McNeese Dominates Northwestern State 50-3

LAKE CHARLES, La. – The McNeese Cowboys finally broke through for their first victory of the season in commanding fashion Saturday night, dominating Southland Conference foe Northwestern State 50-3 at Jack Doland Field at Cowboy Stadium. Redshirt freshman quarterback Jake Strong delivered a career-best performance that spearheaded McNeese’s long-awaited triumph before an announced crowd of 8,765 on November 4, 2023.

Strong, making his third start, was clinical and efficient, completing 11 of 15 passes for 195 yards and throwing two touchdowns. He also showcased his dual-threat ability by rushing for another score, a 1-yard dive in the second quarter that further extended McNeese’s lead. His most explosive play through the air was a dazzling 68-yard touchdown bomb to senior wideout Jihad Marks, demonstrating the team’s big-play potential. Strong also connected with junior receiver Jadon Johnson for an 18-yard score, contributing to a balanced offensive attack.

The Cowboys’ offense was a well-oiled machine from start to finish, amassing an impressive 457 total yards – 262 on the ground and 195 through the air. The rushing attack was particularly potent, with multiple players finding the end zone. Senior running back D’Andre Hicks initiated the scoring with a 1-yard run on McNeese’s opening drive, setting the tone for the night. Anthony Johnson Jr. added a 2-yard score in the third quarter, and freshman Marcus McElveen Jr. capped off the scoring with an electrifying 23-yard dash in the fourth quarter. The consistent offensive drives and efficient execution kept the pressure on the Demons throughout the game.

Equally impressive was McNeese’s defensive unit, which stifled Northwestern State’s offense at every turn. The Cowboys held the Demons to a mere 226 total yards for the entire game and consistently pressured their quarterback, registering three sacks on the night. The defensive front and linebackers were relentless in disrupting Northwestern State’s rhythm, forcing numerous punts. The only points Northwestern State could muster came from a 38-yard field goal by Eric Elisar in the third quarter, a testament to the Cowboys’ stout goal-line stand earlier in the drive.

“This win has been a long time coming for our guys,” McNeese Head Coach Gary Goff told reporters after the game. “I’m incredibly proud of their resilience and how they played tonight. Jake [Strong] showed tremendous composure and talent, and our defense was just lights out. This is a huge momentum builder for us, and it shows what we’re capable of when we execute.”

For Northwestern State, the struggles continued. Head Coach Brad Laird acknowledged the tough outing, stating, “We just couldn’t get anything going consistently on offense, and McNeese played a fantastic game tonight. We have to go back to the drawing board and find a way to improve.”

The decisive victory improves McNeese’s overall record to 1-7 and 1-4 in Southland Conference play, providing a much-needed boost for a team that had faced significant adversity this season. For Northwestern State, the search for a win continues, as they fall to 0-9 overall and 0-5 in conference, still seeking their first triumph of the year.

McNeese will look to carry this momentum into their next matchup when they travel to face Southland Conference rival Southeastern Louisiana on November 11th. Northwestern State will host Lamar on the same date, hoping to turn their season around.