# 2020 Southeastern Louisiana Lions football team

The 2020 Southeastern Louisiana Lions football team represented Southeastern Louisiana University in the 2020–21 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Lions were led by third-year head coach Frank Scelfo and played their home games at Strawberry Stadium. They competed as a member of the Southland Conference. Although Southland institutions could have chosen to participate in limited fall competition, Southeastern Louisiana announced on August 13, that they would not compete in any athletic competitions in the fall.

## Preseason
### Recruiting class

Reference:
US college sports recruiting information for 2020 recruits :
| Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | 40$^‡$ | Commit date |
| A'Zyrian "Zy" Alexander Cornerback | Loreauville, LA | Loreauville HS | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | - | Dec 18, 2019 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| John Allen Offensive Line | Jackson, MS | Forest Hill HS Copiah–Lincoln CC | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 320 lb (150 kg) | - | Dec 18, 2019 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Kevin "KJ" Bickham Linebacker | Amite, LA | Amite HS | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Tijuane Bolton Defensive End | New Augusta, MS | Perry Central HS Mississippi Gulf Coast CC | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 245 lb (111 kg) | - | Dec 18, 2019 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Terrell Carter Wide Receiver | San Diego, CA | Madison HS San Jose State College of San Mateo | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Cade Collier Tight End | Mobile, AL | Baker HS | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 245 lb (111 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Raymond Cutler Defensive Back | Prattville, AL | Autauga Academy | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Blayne Delahoussaye Cornerback | New Iberia, LA | Westgate HS | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 160 lb (73 kg) | - | Dec 18, 2019 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Terry Delaney III Defensive Line | Baton Rouge, LA | Tara HS | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 315 lb (143 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Noah Devlin Offensive Line | New Orleans, LA | De La Salle HS | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 290 lb (130 kg) | - | Dec 18, 2019 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Ivan Drobocky Tight End | Bowling Green, KY | Bowling Green HS IMG Academy | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 230 lb (100 kg) | - | Dec 18, 2019 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Tyreshon Freeman Defensive Back | Prattville, AL | Autauga Academy | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Jack Henderson Safety | Mandeville, LA | Mandeville HS | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | - | Dec 18, 2019 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Kamron Johnson Defensive Line | Saraland, AL | Saraland HS | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | - | Dec 18, 2019 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Cam Jones Wide Receiver | Gonzales, LA | East Ascension HS | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 230 lb (100 kg) | - | Dec 18, 2019 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Jack Landry Kicker | New Orleans, LA | Brother Martin HS | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | 160 lb (73 kg) | - | Dec 18, 2019 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Jhy Orgeron Offensive Line | Galliano, LA | South Lafourche HS | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 270 lb (120 kg) | - | Dec 18, 2019 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Eli Sawyer Quarterback | Vestavia Hills, AL | Vestavia Hills HS | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 220 lb (100 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Rodney Sopsher Defensive Line | Amite, LA | Amite HS Southwest Mississippi CC | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 275 lb (125 kg) | - | Dec 18, 2019 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: N/A |||||||
| TaQuan Thomas Safety | New Orleans, LA | John F. Kennedy HS | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | - | Dec 18, 2019 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Javin Turner Offensive Line | Patterson, LA | Patterson HS | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 285 lb (129 kg) | - | Dec 18, 2019 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Dominique Webster Wide Receiver/Tight End | Prattville, AL | Autauga Academy | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Jacoby Wells Safety | Harvey, LA | Helen Cox HS | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | - | Dec 18, 2019 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Christian Westcott Quarterback | Mandeville, LA | Lakeshore HS | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | - | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Edward Wilson Cornerback | Port Allen, LA | Port Allen HS | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | - | Dec 18, 2019 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||

### Preseason poll

The Southland Conference released their spring preseason poll in January 2021. The Lions were picked to finish third in the conference. In addition, six Lions were chosen to the Preseason All-Southland Team
| Predicted finish | Team | Votes (1st place) |
| 1 | Nicholls | 67 (7) |
| 2 | Sam Houston State | 65 (6) |
| 3 | Southeastern Louisiana | 48 |
| 4 | McNeese State | 45 (1) |
| 5 | Incarnate Word | 32 |
| 6 | Northwestern State | 20 |
| 7 | Lamar | 17 |

### Preseason All–Southland Teams
## Schedule

| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| February 27 | 6:00 p.m. | at No. 17 Sam Houston State | No. 18 | Bowers StadiumHuntsville, TX | ESPN+ | L 38–43 | 2,612 |
| March 6 | 6:00 p.m. | McNeese State | No. 24 | Strawberry StadiumHammond, LA | ESPN+ | W 25–20 | 3,050 |
| March 13 | 6:00 p.m. | Northwestern State | No. 18 | Strawberry StadiumHammond, LA (rivalry) | ESPN+ | W 27–24 | 3,016 |
| March 20 | 2:00 p.m. | at No. 22 Incarnate Word | No. 16 | Gayle and Tom Benson StadiumSan Antonio, TX | ESPN+ | L 45–56 | 1,200 |
| April 3 | 6:00 p.m. | Lamar | No. 25 | Strawberry StadiumHammond, LA | ESPN+ | W 42–12 | 2,548 |
| April 10 | 3:00 p.m. | at No. 18 Nicholls | No. 23 | Manning Field at John L. Guidry StadiumThibodaux, LA (River Bell Classic) | ESPN+ | W 52–45 | 5,122 |
| April 17 | 12:00 p.m. | at No. 18 Southern Illinois* | No. 17 | Saluki StadiumCarbondale, IL | ESPN+ | L 48–55 | 2,400 |
| *Non-conference gameRankings from STATSAll times are in Central time ||||||||

## Game summaries
### At Sam Houston State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 18 Lions | 7 | 10 | 14 | 7 | 38 |
| • No. 17 Bearkats | 10 | 10 | 14 | 9 | 43 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| SHSU −4.5 | 54 |
| Statistics | Southeastern Louisiana | Sam Houston State |
| First downs | 27 | 26 |
| Total yards | 536 | 672 |
| Rushing yards | 74 | 244 |
| Passing yards | 462 | 428 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 33:02 | 26:58 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Southeastern Louisiana | Passing | Cole Kelley | 36/53, 462 yards, 4 TDs |
| Southeastern Louisiana | Rushing | Morgan Ellison | 12 carries, 29 yards |
| Southeastern Louisiana | Receiving | CJ Turner | 11 receptions, 150 yards, 2 TDs |
| Sam Houston State | Passing | Eric Schmid | 25/40, 428 yards, 2 TDs |
| Sam Houston State | Rushing | Ramon Jefferson | 12 carries, 139 yards, 1 TD |
| Sam Houston State | Receiving | Chandler Harvin | 7 receptions, 118 yards |

### McNeese State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cowboys | 3 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 20 |
| • No. 24 Lions | 3 | 9 | 10 | 3 | 25 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| SELA −11.5 | 62 |
| Statistics | McNeese State | Southeastern Louisiana |
| First downs | 20 | 26 |
| Total yards | 331 | 492 |
| Rushing yards | 166 | 191 |
| Passing yards | 165 | 301 |
| Turnovers | 4 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 30:59 | 29:01 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| McNeese State | Passing | Cody Orgeron | 13/20, 165 yards, 2 INTs |
| McNeese State | Rushing | AJ Carter | 15 carries, 57 yards, 1 TD |
| McNeese State | Receiving | Severyn Foster | 2 receptions, 75 yards |
| Southeastern Louisiana | Passing | Cole Kelley | 21/39, 301 yards, 1 TD |
| Southeastern Louisiana | Rushing | Morgan Ellison | 15 carries, 127 yards, 1 TD |
| Southeastern Louisiana | Receiving | Javon Conner | 5 receptions, 104 yards |

### Northwestern State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Demons | 14 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 24 |
| • No. 18 Lions | 0 | 7 | 7 | 13 | 27 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| SELA −15.5 | 62 |
| Statistics | Northwestern State | Southeastern Louisiana |
| First downs | 23 | 23 |
| Total yards | 422 | 477 |
| Rushing yards | 249 | 131 |
| Passing yards | 173 | 346 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 30:46 | 29:14 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Northwestern State | Passing | Kaleb Fletcher | 7/15, 96 yards, 1 INT |
| Northwestern State | Rushing | Scooter Adams | 19 carries, 100 yards, 1 TD |
| Northwestern State | Receiving | Marquise Bridges | 1 reception, 40 yards |
| Southeastern Louisiana | Passing | Cole Kelley | 28/39, 338 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Southeastern Louisiana | Rushing | Morgan Ellison | 10 carries, 81 yards |
| Southeastern Louisiana | Receiving | CJ Turner | 9 receptions, 72 yards |

### At Incarnate Word

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 16 Lions | 7 | 9 | 14 | 15 | 45 |
| • No. 22 Cardinals | 7 | 28 | 21 | 0 | 56 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| UIW −1.5 | 66 |
| Statistics | Southeastern Louisiana | Incarnate Word |
| First downs | 36 | 27 |
| Total yards | 553 | 655 |
| Rushing yards | 122 | 248 |
| Passing yards | 431 | 407 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 34:58 | 25:02 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Southeastern Louisiana | Passing | Cole Kelley | 38/60, 431 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT |
| Southeastern Louisiana | Rushing | Marcus Cooper | 10 carries, 56 yards |
| Southeastern Louisiana | Receiving | Javon Conner | 8 receptions, 107 yards |
| Incarnate Word | Passing | Cam Ward | 26/47, 407 yards, 6 TDs |
| Incarnate Word | Rushing | Kevin Brown | 13 carries, 190 yards, 1 TD |
| Incarnate Word | Receiving | Tre Wolf | 8 receptions, 183 yards, 1 TD |

### Lamar

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 2 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| • No. 25 Lions | 7 | 14 | 14 | 7 | 42 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| SELA −16.5 | 62 |
| Statistics | Lamar | Southeastern Louisiana |
| First downs | 15 | 26 |
| Total yards | 298 | 468 |
| Rushing yards | 181 | 123 |
| Passing yards | 117 | 345 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 34:26 | 25:34 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Lamar | Passing | Jalen Dummett | 10/15, 111 yards, 2 INTs |
| Lamar | Rushing | Jaylon Jackson | 12 carries, 69 yards |
| Lamar | Receiving | Kirkland Banks | 3 receptions, 36 yards |
| Southeastern Louisiana | Passing | Cole Kelley | 23/31, 321 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs |
| Southeastern Louisiana | Rushing | Cephus Johnson III | 3 carries, 48 yards |
| Southeastern Louisiana | Receiving | Javon Conner | 4 receptions, 70 yards |

### At Nicholls

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • No. 23 Lions | 14 | 3 | 21 | 14 | 52 |
| No. 18 Colonels | 10 | 14 | 6 | 15 | 45 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| NICH −5.0 | 74 |
| Statistics | Southeastern Louisiana | Nicholls |
| First downs | 25 | 30 |
| Total yards | 499 | 478 |
| Rushing yards | 81 | 217 |
| Passing yards | 418 | 261 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 4 |
| Time of possession | 33:36 | 26:24 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Southeastern Louisiana | Passing | Cole Kelley | 30/41, 391 yards, 4 TDs |
| Southeastern Louisiana | Rushing | Taron Jones | 10 carries, 31 yards |
| Southeastern Louisiana | Receiving | CJ Turner | 11 receptions, 110 yards, 2 TDs |
| Nicholls | Passing | Lindsey Scott Jr. | 19/38, 261 yards, 1 TD, 4 INTs |
| Nicholls | Rushing | Lindsey Scott Jr. | 11 carries, 90 yards, 1 TD |
| Nicholls | Receiving | Dai'Jean Dixon | 5 receptions, 92 yards |

### At Southern Illinois

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 17 Lions | 13 | 14 | 14 | 7 | 48 |
| • No. 18 Salukis | 14 | 20 | 14 | 7 | 55 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| SIU −2.5 | 63 |
| Statistics | Southeastern Louisiana | Southern Illinois |
| First downs | 34 | 36 |
| Total yards | 557 | 808 |
| Rushing yards | 117 | 424 |
| Passing yards | 440 | 384 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 32:26 | 27:34 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Southeastern Louisiana | Passing | Cole Kelley | 34/42, 418 yards, 2 TDs |
| Southeastern Louisiana | Rushing | Taron Jones | 7 carries, 43 yards, 1 TD |
| Southeastern Louisiana | Receiving | Austin Mitchell | 5 receptions, 109 yards |
| Southern Illinois | Passing | Stone Labanowitz | 20/24, 328 yards, 2 TDs |
| Southern Illinois | Rushing | Justin Strong | 16 carries, 159 yards, 2 TDs |
| Southern Illinois | Receiving | Landon Lenoir | 7 receptions, 128 yards, 1 TD |