] [17] [18]

Game information

First quarter

(09:48) MCNS TD – Davion Curtis 20-yard pass from Cody Orgeron, Bailey Raborn kick
McNeese State 7–0; Drive: 7 plays, 36 yards, 2:30
(04:45) MCNS FG – Bailey Raborn 21-yard field goal
McNeese State 10–0; Drive: 10 plays, 36 yards, 3:37
(00:07) SELA FG – Bryce Broussard 20-yard field goal
McNeese State 10–3; Drive: 10 plays, 72 yards, 4:38

Second quarter

(13:30) MCNS TD – Cyron Sutton 58-yard pass from Cody Orgeron, Bailey Raborn kick
McNeese State 17–3; Drive: 6 plays, 83 yards, 1:33
(05:35) MCNS TD – Elijah Mack 2-yard rush, Bailey Raborn kick
McNeese State 24–3; Drive: 7 plays, 57 yards, 3:48
(02:42) SELA TD – CJ Turner 10-yard pass from Chason Virgil, Bryce Broussard kick
McNeese State 24–10; Drive: 7 plays, 62 yards, 2:48
(00:23) SELA TD – Lorenzo Nunez 31-yard pass from Cole Kelley, Bryce Broussard kick
McNeese State 24–17; Drive: 13 plays, 94 yards, 1:37

Third quarter

(01:09) SELA FG – Bryce Broussard 21-yard field goal
McNeese State 24–20; Drive: 10 plays, 77 yards, 4:06

Fourth quarter

(13:02) SELA TD – Lorenzo Nunez 60-yard pass from Chason Virgil, Bryce Broussard kick
Southeastern Louisiana 27–24; Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 1:46
(09:56) MCNS TD – Elijah Mack 1-yard rush, Bailey Raborn kick
McNeese State 31–27; Drive: 8 plays, 77 yards, 3:00
(07:06) SELA TD – Bransen Schwebel 2-yard pass from Cole Kelley, Bryce Broussard kick
Southeastern Louisiana 34–31; Drive: 6 plays, 65 yards, 2:50
(02:21) MCNS TD – Trevor Begue 33-yard pass from Cody Orgeron, Bailey Raborn kick
McNeese State 38–34; Drive: 9 plays, 89 yards, 2:35

Top passers

MCNS – Cody Orgeron – 12/29, 248 yards, 3 TD
SELA – Chason Virgil – 27/49, 321 yards, 2 TD, INT

Top rushers

MCNS – Elijah Mack – 28 carries, 142 yards, 2 TD
SELA – Austin Mitchell – carry, 36 yards

Top receivers

MCNS – Cyron Sutton – 4 receptions, 82 yards, TD
SELA – Bransen Schwebel – 8 receptions, 94 yards, TD

Statistics	Southeastern Louisiana	McNeese State
First downs	19	23
Total yards	452	473
Rushing yards	86	225
Passing yards	366	248
Turnovers	2	0
Time of possession	28:57	31:03

At Central Arkansas

McNeese State at Central Arkansas – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Cowboys	10	14	0	7	31
No. 16 Bears	10	10	14	6	40

at Estes Stadium, Conway, AR

Date: October 12
Game time: 4:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: 62 °F (17 °C); sunny
Game attendance: 11,237
Referee: Michael Vanderv
TV: ESPN+
[19] [20] [21]

Game information

First quarter

(14:26) MCNS TD – Cyron Sutton 31-yard pass from Cody Orgeron, Bailey Raborn kick
McNeese State 7–0; Drive: 2 plays, 34 yards, 0:23
(09:10) UCA FG – Hayden Ray 34-yard field goal
McNeese State 7–3; Drive: 12 plays, 59 yards, 5:16
(06:30) MCNS FG – Bailey Raborn 25-yard field goal
McNeese State 10–3; Drive: 7 plays, 58 yards, 2:40
(05:01) UCA TD – Carlos Blackman 17-yard pass from Breylin Smith, Hayden Ray kick
Tied 10–10; Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 1:29

Second quarter

(11:49) MCNS TD – Cyron Sutton 5-yard pass from Cody Orgeron, Bailey Raborn kick
McNeese State 17–10; Drive: 9 plays, 66 yards, 3:26
(05:50) UCA FG – Hayden Ray 39-yard field goal
McNeese State 17–13; Drive: 11 plays, 52 yards, 4:45
(01:56) UCA TD – Joe Hampton 38-yard pass from Breylin Smith, Hayden Ray kick
Central Arkansas 20–17; Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 1:54
(00:25) MCNS TD – Trevor Begue 32-yard pass from Cody Orgeron, Bailey Raborn kick
McNeese State 24–20; Drive: 9 plays, 65 yards, 1:31

Third quarter

(07:56) UCA TD – Tyler Hudson 78-yard pass from Breylin Smith, Hayden Ray kick
Central Arkansas 27–24; Drive: 1 play, 78 yards, 0:12
(02:26) UCA TD – Tyler Hudson 19-yard pass from Luke Hales, Hayden Ray kick
Central Arkansas 34–24; Drive: 3 plays, 7 yards, 1:16

Fourth quarter

(12:10) MCNS TD – Louis Conerly 4-yard pass from Cody Orgeron, Bailey Raborn kick
Central Arkansas 34–31; Drive: 14 plays, 75 yards, 5:36
(07:41) UCA FG – Hayden Ray 25-yard field goal
Central Arkansas 37–31; Drive: 9 plays, 68 yards, 4:36
(06:42) UCA FG – Hayden Ray 39-yard field goal
Central Arkansas 40–31; Drive: 4 plays, 0 yards, 0:52

Top passers

UCA – Breylin Smith – 28/41, 369 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
MCNS – Cody Orgeron – 26/41, 344 yards, 4 TD, INT

Top rushers

UCA – Carlos Blackman – 15 carries, 64 yards
MCNS – Elijah Mack – 20 carries, 70 yards

Top receivers

UCA – Tyler Hudson – 4 receptions, 113 yards, 2 TD
MCNS – Cyron Sutton – 13 receptions, 156 yards, 2 TD

Statistics	McNeese State	Central Arkansas
First downs	19	23
Total yards	452	473
Rushing yards	86	225
Passing yards	366	248
Turnovers	2	0
Time of possession	28:57	31:03

Houston Baptist

Houston Baptist at McNeese State – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Huskies	7	13	0	7	27
Cowboys	14	14	7	7	42

at Cowboy Stadium, Lake Charles, LA

Date: October 19
Game time: 4:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: 85 °F (29 °C); partly cloudy
Game attendance: 8,083
Referee: Ed Bourgeois
TV: ESPN+
[22] [23] [24]

Game information

First quarter

(10:39) MCNS TD – Elijah Mack 1-yard rush, Bailey Raborn kick
McNeese State 7–0; Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 4:21
(05:44) MCNS TD – Trevor Begue 31-yard pass from Cody Orgeron, Bailey Raborn kick
McNeese State 14–0; Drive: 8 plays, 79 yards, 3:53
(02:37) HBU TD – Trevor Larkin 5-yard pass from Bailey Zappe, Gino Garcia kick
McNeese State 14–7; Drive: 9 plays, 71 yards, 2:59

Second quarter

(14:48) MCNS TD – Cyron Sutton 68-yard pass from Cody Orgeron, Bailey Raborn kick
McNeese State 21–7; Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:49
(11:04) HBU TD – Ean Beek 15-yard pass from Bailey Zappe, Gino Garcia kick
McNeese State 21–14; Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 3:44
(06:03) MCNS TD – Jovon Burriss 11-yard fumble returned, Bailey Raborn kick
McNeese State 28–14; Drive: 3 plays, -9 yards, 1:10
(00:13) HBU TD – Jaylon Johnson 13-yard pass from Bailey Zappe, Gino Garcia PAT failed
McNeese State 28–20; Drive: 13 plays, 80 yards, 2:37

Third quarter

(01:59) MCNS TD – Justin Pratt 13-yard rush, Bailey Raborn kick
McNeese State 35–20; Drive: 8 plays, 66 yards, 2:45

Fourth quarter

(02:56) MCNS TD – Cody Orgeron 69-yard rush, Bailey Raborn kick
McNeese State 42–20; Drive: 6 plays, 90 yards, 1:36
(02:11) HBU TD – Ben Ratzlaff 2-yard pass from Bailey Zappe, Gino Garcia kick
McNeese State 42–27; Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 0:45

Top passers

MCNS – Cody Orgeron – 24/31, 303 yards, 2 TD, INT
HBU – Bailey Zappe – 32/52, 317 yards, 4 TD, INT

Top rushers

MCNS – Justin Pratt – 11 carries, 100 yards, TD
HBU – Ean Beek – 13 carries, 52 yards

Top receivers

MCNS – Trevor Begue – 9 receptions, 121 yards, TD
HBU – Jaylon Johnson – 4 receptions, 90 yards, TD

Statistics	Houston Baptist	McNeese State
First downs	24	30
Total yards	347	567
Rushing yards	30	264
Passing yards	317	303
Turnovers	2	1
Time of possession	25:08	34:52

At Stephen F. Austin

McNeese State at Stephen F. Austin – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Cowboys	3	7	3	20	33
Lumberjacks	7	0	3	0	10

at Homer Bryce Stadium, Nacogdoches, TX

Date: October 26
Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST
Game attendance: 8,335
Referee: Christian Watso
TV: ESPN+
[25] [26] [27]

Game information

First quarter

(10:34) SFA TD – Josh McGowen 8-yard pass from Trae Self, Storm Ruiz kick
Stephen F. Austin 7–0; Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 4:26
(02:16) MCNS FG – Bailey Raborn 21-yard field goal
Stephen F. Austin 7–3; Drive: 10 plays, 66 yards, 4:26

Second quarter

(04:56) MCNS TD – Cyron Sutton 3-yard pass from Cody Orgeron, Bailey Raborn kick
McNeese State 10–7; Drive: 9 plays, 38 yards, 2:40

Third quarter

(06:13) MCNS FG – Bailey Raborn 39-yard field goal
McNeese State 13–7; Drive: 10 plays, 47 yards, 4:20
(00:18) SFA FG – Storm Ruiz 40-yard field goal
McNeese State 13–10; Drive: 12 plays, 42 yards, 4:13

Fourth quarter

(11:57) MCNS TD – Cody Orgeron 30-yard rush, Bailey Raborn kick
McNeese State 20–10; Drive: 10 plays, 65 yards, 3:21
(08:10) MCNS TD – Cyron Sutton 63-yard pass from Cody Orgeron, Bailey Raborn PAT failed
McNeese State 26–10; Drive: 7 plays, 55 yards, 2:32
(02:16) MCNS TD – Justin Pratt 21-yard rush, Bailey Raborn kick
McNeese State 33–10; Drive: 9 plays, 73 yards, 3:55

Top passers

MCNS – Cody Orgeron – 12/25, 162 yards, 2 TD
SFA – Trae Self – 21/41, 175 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

MCNS – Justin Pratt – 21 carries, 133 yards, TD
SFA – Josh McGowen – 12 carries, 46 yards

Top receivers

MCNS – Cyron Sutton – 5 receptions, 55 yards, 2 TD
SFA – Xavier Gipson – 6 receptions, 72 yards

Statistics	McNeese State	Stephen F. Austin
First downs	21	17
Total yards	408	254
Rushing yards	246	79
Passing yards	162	175
Turnovers	0	1
Time of possession	32:08	27:52

Northwestern State

Northwestern State at McNeese State – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Demons	10	7	3	0	20
Cowboys	6	3	8	13	30

at Cowboy Stadium, Lake Charles, LA

Date: November 2
Game time: 4:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: 62 °F (17 °C); fair & cool
Game attendance: 9,295
Referee: Mike Defee
TV: CST/ESPN+
[28] [29] [30]

Game information

First quarter

(11:22) NSU TD – Justin West 9-yard rush, Daniel Justino kick
Northwestern State 7–0; Drive: 8 plays, 53 yards, 2:41
(11:09) MCNS TD – D'Andre Hicks 96-yard kickoff returned, Bailey Raborn PAT blocked
Northwestern State 7–6; Drive: 0 plays, 0 yards, 0:00
(03:07) NSU FG – Daniel Justino 37-yard field goal
Northwestern State 10–6; Drive: 10 plays, 51 yards, 4:05

Second quarter

(14:14) MCNS FG – Bailey Raborn 23-yard field goal
Northwestern State 10–9; Drive: 7 plays, 24 yards, 2:46
(10:27) NSU TD – Quan Shorts 22-yard pass from Shelton Eppler, Daniel Justino kick
Northwestern State 17–9; Drive: 2 plays, 22 yards, 0:12

Third quarter

(10:34) NSU FG – Daniel Justino 21-yard field goal
Northwestern State 20–9; Drive: 11 plays, 71 yards, 4:26
(02:45) MCNS TD – Trevor Begue 27-yard pass from Cody Orgeron, Cody Orgeron two-point conversion pass to J'Uan Gross
Northwestern State 20–17; Drive: 4 plays, 54 yards, 1:21

Fourth quarter

(14:57) MCNS TD – Trevor Begue 3-yard pass from Cody Orgeron, Bailey Raborn kick
McNeese State 24–20; Drive: 6 plays, 17 yards, 2:41
(08:14) MCNS FG – Bailey Raborn 20-yard field goal
McNeese State 27–20; Drive: 9 plays, 56 yards, 4:52
(01:06) MCNS FG – Bailey Raborn 29-yard field goal
McNeese State 30–20; Drive: 4 plays, 5 yards, 0:58

Top passers

MCNS – Cody Orgeron – 16/18, 191 yards, 2 TD
NSU – Shelton Eppler – 28/53, 294 yards, TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

MCNS – Justin Pratt – 29 carries, 87 yards
NSU – Jared West – 8 carries, 31 yards, TD

Top receivers

MCNS – Cyron Sutton – 7 receptions, 71 yards
NSU – Akile Davis – 4 receptions, 73 yards

Statistics	Northwestern State	McNeese State
First downs	18	14
Total yards	314	308
Rushing yards	20	117
Passing yards	294	191
Turnovers	3	2
Time of possession	27:19	32:41

At Nicholls

McNeese State at Nicholls – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Cowboys	7	0	7	6	20
No. 24 Colonels	10	17	0	7	34

at Manning Field at John L. Guidry Stadium, Thibodaux, LA

Date: November 16
Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: 63 °F (17 °C); clear
Game attendance: 8,958
Referee: Mike Vandervelde
TV: CST
[31] [32] [33]

Game information

First quarter

(11:57) NICH FG – Gavin Lasseigne 25-yard field goal
Nicholls 3–0; Drive: 7 plays, 67 yards, 3:03
(07:39) NICH TD – Dion Ray 55-yard pass from Chase Fourcade, Gavin Lasseigne kick
Nicholls 10–0; Drive: 6 plays, 81 yards, 2:21
(07:25) MCNS TD – Mason Pierce 95-yard kickoff returned, Bailey Raborn kick
Nicholls 10–7; Drive: 0 plays, 0 yards, 0:00

Second quarter

(14:08) NICH TD – Jordan Talley 14-yard pass from Chase Fourcade, Gavin Lasseigne kick
Nicholls 17–7; Drive: 4 plays, 57 yards, 1:23
(10:29) NICH TD – Dai'Jean Dixon 55-yard pass from Chase Fourcade, Gavin Lasseigne kick
Nicholls 24–7; Drive: 2 plays, 55 yards, 0:13
(00:04) NICH FG – Gavin Lasseigne 26-yard field goal
Nicholls 27–7; Drive: 10 plays, 71 yards, 2:11

Third quarter

(06:25) MCNS TD – Trevor Begue 5-yard pass from Cody Orgeron, Bailey Raborn kick
Nicholls 27–14; Drive: 5 plays, 28 yards, 1:43

Fourth quarter

(05:45) NICH TD – Julien Gums 2-yard rush, Gavin Lasseigne kick
Nicholls 34–14; Drive: 11 plays, 88 yards, 6:27
(03:09) MCNS TD – Draysean Hudson 4-yard pass from Cody Orgeron, Bailey Raborn PAT blocked
Nicholls 34–20; Drive: 11 plays, 91 yards, 2:31

Top passers

NICH – Chase Fourcade – 21/35, 374 yards, 3 TD, INT
MCNS – Cody Orgeron – 18/36, 184 yards, 2 TD

Top rushers

NICH – Julien Gums – 17 carries, 56 yards, TD
MCNS – Justin Pratt – 10 carries, 24 yards

Top receivers

NICH – Dai'Jean Dixon – 7 receptions, 185 yards, TD
MCNS – Trevor Begue – 6 receptions, 67 yard, TD

Statistics	McNeese State	Nicholls
First downs	14	24
Total yards	236	519
Rushing yards	52	145
Passing yards	184	374
Turnovers	1	2
Time of possession	27:12	32:48

At Lamar

McNeese State at Lamar – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Cowboys	7	0	0	20	27
Cardinals	0	0	0	3	3

at Provost Umphrey Stadium, Beaumont, TX

Date: November 23
Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: 62 °F (17 °C); clear skies
Game attendance: 7,307
Referee: Dan Lewis
TV: ESPN3
[34] [35] [36]

Game information

First quarter

(13:03) MCNS TD – Trevor Begue 54-yard TD pass from Cody Orgeron, Bailey Raborn kick
McNeese State 7–0; Drive: 3 plays, 66 yards, 0:39

Fourth quarter

(14:09) LAMR FG – Bailey Griffen 39-yard field goal
McNeese State 7–3; Drive: 11 plays, 58 yards, 4:55
(12:15) MCNS TD – JCody Orgeron 41-yard rush, Bailey Raborn kick
McNeese State 14–3; Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 1:54
(09:26) MCNS TD – Justin Pratt 1-yard rush, Bailey Raborn PAT failed
McNeese State 20–3; Drive: 5 plays, 49 yards, 2:14
(05:14) MCNS TD – Justin Pratt 1-yard rush, Bailey Raborn kick
McNeese State 27–3; Drive: 6 plays, 53 yards, 2:11

Top passers

MCNS – Cody Orgeron – 14/22, 238 yards, TD, 2 INT
LAMR – Shane Johnson – 6/16, 110 yards

Top rushers

MCNS – Justin Pratt – 27 carries, 206 yards, 2 TD
LAMR – Chaz Ward – 15 carries, 33 yards

Top receivers

MCNS – Trevor Begue – 5 receptions, 105 yards, TD
LAMR – Kenny Allen – reception, 45 yards

Statistics	McNeese State	Lamar
First downs	19	11
Total yards	518	210
Rushing yards	280	96
Passing yards	238	114
Turnovers	2	1
Time of possession	30:34	29:26

Ranking movements

Ranking movements
**Legend:** RV = Received votes
	Week
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	Final
STATS FCS	RV
Coaches	RV

Roster

2019 McNeese State Cowboys football team roster

Players

Coaches

Offense

Pos.	#	Name	Class
WR	`1`	Cyron Sutton	Jr
QB	`2`	Cade Bartlett	Fr
WR	`3`	Davion Curtis	Jr
RB	`4`	Elijah Mack	Jr
WR	`5`	Rashid Bonnette	Sr
QB	`8`	Cody Orgeron	Jr
QB	`10`	Matt Keller	Jr
QB	`12`	Matt Gardner	So
WR	`13`	Nate Briscoe	So
WR	`14`	Draysean Hudson	Jr
WR	`15`	Zach Hayes	Fr
WR	`19`	Tyler Washington	Fr
WR	`20`	Justin Pratt	Sr
RB	`22`	D'Andre Hicks	So
RB	`33`	J'Uan Gross	So
RB	`34`	J'Cobi Skinner	So
TE	`36`	Dontay Hargrove	Jr
RB	`37`	Carlos Williams	Fr
TE	`40`	Dominic Prudhomme	Fr
TE	`44`	Jacob Logan	Jr
RB	`47`	McCaylon Thibeaux	Fr
OL	`53`	Kyle Herridge	So
OL	`55`	Cutter Leftwich	So
OL	`57`	Aaron McDaniel	Fr
OL	`58`	Tanner Pugh	So
OL	`61`	Collin Fountain	Jr
OL	`62`	Joe Latronico	Jr
OL	`63`	Charley Zeno	Fr
OL	`64`	Jack Zelezinski	Fr
OL	`66`	Juwan Felix	Fr
OL	`68`	Caleb Gary	Jr
OL	`70`	Grant Burguillos	Sr
OL	`71`	Jamarius Bolding	Jr
OL	`72`	Tre Newton	Sr
OL	`73`	Calvin Barkat	So
OL	`74`	Blaise Scriber	Sr
OL	`75`	Zach Jones	Sr
OL	`77`	DeMarcus Thomas	Fr
OL	`78`	Hayden Shaw	Fr
OL	`79`	Nick Holiday	Fr
TE	`80`	Louis Conerly	Sr
WR	`81`	Deon Cormier	Fr
WR	`83`	Trevor Begue	Jr
TE	`84`	KJ Brown	Fr
WR	`86`	Markel Cotten	Fr
WR	`87`	Markquell Stewart	Fr
WR	`88`	Tylin Bryant	Fr
WR	`89`	Mason Pierce	Fr
QB		Morgan Clark	Fr
RB		Ivory Roberts	Fr

Defense

Pos.	#	Name	Class
DB	`1`	Darion Dunn	Jr
DB	`2`	Cory McCoy	Jr
DB	`4`	Colby Burton	Sr
DB	`5`	Jovon Burriss	Sr
DB	`6`	Calum Foster	Sr
DB	`7`	Gabe Foster	Jr
DL	`8`	Damien DeGruy	So
DL	`9`	Cody Roscoe	Jr
LB	`10`	Darius Daniels	So
LB	`11`	Kody Fulp	So
DB	`16`	Colby Richardson	So
DB	`17`	Darius Johnson	Jr
DB	`18`	Eli Johnson	Fr
DB	`21`	Andre Sam	So
LB	`23`	Kordell Williams	So
DB	`25`	Darius Shields	Fr
LB	`26`	Keshon Bell	So
DB	`27`	Enos Lewis	So
DB	`28`	Andrew Croker	Fr
LB	`29`	Jake LaFleur	Fr
DE	`30`	Marcus Foster	Sr
LB	`31`	Dorion Pollard	Jr
LB	`32`	Carlos Scott	Jr
DB	`35`	Anthony Johnson	Fr
LB	`41`	Eric Rene	Fr
DE	`42`	Earenest Grayson, III	Fr
LB	`43`	Tyrell Flugence	Fr
LB	`45`	Tahj Samuel	Fr
LB	`48`	Andrew Hyacinth	Jr
DE	`49`	Chris Livings	Sr
DL	`54`	Jonathon Hageon	Fr
LB	`56`	Brayden Adams	Fr
DL	`90`	Jonta Jones	Sr
DL	`91`	Tyrique Gibson	So
DL	`92`	Arthur Lott	Fr
DL	`93`	Steven Conerly	So
DL	`94`	Kaleb Wenson	Fr
DL	`95`	Chase Davis	So
DL	`96`	C. J. Semien	So
DL	`97`	Camron Peterson	So
DE	`98`	Logan Sonnier	Fr
DL	`99`	Marval Bourgeois	Sr
LB		Trey Clark	Fr
LB		Blake Robinson	Fr

Special teams

Pos.	#	Name	Class
K	`11`	Kade Dixon	So
K	`26`	Eric Martin	Fr
P	`38`	Bailey Raborn	Jr
LS	`39`	Jake Smith	Sr
LS	`51`	Trey Vondenstein	Fr
LS	`65`	Chandler Perer	Fr

Head coach

Sterlin Gilbert (Angelo State)

Coordinators/assistant coaches

Matt Mattox (Houston)
Offensive coordinator/offensive line
Jim Gush (Bucknell)
Defensive coordinator
Landon Hoefer (Texas Tech)
Running backs
Ben Olson (Eastern Illinois)
Defensive line
Marcus Walker (Oklahoma)
Co-defensive backs
Nick Graham (Tulsa)
Co-defensive backs
Brody Trahan (Baylor)
Linebackers
Derek Shay (Eastern Illinois)
Tight ends
Lanear Sampson (Baylor)
Co-wide receivers
Jeff Lepak (Eastern Illinois)
Co-wide receivers
Kyle Washington (Angelo State)
Offensive quality control
Zach Colvin (Bowling Green)
Defensive quality control

Legend

(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible

Injured
Redshirt

Roster
Last update: April 25, 2020

References

^ Gazzolo, Jim (November 20, 2018). "Guidry fired as McNeese head coach". The Daily Iberian.
^ "USF's Sterlin Gilbert headed to McNeese State". Tampa Bay Times. December 5, 2018. Retrieved August 21, 2019.
^ "Nicholls Voted to Top Spot in 2019 Football Preseason Poll". www.southland.org. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
^ "Southland Announces 2019 Preseason All-Conference Football Teams". www.southland.org. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
^ "Southland TV Selections Announced for First Four Weeks". Southland Conference. August 13, 2019. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
^ "McNeese Cowboys Schedule 2019". ESPN. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
^ "2019 Football Schedule". McNeese State University Athletics. Retrieved June 20, 2023.

[1] Gazzolo, Jim (November 20, 2018). "Guidry fired as McNeese head coach". The Daily Iberian.

[2] "USF's Sterlin Gilbert headed to McNeese State". Tampa Bay Times. December 5, 2018. Retrieved August 21, 2019.

[3] "Nicholls Voted to Top Spot in 2019 Football Preseason Poll". www.southland.org. Retrieved August 19, 2019.

[4] "Southland Announces 2019 Preseason All-Conference Football Teams". www.southland.org. Retrieved August 19, 2019.

[FirstFourWeeks-5] "Southland TV Selections Announced for First Four Weeks". Southland Conference. August 13, 2019. Retrieved August 14, 2019.

[6] "McNeese Cowboys Schedule 2019". ESPN. Retrieved June 20, 2023.

[7] "2019 Football Schedule". McNeese State University Athletics. Retrieved June 20, 2023.

[1]

v t e McNeese Cowboys football
Venues	Killen Field (1951–1953) Wildcat Stadium (1954–1964) Cowboy Stadium (1965–present)
Bowls & rivalries	Central Arkansas: Red Beans and Rice Bowl Lamar: Battle of the Border Louisiana: Cajun Crown Northwestern State
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Seasons	1940–1950 (junior college) 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

v t e Southland Conference
Members	East Texas A&M Lions Houston Christian Huskies Incarnate Word Cardinals Lamar Cardinals and Lady Cardinals McNeese Cowboys and Cowgirls Nicholls State Colonels New Orleans Privateers Northwestern State Demons and Lady Demons Southeastern Louisiana Lions and Lady Lions Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks and Ladyjacks Texas A&M–Corpus Christi Islanders UTRGV Vaqueros (adding football in 2025)
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Related entities	Southland Bowling League (2015–2023)