Cowboys Begin a New Season and a New Era Saturday

The McNeese Cowboys begin the Sterlin Gilbert era on Saturday evening when they host the Southern Jaguars at Cowboy Stadium. A sellout crowd of 20,000 is expected with kickoff at 6:07pm. This will be the second meeting between the two schools with the Pokes having won the first 38-17 back in 2004 in Baton Rouge. McNeese has never lost to a SWAC school in twelve previous meetings.

Cody Orgeron will get the start at QB for the Cowboys. He appeared in all eleven games last year and started three. He completed 56% of his passes for 406 yards and ran for 148. The team's second leading rusher also returns, Justin Pratt ran for 320 yards on 93 carries with a touchdown. Cyron Sutton returns to lead the receivers.

The defense will be lead by fifth-year player Chris Livings. Livings is 4th on the all time sacks list and trails Bryan Smith by 10.5. Smith picked up 31 sacks in his career at McNeese. The Cowboys will have to replace BJ Blunt at the linebacker spot. There are a handful of transfers that can help out at that position.

Bailey Raborn will take over the kicking duties from his brother, Gunner. Noah Anderson will also help out in the kicking game. J'Cobi Skinner and Cyron Sutton will return kicks.

Southern is the first of 2 SWAC teams on the schedule. Following a trip to Oklahoma State next week, the Pokes will host Alcorn State. Airtime is 5:00pm with kickoff at 6:07pm on 92.9 The Lake.