Cowboys Fall Hard at UIW

McNeese returned to action following their bye week and faced the number 1 offense in the Southland Conference. And Incarnate Word lived up to that ranking as they beat the Pokes 45-17 in San Antonio. McNeese falls to 5-2 overall and 4-1 in the SLC. The loss dropped the Cowboys out of first place. It is the first time UIW has beaten McNeese after dropping the first 4 meetings.

The Cardinals jumped out to a 14-3 lead after the first quarter and increased the margin to 28-3 at the half. It was 38-10 after 3, with each team adding a touchdown in the 4th. The Cardinals outgained the Cowboys 388 to 222 on offense, 100 yards below the UIW average. But 4 turnovers hurt the Cowboys, including a pick 6 interception return to close out the scoring. Once again, the McNeese offense struggled. The Cowboys average just 22 points a game.

McNeese quarterbacks James Tabery and Cody Orgeron were a combined 19-39 for 156 yards and 3 interceptions. Each threw a touchdown pass. 10 Cowboys ran the football with Orgeron leading the team with 16 yards. Trevor Begue lead the team in receptions with 6 for 72 yards. LaWayne Ross and Kylon Highshaw each caught a touchdown pass. B J Blunt had 12 total tackles and the team's only QB sack on defense. Cory McCoy had the only interception for McNeese.

The Cowboys will celebrate homecoming next Saturday evening when the University of Central Arkansas Bears come to Cowboy Stadium. UCA, UIW, and McNeese are all tied at 4-1 at the top of the conference standings.