2015 McNeese State Cowboys football
Southland champion
ConferenceSouthland Conference
Ranking
STATSNo. 7
FCS CoachesNo. 9
Record10–1 (9–0 Southland)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorTim Leger (9th season)
Defensive coordinatorLance Guidry (3rd season)
Home stadiumCowboy Stadium
Seasons
← 2014
2016 →
2015 Southland Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 7 McNeese State $^   9 – 0     10 – 1  
No. 3 Sam Houston State ^   7 – 2     11 – 4  
Central Arkansas   7 – 2     7 – 4  
Incarnate Word *   5 – 4     6 – 5  
Lamar   4 – 5     5 – 6  
Northwestern State   4 – 5     4 – 7  
Stephen F. Austin   4 – 5     4 – 7  
SE Louisiana   3 – 6     4 – 7  
Abilene Christian *   3 – 6     3 – 8  
Nicholls State   3 – 6     3 – 8  
Houston Baptist   0 – 8     2 – 9  
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – FCS playoff participant
  • * – ineligible for FCS playoffs due to transition from NCAA Division II
Rankings from STATS poll

The 2015 McNeese State Cowboys football team represented McNeese State University as a member of the Southland Conference during the 2015 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Led by Matt Viator in his tenth and final season as head coach, the Cowboys compiled an overall record of 10–1 with a mark of 9–0 in conference play, winning the Southland title. McNeese State received the conference's automatic bid to NCAA Division I Football Championship playoffs, where, after a first-round bye, the Cowboys lost in the second round to fellow Southland member, Sam Houston State. The team played home games at Cowboy Stadium in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 56:30 pmNo. 14 (FBS) LSU* No. 25
SECN Canceled[a]
September 126:00 pmIncarnate Word
ASNW 43–612,804
September 196:00 pmat Stephen F. Austin
ESPN3W 28–1412,018
September 266:00 pmMississippi College*No. 25
  • Cowboy Stadium
  • Lake Charles, LA
W 37–010,436
October 33:00 pmat Nicholls StateNo. 23
CST[1]W 37–76,192
October 106:00 pmNo. 20 Southeastern LouisianaNo. 22
  • Cowboy Stadium
  • Lake Charles, LA
CSTW 21–713,110
October 176:00 pmat Central ArkansasNo. 15
ESPN3W 28–1310,527
October 246:00 pmNorthwestern StatedaggerNo. 12
  • Cowboy Stadium
  • Lake Charles, LA (rivalry)
CSTW 47–279,806
October 312:00 pmat Abilene ChristianNo. 10
ASNW 15–133,567
November 76:00 pmNo. 7 Sam Houston StateNo. 9
  • Cowboy Stadium
  • Lake Charles, LA
ESPN3W 27–1010,501
November 216:00 pmat LamarNo. 3
ESPN3W 20–149,808
December 57:00 pmNo. 6 Sam Houston StateNo. 3
ESPN3L 29–3413,493
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Central time
^[a] The game between LSU and McNeese State was canceled due to inclement weather. The game was delayed due to lightning after 5 minutes of play during each team held the ball for one drive and no one scored. Both schools' athletic directors decided not to reschedule the game, thus declaring it a "no contest". LSU did agree to pay McNeese State its promised fee of $500,000.

[2][3]

Game summaries

@ LSU

See also: LSU Tigers football and 2015 LSU Tigers football team
McNeese State at LSU
1 234Total
#25 Cowboys 0 000 0
Tigers 0 000 0
  • Date: September 5
  • Location: Tiger Stadium
    Baton Rouge, LA
  • Game start: CANCELLED
Sources:[4]

Incarnate Word

See also: Incarnate Word Cardinals football and 2015 Incarnate Word Cardinals football team
Incarnate Word at McNeese State
1 234Total
Cardinals 0 006 6
• Cowboys 7 22014 43
  • Date: September 12
  • Location: Cowboy Stadium
    Lake Charles, LA
  • Game start: 6:00 PM CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3:18
  • Game attendance: 12,804
  • Game weather: NNW 11 • Fair, 38% humidity
  • Referee: Ross Smith
  • Television network: ASN
Sources:[5]
Scoring summary
13:50McNeese StateDerrick Milton 36 yard run (Trent Manuel kick), Drive: 6 plays, 62 yards, 2:337–0
21:39McNeese StateTeam Safety, Drive: 0 plays, -1 yard, 0:079–0
310:36McNeese StateTrent Manuel 20 yard field goal, Drive: 10 plays, 62 yards, 4:2412–0
37:38McNeese StateAustin Nelson 2 yard pass from Daniel Sams (Trent Manuel kick), Drive: 4 plays, 39 yards, 1:5019–0
34:03McNeese StateTrent Manuel 22 yard field goal, Drive: 5 plays, 43 yards, 1:5222–0
30:26McNeese StateDaniel Sams 2 yard run (Trent Manuel kick), Drive: 7 plays, 36 yards, 3:3729–0
412:01McNeese StateGrant Ashcraft 2 yard run (Trent Manuel Kick), Drive: 5 plays, 22 yards, 2:0936–0
47:15Incarnate WordKody Edwards 11 yard pass from Jordan Scelfo (two-point pass conv. failed), Drive: 10 plays, 90 yards, 4:4636–7
43:56McNeese StateDavid Hamm 33 yard run (Trent Manuel kick), Drive: 1 play, 28 yards, 0:0943–7

@ Stephen F. Austin

See also: Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks football and 2015 Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks football team
McNeese State at Stephen F. Austin
1 234Total
• Cowboys 7 1407 28
Lumberjacks 14 000 14
  • Date: September 19
  • Location: Homer Bryce Stadium
    Nacogdoches, TX
  • Game start: 6:00 PM CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3:25
  • Game attendance: 12,018
  • Game weather: High 80's • SE 0–5 • Sunny and clear
  • Referee: Brandon Cruse
  • Television network: ESPN3
Sources:[6]
Scoring summary
111:15McNeese StateWallace Scott 97 yard fumble return (Trent Manuel kick), Drive: 5 plays, 77 yards, 2:257–0
18:43Stephen F. AustinAaron Thomas 14 yard pass from Hunter Taylor (Nick Bruno kick), Drive: 6 plays, 79 yards, 0:007–7
11:35Stephen F. AustinBraxton Bearden 55 yard pass from Hunter Taylor (Nick Bruno kick), Drive: 3 plays, 57 yards, 1:287–14
210:17McNeese StateDavid Bush 22 yard pass from Daniel Sams (Trent Manuel Kick), Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 6:1314–14
25:11McNeese StateKent Shelby 5 yard pass from Grant Ashcraft (Trent Manuel kick), Drive: 10 plays, 64 yards, 3:2821–14
46:05McNeese StateDaniel Sams 76 yard run (Trent Manuel kick), Drive: 3 plays, 80 yards, 1:3328–14

Mississippi College

See also: Mississippi College
Mississippi College at McNeese State
1 234Total
Choctaws 0 000 0
• #25 Cowboys 13 7107 37
  • Date: September 26
  • Location: Cowboy Stadium
    Lake Charles, LA
  • Game start: 6:00 PM CDT
  • Elapsed time: 2:40
  • Game attendance: 10,436
  • Game weather: 75°F • Overcast 86% • SSE 2 mph
  • Referee: Michael VanderVelde
  • Television network: All Access Cowboy Insider
Sources:[7]
Scoring summary
17:56McNeese StateDerrick Milton 4 yard run (Trent Manuel kick failed), Drive: 7 plays, 60 yards, TOP 2:396–0
13:57McNeese StateKent Shelby 40 yard pass from Daniel Sams (Trent Manuel kick), Drive: 3 plays, 52 yards, 1:1513–0
214:26McNeese StateDavid Bush 22 yard pass from Daniel Sams (Trent Manuel kick), Drive: 6 plays, 70 yards, 2:5120–0
38:26McNeese StateTrent Manuel 43 yard field goal, Drive: 11 plays, 33 yards, 4:2023–0
33:43McNeese StateRyan Ross 2 yard run (Trent Manuel kick), Drive: 6 plays, 56 yards, 2:4430–0
49:56McNeese StateGrant Ashcraft 5 yard run (Trent Manuel kick), Drive: 11 plays, 76 yards, 4:5537–0

@ Nicholls

See also: Nicholls State Colonels football and 2015 Nicholls State Colonels football team
McNeese State at Nicholls
1 234Total
• #23 Cowboys 7 2073 37
Colonels 0 700 7
  • Date: October 3
  • Location: John L. Guidry Stadium
    Thibodaux, LA
  • Game start: 3:00 PM CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3:03
  • Game attendance: 6,192
  • Game weather: 76°F • Clear • NNW 11 mph
  • Referee: Kevin Hassell
  • Television network: CST
Sources:[8]
Scoring summary
18:25McNeese StateTavarious Battiste 34 yard pass from Daniel Sams (Trent Manuel kick), Drive: 6 plays, 66 yards, 2:327–0
210:53McNeese StateRyan Ross 6 yard run (Trent Manuel kick failed), Drive: 11 plays, 53 yards, 5:2213–0
21:51McNeese StateDaniel Sams 4 yard run (Jean Breaux kick), Drive: 14 plays, 90 yards, 6:4920–0
21:31McNeese StateKent Shelby 49 yard pass from David Bush (Jean Breaux kick), Drive: 1 play, 49 yards, 0:1227–0
20:27NichollsDamion Jeanpiere 52 yard pass from Tuskani Figaro (Francisco Condado kick), Drive: 5 plays, 70 yards, 1:0427–7
36:13McNeese StateAnthony Yruegas 0 yard fumble return (Jean Breaux kick), Drive: 2 plays, -20 yards, 0:2534–7
47:03McNeese StateTrent Manuel 36 yard field goal, Drive: 10 plays, 42 yards, 4:4137–7

Southeastern Louisiana

See also: Southeastern Louisiana Lions football and 2015 Southeastern Louisiana Lions football team
Southeastern Louisiana at McNeese State
1 234Total
#20 Lions 0 700 7
• #22 Cowboys 14 700 21
  • Date: October 10
  • Location: Cowboy Stadium
    Lake Charles, LA
  • Game start: 6:00 PM CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3:13
  • Game attendance: 13,110
  • Game weather: 80°F • NNW 6 • Sunny and warm
  • Referee: Ross Smith
  • Television network: CST/ESPN3
Sources:[9]
Scoring summary
19:57McNeese StateDaniel Sams 3 yard run (Trent Manuel kick), Drive: 10 plays, 86 yards, 5:037–0
15:00McNeese StateRyan Ross 58 yard run, (Trent Manuel kick), Drive: 7 plays, 94 yards, 3:1914–0
213:08Southeastern LouisianaXavier Roberson 1 yard run (Jonathon Tatum kick), Drive: 3 plays, 57 yards, 1:0414–7
21:27McNeese StateRyan Ross 4 yard run (Trent Manuel kick), Drive: 8 plays, 69 yards, 3:3921–7

@ Central Arkansas

See also: Central Arkansas Bears football, 2015 Central Arkansas Bears football team, and Red Beans and Rice Bowl
McNeese State at Central Arkansas
1 234Total
• #15 Cowboys 0 0721 28
Bears 0 3100 13
  • Date: October 17
  • Location: Estes Stadium
    Conway, AR
  • Game start: 6:00 PM CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3:27
  • Game attendance: 10,527
  • Game weather: 66°F • Clear
  • Referee: Kevin Boitmann
  • Television network: ESPN3
Sources:[10]
Scoring summary
23:13Central ArkansasJace Denker 42 yard field goal, Drive: 4 plays, 1 yard, 0:430–3
312:22McNeese StateDaniel Sams 5 yard run (Trent Manuel kick), Drive: 3 plays, 46 yards, 1:087–3
36:42Central ArkansasDominique Thomas 1 yard run (Jace Denker kick), Drive: 12 plays, 78 yards, 5:327–10
33:13Central ArkansasJace Denker 44 yard field goal, Drive: 6 plays, 52 yards, 2:087–13
414:50McNeese StateWallace Scott 45 yard fumble return (Trent Manuel kick), Drive: 5 plays, 10 yards, 2:1614–13
49:47McNeese StateRyan Ross 10 yard run (Trent Manuel Kick), Drive: 7 plays, 46 yards, 3:2421–13
46:56McNeese StateDaniel Sams 2 yard run (Trent Manuel kick), Drive: 5 plays, 16 yards, 1:5628–13

Northwestern State (homecoming)

See also: Northwestern State Demons football, 2015 Northwestern State Demons football team, and McNeese State–Northwestern State football rivalry
Northwestern State at McNeese State
1 234Total
Demons 7 3107 27
• #12 Cowboys 7 71320 47
  • Date: October 24
  • Location: Cowboy Stadium
    Lake Charles, LA
  • Game start: 6:00 PM CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3:28
  • Game attendance: 9,806
  • Game weather: 73°F • NE 8 • Cloudy, 40% rain
  • Referee: Kevin Hassell
  • Television network: CST
Sources:[11]
Scoring summary
114:47Northwestern StateEd Eagan 97 yard kickoff return (Chris Moore kick)0–7
14:22McNeese StateDaniel Sams 1 yard run (Trent Manuel kick), Drive: 12 plays, 58 yards, 5:227–7
214:56McNeese StateTavarious Battiste 29 yard pass from Daniel Sams (Trent Manuel kick), Drive: 8 plays, 62 yards, 3:1914–7
27:45Northwestern StateChris Moore 20 yard field goal, Drive: 16 plays, 74 yards, 7:1114–10
314:40McNeese StateKent Shelby 73 yard pass from Daniel Sams (Jean Breaux kick), Drive: 1 play, 73 yards, 0:2021–10
314:24Northwestern StateJoel Blumenthal 62 yard run (Chris Moore kick), Drive: 1 play, 62 yards, 0:2921–17
35:45Northwestern StateChris Moore 44 yard field goal, Drive: 11 plays, 44 yards, 4:3321–20
32:17McNeese StateRyan Ross 2 yard run (Jean Breaux kick failed), Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards, 3:2827–20
414:53Northwestern StateTuff McClain 42 yard pass from Stephen Rivers (Chris Moore kick), Drive: 5 plays, 73 yards, 2:2427–27
412:42McNeese StateDaniel Sams 52 yard run (Jean Breaux kick), Drive: 4 plays, 65 yards, 2:1134–27
45:25McNeese StateAustin Nelson 2 yard pass from Daniel Sams (Jean Breaux kick blocked), Drive: 5 plays, 49 yards, 2:3540–27
42:19McNeese StateRyan Ross 1 yard run (Jean Breaux kick), Drive: 5 plays, 15 yards, 2:5147–27

@ Abilene Christian

See also: Abilene Christian Wildcats football and 2015 Abilene Christian Wildcats football team
McNeese State at Abilene Christian
1 234Total
• #10 Cowboys 3 363 15
Wildcats 0 607 13
  • Date: October 31
  • Location: Shotwell Stadium
    Abilene, TX
  • Game start: 2:00 PM CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3:20
  • Game attendance: 3,567
  • Game weather: 65°F • NNW 13 • Sunny
  • Referee: Marvel July
  • Television network: ASN
Sources:[12]
Scoring summary
19:25McNeese StateTrent Manuel 28 yard field goal, Drive: 8 plays, 24 yards, 4:253–0
26:18Abilene ChristianDallas Sealey 9 yard pass from Herschel Sims (Zach Lehr kick blocked), Drive: 5 plays, 17 yards, 2:023–6
20:00McNeese StateTrent Manuel 27 yard field goal, Drive: 10 plays, 68 yards, 1:366–6
310:37McNeese StateDaniel Sams 2 yard run (Trent Manuel kick blocked), Drive: 9 plays, 69 yards, 4:1612–6
44:31McNeese StateTrent Manuel 23 yard field goal, Drive: 6 plays, 9 yards, 3:3615–6
43:54Abilene ChristianCarl Whitley 24 yard pass from Dallas Sealey (Zach Lehr kick), Drive: 2 plays, 75 yards, 0:3715–13

Sam Houston State

See also: Sam Houston State Bearkats football and 2015 Sam Houston State Bearkats football team
Sam Houston State at McNeese State
1 234Total
#7 Bearkats 10 000 10
• #9 Cowboys 0 14310 27
  • Date: November 7
  • Location: Cowboy Stadium
    Lake Charles, LA
  • Game start: 7:00 PM CST
  • Elapsed time: 2:58
  • Game attendance: 10,501
  • Game weather: 64°F • NNE 13 • Overcast with rain
  • Referee: Daniel Romeo
  • Television network: ESPN3
Sources:[13]
Scoring summary
19:38Sam Houston StateDarion Flowers 90 yard interception return (Tre Honshtein kick), Drive: 11 plays, 67 yards, 5:220–7
10:54Sam Houston StateTre Honshtein 20 yard field goal, Drive: 7 plays, 95 yards, 2:060–10
21:40McNeese StateDaniel Sams 64 yard run (Jean Breaux kick), Drive: 2 plays, 64 yards, 0:377–10
20:04McNeese StateKent Shelby 6 yard pass from Daniel Sams (Jean Breaux kick), Drive: 8 plays, 70 yards, 1:0614–10
33:48McNeese StateJean Breaux 23 yard field goal, Drive: 11 plays, 81 yards, 4:5317–10
45:20McNeese StateJean Breaux 27 yard field goal, Drive: 10 plays, 59 yards, 5:0920–10
45:11McNeese StateRyan Ross 20 yard run (Jean Breaux Kick), Drive: 1 play, 20 yards, 0:0927–10

@ Lamar

See also: Lamar Cardinals football, 2015 Lamar Cardinals football team, and Battle of the Border (Lamar–McNeese State)
McNeese State at Lamar
1 234Total
• #3 Cowboys 17 003 20
Cardinals 7 007 14
  • Date: November 21
  • Location: Provost Umphrey Stadium
    Beaumont, TX
  • Game start: 6:00 PM CST
  • Elapsed time: 3:11
  • Game attendance: 9,808
  • Game weather: 62°F • 17 mph • Cloudy and Windy
  • Referee: Randy Christal
  • Television network: ESPN3
Sources:[14]
Scoring summary
111:59McNeese StateJean Breaux 32 yard field goal Drive: 5 plays, 22 yards, 1:493–0
16:19LamarDedrick Garner 66 yard fumble recovery (Alex Ball kick)3–7
15:30McNeese StateRyan Ross 26 yard run (Jean Breaux kick), Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 0:4910–7
100:36McNeese StateDaniel Sams 32 yard run (Jean Breaux kick), Drive: 6 plays, 67 yards, 3:0417–7
48:46McNeese StateJean Breaux 31 yard field goal Drive: 8 plays, 35 yards, 3:4820–7
44:42LamarDevonn Brown 32 yard pass from Joe Minden (Alex Ball kick), Drive: 3 plays, 45 yards, 0:3320–14

Sam Houston State—NCAA Division I Second Round

See also: Sam Houston State Bearkats football and 2015 Sam Houston State Bearkats football team
Sam Houston State at McNeese State
1 234Total
• #6 Bearkats 7 17100 34
#3 Cowboys 10 766 29
  • Date: December 5
  • Location: Cowboy Stadium
    Lake Charles, LA
  • Game start: 7:00 PM CST
  • Elapsed time: 3:33
  • Game attendance: 13,493
  • Game weather: 57°F • ENE 3 • Fair, 45% humidity
  • Referee: Jeremy Parker
  • Television network: ESPN3
Sources:[15]
Scoring summary
111:58McNeese StateJean Breaux 43 yard field goal Drive: 4 plays, 4 yards, 1:233–0
14:08Sam Houston StateLaDarius Brown 54 yard pass from Jeremiah Briscoe (Tre Honshtein kick) Drive: 4 plays, 70 yards, 1:043–7
10:39McNeese StateKent Shelby 15 yard pass from Daniel Sams (Jean Breaux kick) Drive: 8 plays, 67 yards, 3:2910–7
213:32McNeese StateDavid Bush 4 yard pass from Daniel Sams (Jean Breaux kick) Drive: 5 plays, 27 yards, 1:3417–7
29:38Sam Houston StateCorey Avery 1 yard run (Tre Honshtein kick) Drive: 9 plays, 42 yards, 3:5417–14
24:30Sam Houston StateYedidiah Louis 22 yard pass from Jeremiah Briscoe (Tre Honshtein kick) Drive: 10 plays, 86 yards, 3:1117–21
20:00Sam Houston StateTre Honshtein 47 yard field goal, Drive: 12 plays, 51 yards, 1:5817–24
39:01Sam Houston StateTre Honshtein 24 yard field goal, Drive: 10 plays, 60 yards, 3:3117–27
32:22McNeese StateZach Hetrick 3 yard pass from Daniel Sams (Jean Breaux kick blocked), Drive: 8 plays, 66 yards, 3:5823–27
31:21Sam Houston StateYedidiah Louis 28 yard pass from Jeremiah Briscoe (Tre Honshtein kick), Drive: 5 plays, 50 yards, 1:0123–34
411:20McNeese StateTavarious Battiste 43 yard pass from Daniel Sams (two-point conv. failed), Drive: 7 plays, 51 yards, 3:3329–34

Ranking movements

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
RV = Received votes т = Tied with team above or below ( ) = First-place votes
Week
PollPre123456789101112Final
STATS FCS25RVRV25232215121093337
Coaches2323211715139975–T2 (1)2 (2)2 (1)9

References

  1. ^ "Southland Conference Announces Week Five TV Selections". Southland Conference. September 21, 2015. Retrieved September 28, 2015.
  2. ^ "McNeese Cowboys Schedule 2015". ESPN. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  3. ^ "2015 Football Schedule". McNeese State University Athletics. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  4. ^ "Blame it on the rain: Cowboys–Tigers washed out". McNeese State University Department of Athletics. September 5, 2015. Retrieved September 29, 2015.
  5. ^ "Incarnate Word (1–1) –vs– McNeese State (0–0)". McNeese State University Department of Athletics. September 12, 2015. Retrieved September 29, 2015.
  6. ^ "McNeese (2–0, 2–0) –vs– Stephen F. Austin (0–3, 0–1)". McNeese State University Department of Athletics. September 19, 2015. Retrieved September 29, 2015.
  7. ^ "Mississippi College (2–2) –vs– McNeese (3–0)". McNeese State University Department of Athletics. September 26, 2015. Retrieved September 29, 2015.
  8. ^ "McNeese State (4–0, 3–0) –vs– Nicholls (0–4, 0–2)". McNeese State University Department of Athletics. October 3, 2015. Retrieved October 8, 2015.
  9. ^ "Southeastern Louisiana (3–2, 2–1) –vs– McNeese State (5–0, 4–0)". McNeese State University Department of Athletics. October 10, 2015. Retrieved October 14, 2015.
  10. ^ "McNeese State (6–0, 5–0) –vs– Central Arkansas (3–3, 3–1)". McNeese State University Department of Athletics. October 17, 2015. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
  11. ^ "Northwestern State (1–6, 1–4) –vs– McNeese State (7–0, 6–0)". McNeese State University Department of Athletics. October 24, 2015. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  12. ^ "McNeese State (8–0, 7–0) –vs– Abilene Christian (2–6, 2–5)". McNeese State University Department of Athletics. October 24, 2015. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  13. ^ "Sam Houston State (6–3, 5–2) –vs– McNeese State (9–0, 8–0)". McNeese State University Department of Athletics. November 7, 2015. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
  14. ^ "McNeese State (10–0, 9–0) –vs– Lamar University (5–6, 4–5)". McNeese State University Department of Athletics. November 21, 2015. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  15. ^ "Sam Houston State (10–3) –vs– McNeese State (10–1)". McNeese State University Department of Athletics. December 5, 2015. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
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