Cowboys Fall To SFA 31-28

Before last night's SLC opener, the visiting team had won the last three games in the series. That did not change Saturday evening as Stephen F Austin came into Cowboy Stadium and beat McNeese 31-28. McNeese fell to 1-2 and 0-1 in conference play. SFA goes to 2-1 and 1-0.

For the second time in as many home games, the Cowboys got off to a slow start, falling behind 10-0 in the 1st. Darious Crawley caught the first of his 2 touchdown passes to bring the Pokes to within 3 at the end of the 1st quarter. The Jacks made it a 10 point game again at 17-7. Kent Shelby caught his first TD pass before halftime to make it 17-14 at the break. The Cowboys missed 2 field goal attempts in the first half including what would have been the game tying FG with 10 seconds left in the half.

The Cowboys took the lead midway through the 3rd when Shelby caught his second TD pass from James Tabary to make it 21-17. That lead lasted 1:12 as the Lumberjacks quickly made it 24-21. On the first play of the 4th quarter, Crawley's 2nd TD catch gave the Pokes a 28-24 advantage. The lead held up until an interception gave the Jacks good field position leading to the game winner with 3:35 left.

Once again, the Cowboys led most offensive stats. Total yards, 486-410. Plays run, 90-73. And time of possession by 9 minutes. But 2 turnovers and 2 missed field goals hurt McNeese. Lawayne Ross led the team in rushing with 67 yds on 12 carries. Tabary was 22-39 for 348 yds 4 TDs and 1 INT. Crawley caught 6 passes for 137 and 2 TDs, Kent Shelby had 5 for 94 yds and 2 TDs. Shelby has caught a pass in 17 straight games.

McNeese travels to San Antonio to play Incarnate Word next Saturday.