The McNeese Cowboys (3-6) are set to face the East Texas A&M Lions (2-7) in a week 11 Southland Conference matchup.
Last week, the Cowboys dominated the Northwestern State Demons at home 50-3. McNeese wasn’t flagged for the entirety of the game, rushed for 313 yards, and scored six rushing touchdowns in their third win of the season.
The Lions have lost three out of their last four games, with the lone win being a 52-45 barn burner against Incarnate Word. The most recent loss was to Southeastern Louisiana, 59-14.
Kickoff between McNeese and East Texas A&M from Memorial Stadium in Commerce, Texas, is scheduled for 4:00 PM on Saturday, November 8th.
ROAD WOES
This season for McNeese has been hit or miss at home, going 3-2 at Navarre Stadium so far. It’s been a different story on the road.
In their four road games, the Cowboys have lost by an average of 26.5 points. The worst loss was by 41 to Utah State back on September 20th, and the closest loss was by 17 against Stephen F. Austin the next week. McNeese also averages just 261 yards of offense away from Lake Charles, a clear difference from the 452 yards per game they record at home. This has led to the Pokes going 0-4 on the road.
East Texas A&M is actually 0-4 at home. Their two win came on the road against Northwestern State and Incarnate Word. The Lions have allowed an average of 38 points and 419 yards to opponents in their three games in Commerce, Texas.
DEFENSIVE LINE SHUFFLING
Masey Lewis has been the best and most productive defensive lineman for McNeese this season, leading the team in sacks with 4.5. He missed last week’s win versus Northwestern State, which allowed Phillip Bradford to play more.
In that dominant 47-point win over the Demons, Bradford went off, recording six tackles (5 solo), 4.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks. Bradford’s effort resulted in a Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Week.
Lewis will be a game-time decision on Saturday as he’ll have to figure out how comfortable he will be with a wrapped-up club hand. Whether Lewis plays or not, Bradford has earned himself a starting role for the rest of the season and is expected to rotate back and forth between the edge and interior of the defensive line.
OFFENSIVE LINE STABILITY
McNeese’s starting five on the offensive line has combined to have
played 2,630 snaps on the season, roughly 93% of the total offensive snaps on the season.
Cody Brackeen has played a season-high 551 out of a possible
589 snaps, Will Bressi leads the team with 23 total knockdown blocks, and center Sam Liu missed the NSU game due to an injury, the first
missed start by a starting offensive lineman this season.
The stability and chemistry of this unit have helped the offensive line become dominant at points this season. When McNeese can lean on their run game and have the O Line step up, they’re tough to beat.
SERIES RECORD: East Texas A&M leads 3-2
All 5 Meetings:
2024: McNeese 31 – East Texas A&M 3
2023: Texas A&M Commerce 41 – McNeese 10
2022: Texas A&M Commerce 40 – McNeese 15
1971: McNeese 47 – Texas A&M Commerce 3
1970: Texas A&M Commerce 57 – McNeese 26
STAT LEADERS:
McNeese
Jake Strong: 129-225, 1,562 Yards, 9 TD, 10 INT
Tre’Vonte Citizen: 63 Carries, 406 Yards, 4 TD
Jonathan Harris: 22 Catches, 262 Yards, 5 TD
Masey Lewis: 4.5 Sacks
“Shoes” Brinkley: 65 Tackles (41 Solo)
“Shoes” Brinkley & Javon Davis: 2 INT
Fabrizio Pinton: 5-of-6 Field Goals, Long of 47, 20-of-20 PAT
East Texas A&M
Ron Peace: 84-150, 1,280 Yards, 6 TD, 3 INT
KJ Shankle: 86 Carries, 371 Yards, 3 TD
Devin Matthews: 29 Catches, 575 Yards, 5 TD
Koby-Sebasyen King: 4.5 Sacks
Koby-Sebasyen King: 75 Tackles (31 Solo)
Javon Gillespie: 2 INT
Ozlo Rigby: 9-of-13 Field Goals, Long of 47, 29-of-30 PAT