Cowboys clinch Conference Title

By: Dave Parks, Intern

LAKE CHARLES – The McNeese State Cowboys took down the reigning Southland Conference champions Sam Houston State by the score 27-10 on Saturday night. The win gave the Cowboys an automatic berth into the FCS playoffs and improved their record to 9-0 on the year and 8-0 in conference play. They also moved up to #5 overall in the rankings.

The Cowboys fell behind 10-0 in the first quarter, but they would take over the game from that point and score 27 unanswered points. In the second quarter, Daniel Sams raced around the edge for a 64-yard touchdown run which cut the Bearkats lead to three. Right before halftime, Sams found Kent Shelby in the end zone to give the Cowboys the lead for good.

In the second half, the defense held the Bearkats scoreless and the offense was able to tack on another touchdown after two field goals. Ryan Ross ran it in from 20 yards out for the score and give the Cowboys the 27-10 win.

Sams had a big night by passing for 168 yards with a touchdown and ran for 164 with another TD. Ross added 77 yards and a TD run. Derrick Milton rushed for 68 yards, as well. Kent Shelby led the receivers with seven catches for 102 yards and a touchdown. David Bush had four receptions for 42 yards and Zach Hetrick added a 20-yard reception.

On the defensive side, Cameron Smith led the way with nine tackles. Brent Spikes, Wallace Scott, Ashari Goins, and Jammerio Gross each had over five tackles each.

The Cowboys will be off next week before travelling to Beaumont, Texas to take on Lamar for the regular season finale. The game’s kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. on November 21^st.

Photo Courtesy of McNeese State Athletics