# 2012 McNeese State Cowboys football team

The 2012 McNeese State Cowboys football team represented McNeese State University as a member of the Southland Conference during the 2012 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Led by seventh-year head coach Matt Viator, the Cowboys compiled an overall record of 7–4 with a mark of 4–3 in conference play, tying for fourth place in the Southland. McNeese State played home games at Cowboy Stadium in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

## Schedule

| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| August 30 | 6:30 pm | at Middle Tennessee* | | Johnny "Red" Floyd StadiumMurfreesboro, TN | ESPN3 | W 27–21 | 18,690 |
| September 8 | 7:00 pm | McMurry* | No. 22 | Cowboy StadiumLake Charles, LA | Cowboy Insider | W 69–7 | 13,291 |
| September 15 | 7:00 pm | at Weber State* | No. 19 | Stewart StadiumOgden, UT | Big Sky TV | W 35–21 | 9,617 |
| September 22 | 7:00 pm | at Southeastern Louisiana | No. 19 | Strawberry StadiumHammond, LA | The Southeastern Channel | L 24–25 | 4,791 |
| September 29 | 7:00 pm | Northwestern State | No. 24 | Cowboy StadiumLake Charles, LA (rivalry) | Cowboy Insider | W 30–22 | 10,532 |
| October 13 | 7:00 pm | No. 21 Central Arkansas | No. 19 | Cowboy StadiumLake Charles, LA (Red Beans and Rice Bowl) | Cowboy Insider | L 26–27 | 12,913 |
| October 20 | 2:00 pm | at No. 6 Sam Houston State | | Bowers StadiumHuntsville, TX | CSNH | L 10–45 | 10,151 |
| October 27 | 7:00 pm | Stephen F. Austin | | Cowboy StadiumLake Charles, LA | SLC TV | W 35–24 | 12,213 |
| November 3 | 3:00 pm | at Nicholls State | | John L. Guidry StadiumThibodaux, LA | SLC TV | W 42–10 | 5,299 |
| November 10 | 1:00 pm | at UTSA* | | AlamodomeSan Antonio, TX | | L 24–31 | 25,784 |
| November 17 | 7:00 pm | Lamar | | Cowboy StadiumLake Charles, LA (Battle of the Border) | Cowboys Insider | W 35–0 | 11,235 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecomingRankings from The Sports Network Poll released prior to the gameAll times are in Central time ||||||||

## Game summaries
### Middle Tennessee

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Cowboys | 0 | 14 | 10 | 3 | 27 |
| Blue Raiders | 3 | 3 | 0 | 15 | 21 |
After Texas A&M bought out the 2012 game scheduled against McNeese State, the Cowboys were able to find a replacement to open the season in the form of the Blue Raiders. It will be the first ever meeting between the two schools.
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | MSU | MTST |
| 1 | 12:40 | 6 | 34 | 3:20 | Middle Tennessee State | 20-yard field goal by Carlos Lopez | 0 | 3 |
| 2 | 14:53 | 11 | 55 | 3:53 | Middle Tennessee State | 28-yard field goal by Carlos Lopez | 0 | 6 |
| 2 | 9:20 | 11 | 70 | 5:33 | McNeese State | Josh Jordan 2-yard touchdown reception from Tyler Bolfing, Josh Lewis kick good | 7 | 6 |
| 2 | 0:33 | 10 | 87 | 5:43 | McNeese State | Champlain Babin 8-yard touchdown reception from Cody Stroud, Josh Lewis kick good | 14 | 6 |
| 3 | 12:00 | 8 | 51 | 3:00 | McNeese State | 46-yard field goal by Josh Lewis | 17 | 6 |
| 3 | 1:20 | 5 | 49 | 2:08 | McNeese State | Cody Stroud 1-yard touchdown run, Josh Lewis kick good | 24 | 6 |
| 4 | 6:58 | 17 | 97 | 4:17 | Middle Tennessee State | Anthony Amos 6-yard touchdown reception from Logan Kilgore, 2-point pass to Jordan Parker from Logan Kilgore good | 24 | 14 |
| 4 | 5:21 | 5 | 25 | 1:37 | McNeese State | 33-yard field goal by Josh Lewis | 27 | 14 |
| 4 | 5:01 | 1 | 15 | 0:20 | Middle Tennessee State | Kyle Griswould 15-yard touchdown reception from Logan Kilgore, Carlos Lopez kick good | 27 | 21 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 27 | 21 |

### McMurry

The Cowboys look to get rid of a goose egg when they meet the D2 Independent War Hawks. McMurry and McNeese State have met twice before, in 1957 and 1958, with the War Hawks owning a 2–0 record against the Cowboys.
| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| War Hawks | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| • Cowboys | 21 | 24 | 14 | 10 | 69 |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | McMurry | McNeese St. |
| 1 | 8:40 | 10 | 61 | 4:33 | McNeese State | Cody Stroud 1-yard touchdown run, Josh Lewis kick good | 0 | 7 |
| 1 | 3:01 | 7 | 62 | 3:11 | McNeese State | Javaris Murray 1-yard touchdown run, Josh Lewis kick good | 0 | 14 |
| 1 | 0:26 | 4 | 22 | 1:09 | McNeese State | Damion Dixon 10-yard touchdown reception from Cody Stroud, Josh Lewis kick good | 0 | 21 |
| 2 | 13:11 | 3 | 46 | 1:11 | McNeese State | Darius Carey 13-yard touchdown reception from Cody Stroud, Josh Lewis kick good | 0 | 28 |
| 2 | 11:40 | | | | McNeese State | Interception returned 41 yards for touchdown by Chris Raggett, Josh Lewis kick good | 0 | 35 |
| 2 | 5:46 | 9 | 83 | 5:13 | McNeese State | Darius Carey 52-yard touchdown reception from Tyler Bolfing, Josh Lewis kick good | 0 | 42 |
| 2 | 1:28 | 4 | 8 | 1:39 | McNeese State | 23-yard field goal by Josh Lewis | 0 | 45 |
| 3 | 11:21 | | | | McNeese State | Interception returned 30 yards for touchdown by Chris Raggett, James Bice kick good | 0 | 52 |
| 3 | 3:49 | 9 | 95 | 4:45 | McNeese State | Dillon Berlin 5-yard touchdown run, James Bice kick good | 0 | 59 |
| 3 | 2:28 | 3 | 4 | 1:21 | McMurry | Clinton McCoy 7-yard touchdown reception from Brady Lambert, Josh King kick good | 7 | 59 |
| 4 | 12:11 | 9 | 37 | 5:27 | McNeese State | 27-yard field goal by James Bice | 7 | 62 |
| 4 | 10:43 | 3 | 32 | 1:18 | McNeese State | Kelvin Bennett 17-yard touchdown run, James Bice kick good | 7 | 69 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 7 | 69 |

### Weber State

The Cowboys and Wildcats meet for the third time in 2012 with the series even at 1–1, the last having taken place in 1990 with Weber prevailing 27–7. The Wildcats will head to Lake Charles in 2013 as part of this home-and-home series.
| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • #19 Cowboys | 0 | 14 | 7 | 14 | 35 |
| Wildcats | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 21 |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | McNeese St. | Weber St. |
| 2 | 4:00 | 9 | 80 | 4:01 | McNeese State | Darius Casey 3-yard touchdown run, Josh Lewis kick good | 7 | 0 |
| 2 | 00:16 | 11 | 80 | 2:47 | McNeese State | Cody Stroud 4-yard touchdown run, Josh Lewis kick good | 14 | 0 |
| 3 | 11:25 | 7 | 33 | 1:59 | Weber State | Shaydon Kehano 10-yard touchdown reception from Mike Hoke, Shaun McClain kick good | 14 | 7 |
| 3 | 10:07 | 1 | 91 | 0:13 | McNeese State | Dionate Spencer 91-yard touchdown run, Josh Lewis kick good | 21 | 7 |
| 4 | 10:56 | 8 | 49 | 3:56 | McNeese State | Jereon McGilvery 8-yard touchdown reception from Cody Stroud, Josh Lewis kick good | 28 | 7 |
| 4 | 6:45 | 2 | 80 | 0:51 | McNeese State | Javaris Murray 76-yard touchdown run, Josh Lewis kick good | 35 | 7 |
| 4 | 3:50 | 10 | 66 | 2:49 | Weber State | C. J. Tuckett 2-yard touchdown run, Shaun McClain kick good | 35 | 14 |
| 4 | 00:20 | 7 | 63 | 1:01 | Weber State | Jordan Adamczyk 3-yard touchdown run, Shaun McClain kick good | 35 | 21 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 35 | 21 |

### Southeastern Louisiana

SLC play begins with this match against the Lions. The Cowboys currently own a 22–15 record against the Lions.
| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cowboys | 14 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| • Lions | 3 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 25 |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | McNeese St. | SE Louisiana |
| 1 | 7:39 | 9 | 63 | 4:48 | McNeese State | Cody Stroud 1-yard touchdown run, Josh Lewis kick good | 7 | 0 |
| 1 | 6:22 | 4 | 21 | 1:11 | McNeese State | Kendale Thomas 8-yard touchdown reception from Cody Stroud, Josh Lewis kick good | 14 | 0 |
| 1 | 0:04 | 15 | 49 | 6:10 | Southeastern Louisiana | 49-yard field goal by Seth Sebastian | 14 | 3 |
| 2 | 10:01 | 2 | 41 | 0:26 | Southeastern Louisiana | Nathan Stanley 2-yard touchdown run, Seth Sebastian kick good | 14 | 10 |
| 2 | 8:41 | 3 | 72 | 1:15 | McNeese State | Javaris Murray 26-yard touchdown reception from Cody Stroud, Josh Lewis kick good | 21 | 10 |
| 2 | 0:03 | 17 | 60 | 4:06 | McNeese State | 30-yard field goal by Josh Lewis | 24 | 10 |
| 3 | 3:26 | 15 | 86 | 7:03 | Southeastern Louisiana | Michael Chaney 2-yard touchdown run, Seth Sebastian kick good | 24 | 17 |
| 4 | 2:39 | 17 | 80 | 6:25 | Southeastern Louisiana | Taylor Jenkins 2-yard touchdown reception from Nathan Stanley, 2-point run by Michael Chaney good | 24 | 25 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 24 | 25 |

### Northwestern State

SLC play continues when the Demons and Cowboys meet with the Cowboys owning a 40–20–1 record against Northwestern State.
| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Demons | 0 | 0 | 14 | 8 | 22 |
| • Cowboys | 7 | 10 | 3 | 10 | 30 |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | Northwestern St. | McNeese St. |
| 1 | 6:29 | 5 | 52 | 2:23 | McNeese State | Josh Jordan 17-yard touchdown reception from Cody Stroud, Josh Lewis kick good | 0 | 7 |
| 2 | 14:07 | 5 | 73 | 1:52 | McNeese State | Diontae Spencer 43-yard touchdown reception from Cody Stroud, Josh Lewis kick good | 0 | 14 |
| 2 | 0:00 | 14 | 64 | 2:48 | McNeese State | 17-yard field goal by Josh Lewis | 0 | 17 |
| 3 | 13:56 | 3 | 34 | 1:04 | Northwestern State | Clifton Brown 18-yard touchdown reception from Brad Henderson, John Shaughnessy kick good | 7 | 17 |
| 3 | 4:33 | 18 | 64 | 9:23 | McNeese State | 21-yard field goal by Josh Lewis | 7 | 20 |
| 3 | 2:44 | 6 | 74 | 1:49 | Northwestern State | Phillip Harvey 41-yard touchdown reception from Brad Henderson, John Shaughnessy kick good | 14 | 20 |
| 4 | 10:19 | 4 | 7 | 2:03 | McNeese State | 31-yard field goal by Josh Lewis | 14 | 23 |
| 4 | 9:28 | 2 | 22 | 0:47 | McNeese State | Javaris Murray 18-yard touchdown run, Josh Lewis kick good | 14 | 30 |
| 4 | 5:58 | 11 | 98 | 3:30 | Northwestern State | Jovhan Jilbert 58-yard touchdown reception from Brad Henderson, 2-point Jovhan Jilbert pass to Robert Walker good | 22 | 30 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 22 | 30 |

### Central Arkansas

Central Arkansas heads to Cowboy Stadium in 2012. The Cowboys are 3–3 against the Bears.
| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Bears | 7 | 3 | 0 | 17 | 27 |
| Cowboys | 3 | 9 | 0 | 14 | 26 |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | C. Arkansas | McNeese St. |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 27 | 26 |

### Sam Houston State

The defending conference champions appear near the end of November. The Cowboys own a 24–8–1 record against Sam Houston State, but the Bearkats have won the recent games.
| | 1 | 2 | Total |
| Cowboys | | | 0 |
| Bearkats | | | 0 |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | MSU | SHSU |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | | |

### Stephen F. Austin

An attempt to pull further away from the Lumberjacks takes place in this 2012 contest. The Cowboys own a 16–13–2 record against the Lumberjacks.
| | 1 | 2 | Total |
| Lumberjacks | | | 0 |
| Cowboys | | | 0 |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | SFA | MSU |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | | |

### Nicholls State

The Cowboys open November with the Colonels. It's the 37th meeting with the Cowboys owning a 25–11 advantage in the series.
| | 1 | 2 | Total |
| Cowboys | | | 0 |
| Colonels | | | 0 |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | MSU | NSU |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | | |

### UTSA

The Roadrunners stand as the final non-conference team until playoff time comes for the Cowboys in 2012. It's the second meeting between the 2 with McNeese having won the 2011 match.
| | 1 | 2 | Total |
| Cowboys | | | 0 |
| Roadrunners | | | 0 |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | MSU | UTSA |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | | |

### Lamar

The 31st meeting between the Cardinals and Cowboys closes the 2012 SLC season. The Cowboys own a 21–8–1 record against the Cardinals.
| | 1 | 2 | Total |
| Cardinals | | | 0 |
| Cowboys | | | 0 |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | Lamar | MSU |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | | |

## Ranking movements

Ranking movements Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking RV = Received votes :
| | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week |
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | Final |
| Sports Network | RV | 22 | 19 | 19 | 24 | 21 | 19 | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV |
| Coaches | RV | 21 | 19 | 17 | 21 | 18 | 15 | 21 | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV |

## Media

All McNeese State games will be broadcast on Gator 99.5 FM. KVHP 30.2 is the local affiliate for SLC TV and will air McNeese State games on SLC TV.