LAKE CHARLES, La. – The McNeese Cowboys scored 31 in a row to give the Texas A&M University-Commerce football team a 31-3 loss on Saturday night at Cowboy Stadium in the final road game of the season for the Lions.
The Lions fall to 1-8 on the season and play their final three games at home, being 1-3 in Southland Conference play, while McNeese is 5-5 and 2-3 against SLC opponents. Saturday was the first win for the Cowboys over the Lions since A&M-Commerce joined the SLC.
The Lions won the toss and deferred to the second half, putting the defense on the field first. On the very first play from scrimmage, a bad snap by the Cowboys was recovered by
Warren Robinson (Fort Bend Marshall), giving the Lion offense the ball at the McNeese 18-yard line.
Luke Jackson (Bensalem, Pa.) cashed in on the golden opportunity with a 28-yard field goal for the first points of the game.
LUKE JACKSON FIELD GOAL HIGHLIGHT
On the ensuing drive, McNeese took the lead with a six-yard touchdown run by Barbie Johnson, with the Cowboys gaining 39 yards on third down from their own 25-yard line to extend the drive.
After a punt from both squads, Bryce Strong broke away for a 78-yard touchdown to extend the McNeese lead. The Lions gained 35 yards on the ensuing kickoff, before fumbling the ball and getting the Cowboy offense back on the field.
McNeese drove down to the one-yard line, but the Lion defense made the stop on third down and held McNeese to a field goal, which was kicked in from 18 yards out by Tyler Larco.
In the second quarter, Kamden Sixkiller found Jonathan Harris for a 21-yard touchdown catch, capping off a nine-lay 84-yard drive. Devin Lippold rushed in a 17-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
Saturday was the second time the Lions did not score a touchdown this season and just the third time in four seasons.
The Cowboys outgained the Lions, 427-236, including 367 to 48 on the ground. Both teams had three turnovers in the game.
Will Madonna (Lakewood, Calif.) started the game for the Lions at quarterback and
Ron Peace (Malakoff) came in at halftime. Madonna went 6 for 16 in the game for 50 yards, while Peace went 10 for 23 with two interceptions and threw for 138 yards.
Brandon Tucker (DeSoto) led the team with 10 tackles as well as two tackles for loss and a sack. Both
Kendall Paul (Dallas – Bishop Dunne) and
Lavon Williams (San Antonio – Roosevelt) had an interception in the game.
POST GAME INTERVIEW
UP NEXT
The Lions play their final three games of the season at home, beginning with a date against Stephen F. Austin next Saturday at 3:30 p.m., which is also the annual Hall of Fame and Salute to Service game for the Lions.
Tickets for all remaining games can be purchased at
LionAthletics.com/Tickets.
-TAMUC-
