2024 McNeese Cowboys football team

American college football season

2024 McNeese Cowboys football

Conference	Southland Conference
Record	1–1 (0–0 Southland)
Head coach	Gary Goff (3rd season)
Offensive coordinator	Adam Neugebauer (2nd season)
Defensive coordinator	Tony Pecoraro (3rd season)
Home stadium	Cowboy Stadium
Seasons ← 2023 2025 →

2024 Southland Conference football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
No. 12 Incarnate Word	0	–	0	1	–	0
Stephen F. Austin	0	–	0	1	–	0
McNeese	0	–	0	1	–	1
Houston Christian	0	–	0	0	–	1
Lamar	0	–	0	0	–	1
No. 22 Nicholls	0	–	0	0	–	1
Northwestern State	0	–	0	0	–	1
Southeastern Louisiana	0	–	0	0	–	1
Texas A&M–Commerce *	0	–	0	0	–	1

* – Texas A&M–Commerce is ineligible for FCS postseason play due to transition from NCAA Division II. As of September 2, 2024 Rankings from STATS Poll

The 2024 McNeese Cowboys football team will represent McNeese State University in the 2024 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Cowboys play their home games at Cowboy Stadium in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and compete in the Southland Conference. They are led by third–year head coach Gary Goff.

Preseason

Preseason poll

The Southland Conference released their preseason poll on July 22, 2024. The Cowboys were picked to finish sixth in the conference.^[1]

Predicted finish	Team	Votes (1st place)
1	Nicholls	119 (9)
2	Incarnate Word	113 (8)
3	Southeastern Louisiana	94
4	Lamar	88 (1)
5	Stephen F. Austin	72
6	McNeese	64
7	Houston Christian	41
8	Texas A&M–Commerce	37
9	Northwestern State	25

Preseason All–Southland Teams

The Southland Conference announced the 2024 preseason all-conference football team selections on July 22, 2024. McNeese had a total of three players selected.^[2]

Offense

1st Team

Cole LeClair – Offensive lineman, SR

Defense

1st Team

Micah Davey – Linebacker, RS-JR

2nd Team

Levi Wyatt – Defensive back, JR

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 24	2:30 pm	at No. 21 Tarleton State*	Memorial Stadium Stephenville, TX	ESPN2	L 23–26	16,125
August 31	7:00 pm	Southern*	Cowboy Stadium Lake Charles, LA	ESPN+	W 21–7	17,040
September 7	11:45 am	at Texas A&M*	Kyle Field College Station, TX	SECN	–
September 14	7:00 pm	Stephen F. Austin	Cowboy Stadium Lake Charles, LA	ESPN+	–
September 21	7:00 pm	Alcorn State*	Cowboy Stadium Lake Charles, LA	ESPN+	–
September 28	TBA	at Weber State*	Stewart Stadium Ogden, UT	ESPN+	–
October 5	6:00 pm	at Houston Christian	Husky Stadium Houston, TX	ESPN+	–
October 19	4:00 pm	at Incarnate Word	Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium San Antonio, TX	ESPN+	–
October 26	3:00 p.m.	at Nicholls	Guidry Stadium Thibodaux, LA	ESPN+	–
November 2	7:00 pm	Texas A&M–Commerce	Cowboy Stadium Lake Charles, LA	ESPN+	–
November 16	TBA	at Northwestern State	Harry Turpin Stadium Natchitoches, LA	ESPN+	–
November 23	7:00 pm	Lamar	Cowboy Stadium Lake Charles, LA (Battle of the Border – Rivalry)	ESPN+	–
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game All times are in Central time

Game summaries

at No. 21 Tarleton State

Game One – McNeese Cowboys (0-0) vs No.21 Tarleton State Texans (0-0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
McNeese	7	0	3	13	23
No. 21 Tarleton State	16	10	0	0	26

at Memorial Stadium • Stephenville, TX

Date: Saturday August 24, 2024
Game time: 2:30 p.m.
Game weather: Sunny, 96 °F (36 °C), SE at 9 miles per hour (14 km/h)
Game attendance: 16,125
Referee: Matthew Jones
TV announcers (ESPN2): Lowell Galindo (play-by-play) and Fozzy Whittaker (analyst)
^[3]

Game information
First quarter (11:12) TAR – Michael James 53-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 12 yards, 02:41, Tarleton State 3–0) (08:16) MCN – Jamaal Levi 43-yard pass from Clifton McDowell (Tyler Larco kick) (Drive: 8 plays, 43 yards, 02:56, McNeese 7–3) (04:09) TAR – Derrel Kelley III 1-yard run (Michael James kick) (Drive: 10 plays, 64 yards, 04:01, Tarleton State 10–7) (03:23) TAR – Kasyus Kurns 31-yard fumble recovery (kick failed) (Tarleton State 16–7) Second quarter (07:35) TAR – Keylan Johnson 26-yard pass from Victor Gabalis (Michael James kick) (Drive: 12 plays, 83 yards, 04:34, Tarleton State 23–7) (03:10) TAR – Michael James 34-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 38 yards, 03:05, Tarleton State 26–7) Third quarter (00:46) MCN – Tyler Larco 36-yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 38 yards, 05:58, Tarleton State 26–10) Fourth quarter (09:32) MCN – D'Angelo Durham 7-yard run (kick failed) (Drive: 9 plays, 72 yards, 00:11, Tarleton State 26–16) (04:15) MCN – Matthew McCallister 80-yard pass from Clifton McDowell (Tyler Larco kick) (Drive: 1 play, 80 yards, 00:11, Tarleton State 26–23)

Game information

First quarter

(11:12) TAR – Michael James 53-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 12 yards, 02:41, Tarleton State 3–0)
(08:16) MCN – Jamaal Levi 43-yard pass from Clifton McDowell (Tyler Larco kick) (Drive: 8 plays, 43 yards, 02:56, McNeese 7–3)
(04:09) TAR – Derrel Kelley III 1-yard run (Michael James kick) (Drive: 10 plays, 64 yards, 04:01, Tarleton State 10–7)
(03:23) TAR – Kasyus Kurns 31-yard fumble recovery (kick failed) (Tarleton State 16–7)

Second quarter

(07:35) TAR – Keylan Johnson 26-yard pass from Victor Gabalis (Michael James kick) (Drive: 12 plays, 83 yards, 04:34, Tarleton State 23–7)
(03:10) TAR – Michael James 34-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 38 yards, 03:05, Tarleton State 26–7)

Third quarter

(00:46) MCN – Tyler Larco 36-yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 38 yards, 05:58, Tarleton State 26–10)

Fourth quarter

(09:32) MCN – D'Angelo Durham 7-yard run (kick failed) (Drive: 9 plays, 72 yards, 00:11, Tarleton State 26–16)
(04:15) MCN – Matthew McCallister 80-yard pass from Clifton McDowell (Tyler Larco kick) (Drive: 1 play, 80 yards, 00:11, Tarleton State 26–23)

Statistics	MCN	TAR
First downs	20	19
Total yards	66–445	69–339
Rushing yards	46–200	43–195
Passing yards	245	144
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	14—20–1	12–26–0
Time of possession	25:32	34:28

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
McNeese	Passing	Clifton McDowell	13/19, 242 yards, 2 TD, INT
	Rushing	Clifton McDowell	20 carries, 67 yards
	Receiving	Matthew McCallister	1 reception, 80 yards, TD
Tarleton State	Passing	Victor Gabelis	11/18, 140 yards, TD
	Rushing	Kayvon Britten	25 carries, 164 yards
	Receiving	Darius Cooper	6 receptions, 85 yards

vs. Southern

Game Two – Southern Jaguars (0-0) vs McNeese Cowboys (0-1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Southern	0	0	0	0	0
McNeese	0	0	0	0	0

at Cowboy Stadium, Lake Charles, Louisiana

Date: Saturday August 31, 2024
Game time: 7:00 p.m.
TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	SOU	MCN
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Southern	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
McNeese	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Texas A&M (FBS)

Game Three – McNeese Cowboys vs Texas A&M Aggies (FBS) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
McNeese	0	0	0	0	0
Texas A&M (FBS)	0	0	0	0	0

at Kyle Field, College Station, Texas

Date: Saturday September 7, 2024
Game time: 11:45 AM
TV announcers (SECN): Taylor Zarzour (play-by-play), Matt Stinchcomb (analyst), and Alyssa Lang (sideline)

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	MCN	TXAM
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
McNeese	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Texas A&M	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

vs. Stephen F. Austin

Game Four – Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks vs McNeese Cowboys – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Stephen F. Austin	0	0	0	0	0
McNeese	0	0	0	0	0

at Cowboy Stadium, Lake Charles, Louisiana

Date: Saturday September 14, 2024
Game time: 7:00 p.m.
TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	SFA	MCN
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Stephen F. Austin	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
McNeese	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

vs. Alcorn State

Game Five – Alcorn State Braves vs McNeese Cowboys – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Alcorn State	0	0	0	0	0
McNeese	0	0	0	0	0

at Cowboy Stadium, Lake Charles, Louisiana

Date: Saturday September 21, 2024
Game time: 7:00 p.m.
TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	ALCN	MCN
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Alcorn State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
McNeese	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Weber State

Game Six – McNeese Cowboys vs Weber State Wildcats – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
McNeese	0	0	0	0	0
Weber State	0	0	0	0	0

at Stewart Stadium, Ogden, Utah

Date: Saturday September 28, 2024
Game time: TBA
TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	MCN	WEB
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
McNeese	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Weber State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Houston Christian

Game Seven – McNeese Cowboys vs Houston Christian Huskies – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
McNeese	0	0	0	0	0
Houston Christian	0	0	0	0	0

at Husky Stadium, Houston, Texas

Date: Saturday October 5, 2024
Game time: 6:00 PM
TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	MCN	HCU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
McNeese	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Houston Christian	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Incarnate Word

Game Eight – McNeese Cowboys vs Incarnate Word Cardinals – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
McNeese	0	0	0	0	0
Incarnate Word	0	0	0	0	0

at Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium, San Antonio, Texas

Date: Saturday October 19, 2024
Game time: 4:00 PM
TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	MCN	UIW
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
McNeese	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Incarnate Word	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Nicholls

Game Nine – McNeese Cowboys vs Nicholls Colonels – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
McNeese	0	0	0	0	0
Nicholls	0	0	0	0	0

at Guidry Stadium, Thibodaux, Louisiana

Date: Saturday October 26, 2024
Game time: 3:00 PM
TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	MCN	NICH
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
McNeese	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Nicholls	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

vs. Texas A&M–Commerce

Game Ten – Texas A&M-Commerce Lions vs McNeese Cowboys – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Texas A&M-Commerce	0	0	0	0	0
McNeese	0	0	0	0	0

at Cowboy Stadium, Lake Charles, Louisiana

Date: Saturday November 2, 2024
Game time: 7:00 p.m.
TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	TAMU-C	MCN
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Texas A&M-Commerce	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
McNeese	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Northwestern State (rivalry)

Game Eleven – McNeese Cowboys vs Northwestern State Demons – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
McNeese	0	0	0	0	0
Northwestern State	0	0	0	0	0

at Harry Turpin Stadium, Natchitoches, Louisiana

Date: Saturday November 16, 2024
Game time: TBA
TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	MCN	NWST
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
McNeese	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Northwestern State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

vs. Lamar (rivalry)

Game Twelve – Lamar Cardinals vs McNeese Cowboys – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Lamar	0	0	0	0	0
McNeese	0	0	0	0	0

at Cowboy Stadium, Lake Charles, Louisiana

Date: Saturday November 23, 2024
Game time: 7:00 p.m.
TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	LAM	MCN
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Lamar	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
McNeese	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

^[4]^[5]^[6]

References

^ "Southland Conference Announces 2024 Football Preseason Poll and All-Conference Team". www.southland.org. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
^ Bonnette, Matthew (July 22, 2024). "Davey, LeClair, Wyatt Earn Preseason All-SLC Honors". mcneesesports.com. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
^ "McNeese (0-1 , 0-0) -vs- Tarleton St. (1-0 , 0-0)". Tarleton Sports. August 24, 2024. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
^ "2024 McNeese Football Schedule". fbschedules.com. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
^ "2024 Football Schedule". McNeese State University Athletics. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
^ "McNeese Cowboys Schedule 2024". ESPN Enterprises, Inc. Retrieved January 30, 2024.

v t e McNeese Cowboys football
Venues	Killen Field (1951–1953) Wildcat Stadium (1954–1964) Cowboy Stadium (1965–present)
Bowls & rivalries	Central Arkansas: Red Beans and Rice Bowl Lamar: Battle of the Border Louisiana: Cajun Crown Northwestern State
People	Head coaches NFL draftees
Seasons	1940–1950 (junior college) 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024