2015 McNeese State Cowboys football team

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.

2015 McNeese State Cowboys football
Southland champion
NCAA Division I Second Round, L 29–34 vs. Sam Houston State
Conference	Southland Conference
Ranking
STATS	No. 7
FCS Coaches	No. 9
Record	10–1 (9–0 Southland)
Head coach	Matt Viator (10th season)
Offensive coordinator	Tim Leger (9th season)
Defensive coordinator	Lance Guidry (3rd season)
Home stadium	Cowboy Stadium
Seasons ← 2014 2016 →

2015 Southland Conference football standings

v t e	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

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 5	6:30 pm	No. 14 (FBS) LSU*	No. 25	Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA	SECN	Canceled[a]
September 12	6:00 pm	Incarnate Word		Cowboy Stadium Lake Charles, LA	ASN	W 43–6	12,804
September 19	6:00 pm	at Stephen F. Austin		Homer Bryce Stadium Nacogdoches, TX	ESPN3	W 28–14	12,018
September 26	6:00 pm	Mississippi College*	No. 25	Cowboy Stadium Lake Charles, LA		W 37–0	10,436
October 3	3:00 pm	at Nicholls State	No. 23	John L. Guidry Stadium Thibodaux, LA	CST[1]	W 37–7	6,192
October 10	6:00 pm	No. 20 Southeastern Louisiana	No. 22	Cowboy Stadium Lake Charles, LA	CST	W 21–7	13,110
October 17	6:00 pm	at Central Arkansas	No. 15	Estes Stadium Conway, AR (Red Beans and Rice Bowl)	ESPN3	W 28–13	10,527
October 24	6:00 pm	Northwestern State	No. 12	Cowboy Stadium Lake Charles, LA (rivalry)	CST	W 47–27	9,806
October 31	2:00 pm	at Abilene Christian	No. 10	Shotwell Stadium Abilene, TX	ASN	W 15–13	3,567
November 7	6:00 pm	No. 7 Sam Houston State	No. 9	Cowboy Stadium Lake Charles, LA	ESPN3	W 27–10	10,501
November 21	6:00 pm	at Lamar	No. 3	Provost Umphrey Stadium Beaumont, TX (Battle of the Border)	ESPN3	W 20–14	9,808
December 5	7:00 pm	No. 6 Sam Houston State	No. 3	Cowboy Stadium Lake Charles, LA (NCAA Division I Second Round)	ESPN3	L 29–34	13,493
*Non-conference game Homecoming 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

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
#25 Cowboys	0	0	0	0	0
Tigers	0	0	0	0	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

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Cardinals	0	0	0	6	6
• Cowboys	7	2	20	14	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

1	3:50	McNeese State	Derrick Milton 36 yard run (Trent Manuel kick), Drive: 6 plays, 62 yards, 2:33	7–0
2	1:39	McNeese State	Team Safety, Drive: 0 plays, -1 yard, 0:07	9–0
3	10:36	McNeese State	Trent Manuel 20 yard field goal, Drive: 10 plays, 62 yards, 4:24	12–0
3	7:38	McNeese State	Austin Nelson 2 yard pass from Daniel Sams (Trent Manuel kick), Drive: 4 plays, 39 yards, 1:50	19–0
3	4:03	McNeese State	Trent Manuel 22 yard field goal, Drive: 5 plays, 43 yards, 1:52	22–0
3	0:26	McNeese State	Daniel Sams 2 yard run (Trent Manuel kick), Drive: 7 plays, 36 yards, 3:37	29–0
4	12:01	McNeese State	Grant Ashcraft 2 yard run (Trent Manuel Kick), Drive: 5 plays, 22 yards, 2:09	36–0
4	7:15	Incarnate Word	Kody Edwards 11 yard pass from Jordan Scelfo (two-point pass conv. failed), Drive: 10 plays, 90 yards, 4:46	36–7
4	3:56	McNeese State	David Hamm 33 yard run (Trent Manuel kick), Drive: 1 play, 28 yards, 0:09	43–7

---

@ Stephen F. Austin

See also: Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks football and 2015 Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks football team

McNeese State at Stephen F. Austin

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
• Cowboys	7	14	0	7	28
Lumberjacks	14	0	0	0	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

1	11:15	McNeese State	Wallace Scott 97 yard fumble return (Trent Manuel kick), Drive: 5 plays, 77 yards, 2:25	7–0
1	8:43	Stephen F. Austin	Aaron Thomas 14 yard pass from Hunter Taylor (Nick Bruno kick), Drive: 6 plays, 79 yards, 0:00	7–7
1	1:35	Stephen F. Austin	Braxton Bearden 55 yard pass from Hunter Taylor (Nick Bruno kick), Drive: 3 plays, 57 yards, 1:28	7–14
2	10:17	McNeese State	David Bush 22 yard pass from Daniel Sams (Trent Manuel Kick), Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 6:13	14–14
2	5:11	McNeese State	Kent Shelby 5 yard pass from Grant Ashcraft (Trent Manuel kick), Drive: 10 plays, 64 yards, 3:28	21–14
4	6:05	McNeese State	Daniel Sams 76 yard run (Trent Manuel kick), Drive: 3 plays, 80 yards, 1:33	28–14

---

Mississippi College

See also: Mississippi College

Mississippi College at McNeese State

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Choctaws	0	0	0	0	0
• #25 Cowboys	13	7	10	7	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

1	7:56	McNeese State	Derrick Milton 4 yard run (Trent Manuel kick failed), Drive: 7 plays, 60 yards, TOP 2:39	6–0
1	3:57	McNeese State	Kent Shelby 40 yard pass from Daniel Sams (Trent Manuel kick), Drive: 3 plays, 52 yards, 1:15	13–0
2	14:26	McNeese State	David Bush 22 yard pass from Daniel Sams (Trent Manuel kick), Drive: 6 plays, 70 yards, 2:51	20–0
3	8:26	McNeese State	Trent Manuel 43 yard field goal, Drive: 11 plays, 33 yards, 4:20	23–0
3	3:43	McNeese State	Ryan Ross 2 yard run (Trent Manuel kick), Drive: 6 plays, 56 yards, 2:44	30–0
4	9:56	McNeese State	Grant Ashcraft 5 yard run (Trent Manuel kick), Drive: 11 plays, 76 yards, 4:55	37–0

---

@ Nicholls

See also: Nicholls State Colonels football and 2015 Nicholls State Colonels football team

McNeese State at Nicholls

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
• #23 Cowboys	7	20	7	3	37
Colonels	0	7	0	0	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

1	8:25	McNeese State	Tavarious Battiste 34 yard pass from Daniel Sams (Trent Manuel kick), Drive: 6 plays, 66 yards, 2:32	7–0
2	10:53	McNeese State	Ryan Ross 6 yard run (Trent Manuel kick failed), Drive: 11 plays, 53 yards, 5:22	13–0
2	1:51	McNeese State	Daniel Sams 4 yard run (Jean Breaux kick), Drive: 14 plays, 90 yards, 6:49	20–0
2	1:31	McNeese State	Kent Shelby 49 yard pass from David Bush (Jean Breaux kick), Drive: 1 play, 49 yards, 0:12	27–0
2	0:27	Nicholls	Damion Jeanpiere 52 yard pass from Tuskani Figaro (Francisco Condado kick), Drive: 5 plays, 70 yards, 1:04	27–7
3	6:13	McNeese State	Anthony Yruegas 0 yard fumble return (Jean Breaux kick), Drive: 2 plays, -20 yards, 0:25	34–7
4	7:03	McNeese State	Trent Manuel 36 yard field goal, Drive: 10 plays, 42 yards, 4:41	37–7

---

Southeastern Louisiana

See also: Southeastern Louisiana Lions football and 2015 Southeastern Louisiana Lions football team

Southeastern Louisiana at McNeese State

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
#20 Lions	0	7	0	0	7
• #22 Cowboys	14	7	0	0	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

1	9:57	McNeese State	Daniel Sams 3 yard run (Trent Manuel kick), Drive: 10 plays, 86 yards, 5:03	7–0
1	5:00	McNeese State	Ryan Ross 58 yard run, (Trent Manuel kick), Drive: 7 plays, 94 yards, 3:19	14–0
2	13:08	Southeastern Louisiana	Xavier Roberson 1 yard run (Jonathon Tatum kick), Drive: 3 plays, 57 yards, 1:04	14–7
2	1:27	McNeese State	Ryan Ross 4 yard run (Trent Manuel kick), Drive: 8 plays, 69 yards, 3:39	21–7

---

@ 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

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
• #15 Cowboys	0	0	7	21	28
Bears	0	3	10	0	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

2	3:13	Central Arkansas	Jace Denker 42 yard field goal, Drive: 4 plays, 1 yard, 0:43	0–3
3	12:22	McNeese State	Daniel Sams 5 yard run (Trent Manuel kick), Drive: 3 plays, 46 yards, 1:08	7–3
3	6:42	Central Arkansas	Dominique Thomas 1 yard run (Jace Denker kick), Drive: 12 plays, 78 yards, 5:32	7–10
3	3:13	Central Arkansas	Jace Denker 44 yard field goal, Drive: 6 plays, 52 yards, 2:08	7–13
4	14:50	McNeese State	Wallace Scott 45 yard fumble return (Trent Manuel kick), Drive: 5 plays, 10 yards, 2:16	14–13
4	9:47	McNeese State	Ryan Ross 10 yard run (Trent Manuel Kick), Drive: 7 plays, 46 yards, 3:24	21–13
4	6:56	McNeese State	Daniel Sams 2 yard run (Trent Manuel kick), Drive: 5 plays, 16 yards, 1:56	28–13

---

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

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Demons	7	3	10	7	27
• #12 Cowboys	7	7	13	20	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

1	14:47	Northwestern State	Ed Eagan 97 yard kickoff return (Chris Moore kick)	0–7
1	4:22	McNeese State	Daniel Sams 1 yard run (Trent Manuel kick), Drive: 12 plays, 58 yards, 5:22	7–7
2	14:56	McNeese State	Tavarious Battiste 29 yard pass from Daniel Sams (Trent Manuel kick), Drive: 8 plays, 62 yards, 3:19	14–7
2	7:45	Northwestern State	Chris Moore 20 yard field goal, Drive: 16 plays, 74 yards, 7:11	14–10
3	14:40	McNeese State	Kent Shelby 73 yard pass from Daniel Sams (Jean Breaux kick), Drive: 1 play, 73 yards, 0:20	21–10
3	14:24	Northwestern State	Joel Blumenthal 62 yard run (Chris Moore kick), Drive: 1 play, 62 yards, 0:29	21–17
3	5:45	Northwestern State	Chris Moore 44 yard field goal, Drive: 11 plays, 44 yards, 4:33	21–20
3	2:17	McNeese State	Ryan Ross 2 yard run (Jean Breaux kick failed), Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards, 3:28	27–20
4	14:53	Northwestern State	Tuff McClain 42 yard pass from Stephen Rivers (Chris Moore kick), Drive: 5 plays, 73 yards, 2:24	27–27
4	12:42	McNeese State	Daniel Sams 52 yard run (Jean Breaux kick), Drive: 4 plays, 65 yards, 2:11	34–27
4	5:25	McNeese State	Austin Nelson 2 yard pass from Daniel Sams (Jean Breaux kick blocked), Drive: 5 plays, 49 yards, 2:35	40–27
4	2:19	McNeese State	Ryan Ross 1 yard run (Jean Breaux kick), Drive: 5 plays, 15 yards, 2:51	47–27

---

@ Abilene Christian

See also: Abilene Christian Wildcats football and 2015 Abilene Christian Wildcats football team

McNeese State at Abilene Christian

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
• #10 Cowboys	3	3	6	3	15
Wildcats	0	6	0	7	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

1	9:25	McNeese State	Trent Manuel 28 yard field goal, Drive: 8 plays, 24 yards, 4:25	3–0
2	6:18	Abilene Christian	Dallas Sealey 9 yard pass from Herschel Sims (Zach Lehr kick blocked), Drive: 5 plays, 17 yards, 2:02	3–6
2	0:00	McNeese State	Trent Manuel 27 yard field goal, Drive: 10 plays, 68 yards, 1:36	6–6
3	10:37	McNeese State	Daniel Sams 2 yard run (Trent Manuel kick blocked), Drive: 9 plays, 69 yards, 4:16	12–6
4	4:31	McNeese State	Trent Manuel 23 yard field goal, Drive: 6 plays, 9 yards, 3:36	15–6
4	3:54	Abilene Christian	Carl Whitley 24 yard pass from Dallas Sealey (Zach Lehr kick), Drive: 2 plays, 75 yards, 0:37	15–13

---

Sam Houston State

See also: Sam Houston State Bearkats football and 2015 Sam Houston State Bearkats football team

Sam Houston State at McNeese State

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
#7 Bearkats	10	0	0	0	10
• #9 Cowboys	0	14	3	10	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

1	9:38	Sam Houston State	Darion Flowers 90 yard interception return (Tre Honshtein kick), Drive: 11 plays, 67 yards, 5:22	0–7
1	0:54	Sam Houston State	Tre Honshtein 20 yard field goal, Drive: 7 plays, 95 yards, 2:06	0–10
2	1:40	McNeese State	Daniel Sams 64 yard run (Jean Breaux kick), Drive: 2 plays, 64 yards, 0:37	7–10
2	0:04	McNeese State	Kent Shelby 6 yard pass from Daniel Sams (Jean Breaux kick), Drive: 8 plays, 70 yards, 1:06	14–10
3	3:48	McNeese State	Jean Breaux 23 yard field goal, Drive: 11 plays, 81 yards, 4:53	17–10
4	5:20	McNeese State	Jean Breaux 27 yard field goal, Drive: 10 plays, 59 yards, 5:09	20–10
4	5:11	McNeese State	Ryan Ross 20 yard run (Jean Breaux Kick), Drive: 1 play, 20 yards, 0:09	27–10

---

@ Lamar

See also: Lamar Cardinals football, 2015 Lamar Cardinals football team, and Battle of the Border (Lamar–McNeese State)

McNeese State at Lamar

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
• #3 Cowboys	17	0	0	3	20
Cardinals	7	0	0	7	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

1	11:59	McNeese State	Jean Breaux 32 yard field goal Drive: 5 plays, 22 yards, 1:49	3–0
1	6:19	Lamar	Dedrick Garner 66 yard fumble recovery (Alex Ball kick)	3–7
1	5:30	McNeese State	Ryan Ross 26 yard run (Jean Breaux kick), Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 0:49	10–7
1	00:36	McNeese State	Daniel Sams 32 yard run (Jean Breaux kick), Drive: 6 plays, 67 yards, 3:04	17–7
4	8:46	McNeese State	Jean Breaux 31 yard field goal Drive: 8 plays, 35 yards, 3:48	20–7
4	4:42	Lamar	Devonn Brown 32 yard pass from Joe Minden (Alex Ball kick), Drive: 3 plays, 45 yards, 0:33	20–14

---

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

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
• #6 Bearkats	7	17	10	0	34
#3 Cowboys	10	7	6	6	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

1	11:58	McNeese State	Jean Breaux 43 yard field goal Drive: 4 plays, 4 yards, 1:23	3–0
1	4:08	Sam Houston State	LaDarius Brown 54 yard pass from Jeremiah Briscoe (Tre Honshtein kick) Drive: 4 plays, 70 yards, 1:04	3–7
1	0:39	McNeese State	Kent Shelby 15 yard pass from Daniel Sams (Jean Breaux kick) Drive: 8 plays, 67 yards, 3:29	10–7
2	13:32	McNeese State	David Bush 4 yard pass from Daniel Sams (Jean Breaux kick) Drive: 5 plays, 27 yards, 1:34	17–7
2	9:38	Sam Houston State	Corey Avery 1 yard run (Tre Honshtein kick) Drive: 9 plays, 42 yards, 3:54	17–14
2	4:30	Sam Houston State	Yedidiah Louis 22 yard pass from Jeremiah Briscoe (Tre Honshtein kick) Drive: 10 plays, 86 yards, 3:11	17–21
2	0:00	Sam Houston State	Tre Honshtein 47 yard field goal, Drive: 12 plays, 51 yards, 1:58	17–24
3	9:01	Sam Houston State	Tre Honshtein 24 yard field goal, Drive: 10 plays, 60 yards, 3:31	17–27
3	2:22	McNeese State	Zach Hetrick 3 yard pass from Daniel Sams (Jean Breaux kick blocked), Drive: 8 plays, 66 yards, 3:58	23–27
3	1:21	Sam Houston State	Yedidiah Louis 28 yard pass from Jeremiah Briscoe (Tre Honshtein kick), Drive: 5 plays, 50 yards, 1:01	23–34
4	11:20	McNeese State	Tavarious Battiste 43 yard pass from Daniel Sams (two-point conv. failed), Drive: 7 plays, 51 yards, 3:33	29–34

---

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
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	Final
STATS FCS	25	RV	RV	25	23	22	15	12	10	9	3	3	3	7
Coaches	23	23	21	17	15	13	9	9	7	5–T	2 (1)	2 (2)	2 (1)	9