The McNeese Cowboys (4-7, 3-4 SLC) are set to face the Lamar Cardinals (8-3, 5-2 SLC) Saturday afternoon in Beaumont, Texas.
Last week, McNeese had a sour senior night, losing to the UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros 28-13. That loss put the Cowboys’ home record at 3-3 on the season. The other two losses were to Weber State, 42-41, and Southeastern Louisiana, 38-0.
The Cardinals most recently lost on the road to the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks 26-15. For the last three games, Lamar has scored 17 points or fewer, resulting in a 1-2 record since the start of the month.
Kickoff between McNeese and Lamar from Provost Umphrey Stadium is scheduled for 3:00 PM on Saturday, November 22nd.
END ON A HIGH NOTE
This 2025 season hasn’t exactly gone to plan for the McNeese Cowboys. It was going to be a rebuilding season for the Pokes following changes to the coaching staff and the roster.
There was momentum being built in the second half of the season. Since October 18th, McNeese has gone 3-2, winning three out of four before losing to UT Rio Grande Valley last week, 28-13.
The Cardinals are still fighting to finish near the top of the Southland Conference standings. Stephen F. Austin remains undefeated in the SLC, with Southwestern and Lamar one game overall behind the Lumberjacks. A road win over Lamar would be a great way to close out the 2025 season for the Pokes and leave a sour taste in their mouth.
BATTLE OF THE BORDER
The origin of the football rivalry between the McNeese Cowboys and the Lamar Cardinals. With just 60 miles separating the two universities, it was inevitable that these two universities and their athletic programs.
This matchup was almost a yearly battle, with a slight pause every handful of years. That was until 1989, when Lamar suspended its football program. The rivalry was put on hold for over 20 years before the Cardinals returned to the gridiron in 2010.
After Lamar’s return, McNeese won seven out of the next eight games, including four consecutive between 2010 and 2013. Since 2018, the Pokes have lost four out of the last six matchups and are on a two-game losing streak.
PERFECT AT HOME
Lamar has been impressive at home this season, recording a 5-0 record to this point. At home, the Cardinals average 23.2 points per game, and their opponents are putting up 19 points on the board in those games.
In the last five games, Lamar’s offense has struggled to score as it’s put up 23 or fewer points four times. And in the previous three weeks, the Cardinals’ offense hasn’t recorded more than 258 yards. In 2025, the Cardinals have utilized a two-quarterback system, using both Aiden McCown and Robert Coleman interchangeably this season. McCown and Coleman have been described as having similar skillsets by McNeese head coach Matt Viator.
McNeese didn’t get its first road win until three weeks ago, when it defeated the East Texas A&M Lions 35-20. Taking away that 15-point win, the Cowboys average 261 yards of offense and just 10.25 points per away game.
SERIES RECORD: Lamar leads 25-12-1
Last 5 Meetings:
2024: Lamar 26 – McNeese 24
2023: Lamar 52 – McNeese 27
2022: McNeese 24 – Lamar 20
2020: Lamar 27 – McNeese 26 OT
2019: McNeese 27 – Lamar 3
STAT LEADERS
McNeese
Jake Strong: 164-278, 2,008 Yards, 11 TD, 13 INT
Coleby Hamm: 100 carries, 504 Yards, 5 TD
Logan Mauldin: 22 Catches, 318 Yards, 2 TD
Phillip Bradford & Masey Lewis: 5.5 Sacks
“Shoes” Brinkley: 75 Tackles (44 Solo)
Javon Davis: 3 INT
Fabrizio Pinton: 5-of-7 Field Goals, Long of 47, 24-of-24 PAT
Lamar
Aiden McCown: 89-140, 1,035 Yards, 7 TD, 4 INT
Xavier Coleman: 90 Carries, 385 Yards, 3 TD
Kyndon Fuselier: 44 Catches, 402 Yards, 4 TD
Andrew Huff: 6.5 Sacks
Kristian Pugh: 72 Tackles (35 Solo)
Kristian Pugh: 3 INT
Ben Woodard: 12-of-16 Field Goals, Long of 57, 29-of-29 PAT