LAKE CHARLES — McNeese hung tough for the first half but Texas A&M-Commerce proved to be the better team Saturday night in The Hole.
The visiting Lions outscored the Cowboys 23-0 in the final two quarters to pull out a 40-15 victory. With the loss, McNeese falls to 1-5 overall and 0-2 in Southland Conference play.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Texas A&M-Commerce struck first with a seven-play, 70-yard drive which was capped with a 48-yard touchdown pass from Eric Rodriguez to Andrew Armstrong.
McNeese got on the scoreboard right before the end of the opening quarter. A&M-Commerce’s Rodriguez fumbled the ball and it was recovered by Richard Akers.
A few plays later, Knox Kadum threw a three-yard touchdown pass to Josh Matthews in the back of the end zone. Walker Wood ran it in for the two-point conversion attempt and the Cowboys led 8-7.
McNeese added to its lead in the second quarter with a 12-play, 87-yard drive which was capped with a one-yard touchdown run by Deonta McMahon. That was the last time the Cowboys held a lead in the game.
A&M-Commerce ended the first half with two scoring drives, with Rodriguez finding Armstrong for another touchdown — this one for eight yards — and then adding a 42-yard field goal by Emmanueal Adagbon.
At the break, A&M-Commerce led 17-15.
Neither team produced touchdown drives in the third quarter but the Lions did add a 27-yard field goal by Adagbon.
A&M-Commerce would seal the win with three touchdown drives in the final quarter while McNeese failed to find the end zone.
BIG NUMBER: 3
McNeese committed three turnovers in the game with Knox Kadum throwing two interceptions. The Cowboys also completed 3-of-13 on third down conversions.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: ANDREW ARMSTRONG
A&M-Commerce’s star wide receiver led all receivers in the game with 113 yards on nine receptions with two touchdowns.
UP NEXT: McNeese (1-5, 0-2 SLC) will play at Nicholls on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.