By: Dave Parks, Intern
LAKE CHARLES. – After last week’s cancellation, McNeese State came into the game fired up to begin their 2015 season and showed with a dominating win over Incarnate Word by the score of 43-6.
The Cowboys defense suffocated UIW’s offense all night, only allowing 227 yards of total offense including a miniscule 12 yards rushing. The defense notched four sacks, three turnovers, a safety, and provided great field position for McNeese’s offense to take control.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Cowboys gained an impressive 406 yards of total offense. Derrick Milton started the scoring with a 36-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. McNeese added a safety and a field goal before they scored their second touchdown on a pass from Daniel Sams to Austin Nelson in the third quarter. Sams also added a TD run before the end of the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, Grant Ashcraft and David Hamm added TD runs of their own.
Sams finished 12 of 21 passing for 181 yards with a touchdown, and he also ran for a score. Milton led the rushing attack with 75 yards on the ground. Ryan Ross gained 65 yards, Hamm added 60 yards along with a TD. Tavarious Battiste hauled in 64 yards receiving. Benjamin Jones added a long 42 yard reception. Deondre Skinner caught two passes for 34 yards and Kent Shelby caught a 25 yard pass.
Trent Manuel was solid in the kicking game by making two field goals and going 5/5 on extra point attempts.
The Cowboys will face Stephen F. Austin on the road next week. The Lumberjacks are 0-1 on the year after losing to TCU this past weekend. The Cowboys will look to build on the strong start to their season and come out of next week with another win.
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