Cowboys Hang On For A 17-14 Win

Defense ruled the day in Greeley, Co. as the Cowboys held off Northern Colorado 17-14. The Pokes' Defense With Attitude held UNC to just 40 yards rushing and 301 total in the game. McNeese also sacked the Bears QB Jacob Knipp 6 times.

McNeese jumped out to a 17-0 lead in the first half on a Justin Pratt 2 yard run and a Gunnar Raborn 27 yard field goal. The Cowboys got a 49 yard interception return from Gabe Foster for their final score. Pratt lead the Cowboys in rushing with 63 yards on 14 carries. QB James Tabery finished 15-23 for 206 yards and an interception. Parker Orgeron had 77 yards on 4 catches. Cyron Sutton also had 4 catches. B J Blunt led the defense with 8 tackles and 2 sacks.

In the second half, it was the UNC defense that kept the game close. McNeese had just 120 yards in the second half as the Pokes struggled to get anything going. 2 plays after cutting the Cowboys lead to 10, Michael Walker returned an interception 57 yards to cut the lead to 3 with just over 5:30 left to play. But the McNeese defense did not allow the Bears to score again.

McNeese will be on the road again next week. The Cowboys will begin Southland Conference play in Houston against the Houston Baptist Huskies with kickoff at 6pm.