Cowboys Fall at Central Arkansas 40-31

McNeese slugged it out with Central Arkansas for three quarters, but a 14-0 UCA third put the Bears on top 34-24 and they held off the Cowboys for a 40-31 win in Conway. The Pokes fell to 3-4 overall and 1-3 in Southland Conference play. The Bears improved to 4-2 and 2-1 in SLC play.

The first half went back and forth with McNeese picking off the first pass thrown by UCA QB Breylin Smith. It took the Cowboys two plays to go 34 yards to take a 7-0 lead. UCA scored on the first of 4 Ray Hayden field goals to cut the lead to four. Bailey Rayborn kicked a 25 yard FG to make the score 10-7. The Bears took a 20-17 lead less than two minutes till halftime. But the Cowboys scored just before the break to lead at the half 24-20.

The third quarter belonged to UCA and they took a 34-24 lead into the fourth. Mcneese pulled to within six on a pass from Cody Orgeron to Louis Conerly. Hayden added his final FG to make it 40-31.

Orgeron was 26-41 for 344 yards and four touchdowns. It was a record-setting night for Cyron Sutton as he caught 13 passes for 156 yards at two touchdowns. The 13 catches are a new McNeese record. Elijah Mack ran for 70 yards to lead the team in rushing. McNeese picked up 439 yards in total offense. Cory McCoy led the teams with 11 tackles and one of the team's two interceptions.

McNeese will celebrate homecoming next Saturday with Houston Baptist. Kickoff will be at 4:00pm.