COMMERCE – Rushing for over 300 yards, the McNeese State Cowboys downed the East Texas A&M University football team by a score of 35-20 on Saturday evening inside the Ernest Hawkins Field at Memorial Stadium.
 
The loss is the third in a row for the Lions, who fall to 2-8 overall and 2-4 in Southland Conference action. The Cowboys have won back-to-back against the Lions and improve to 4-6 this season and 3-3 in SLC play.
 
After the Lions won the toss and elected to receive the ball, Alijah Harrison (Newman Smith) received the opening kick-off in the end zone and returned it back for a 100-yard touchdown. It is the first kick-off returned back for a touchdown by the Lions since former Lion Dominique Ramsey returned a 91-yard touchdown in 2019 against Western New Mexico.
 
After a punt by the Cowboys and the Lions turning the ball over on downs, Jake Strong hit Kameran Senegal for a 39-yard receiving touchdown to even the game. The Cowboys took advantage of muffed punt by East Texas A&M to tack on seven more points as Coleby Hamm rushed in a two-yard touchdown at the end of the first quarter.
 
Ozlo Rigby (Panama City, Fla.) drilled a 29-yard field goal for the Lions, but the Cowboys' Phillip Bradford returned an interception back for a 12-yard touchdown to make it 21-10 at the half.
 
In the third quarter, Strong broke away for a 48-yard touchdown run to cap off a five-play 95-yard drive for the Cowboys.
 
The Lions came within one possession in the fourth quarter as Rigby drilled a 28-yard field goal and then Jaden Proctor (Mexia) caught a 22-yard touchdown pass from Eric Rodriguez (Fort Bend Travis).
 
On the next drive, Hamm rushed in a 29-yard touchdown to put the Cowboys back up front by 15.
 
The Lions used two quarterbacks in the game with Ron Peace (Malakoff) going 9 for 20 for 94 yards and a pair of interceptions, while Rodriguez went 11 for 16 in relief, throwing for 140 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
 
Christian Jourdain (New Orleans) caught six catches for 104 yards, with his longest reception being 47 yards.
 
Defensively for East Texas A&M, Koby-Sebasyen King (Houston – Summer Creek) had team-best 16 tackles as well as one sack, while Kyree Anderson (Cy-Lakes) had 11 tackles and a forced fumble.
 
Cinque Williams (Southlake Carroll) also had a forced fumble, while Kaleb Miles (Prosper) had an interception.
 
McNeese outgained the Lions, 481-383, holding the ball for 35 minutes and 26 seconds, while the Lions had possession for just 24 minutes and 34 seconds.
 
Strong rushed for 136 yards and one touchdown, while also throwing for 171 yards on 10 for 18 passing and one touchdown as well as one interception. Hamm totaled 127 yards on the ground via 19 carries.
 

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The Lions take on HCU in Commerce next Saturday at 4 p.m. for Senior Day and Ag Day, presented by Fix & Feed. Tickets can be purchased at LionAthletics.com/tickets.