The 2020 McNeese State Cowboys football team represented McNeese State University as a member of the Southland Conference during the 2020–21 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Led by first-year head coach Frank Wilson, the Cowboys compiled an overall record of 3–4 with a mark of 2–4 in conference play, tying for fifth place in the Southland. McNeese State played home games at Cowboy Stadium in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
On August 13, McNeese State Athletic Department decided to postpone all fall sports with the intent to play in the spring. This decision canceled all games that were to be played from September through November 2020.
Preseason Recruiting class Reference(s):
Preseason poll The Southland Conference released their spring preseason poll in January 2021. The Cowboys were picked to finish fourth in the conference. In addition, three Bearkats were chosen to the Preseason All-Southland Team
Preseason All–Southland Teams
Offense
1st Team Cyron Sutton – Wide Receiver, SR
Defense
1st Team Darion Dunn – Defensive Back, SR
2nd Team Cory McCoy – Defensive Back, SR Cyron Sutton – Punt Returner, SR
Schedule
Game summaries At Tarleton State
Statistics McNeese StateTarleton State First downs 27 25 Total yards 400 408 Rushing yards 230 180 Passing yards 170 228 Turnovers 0 2 Time of possession 33:32 26:28
Team Category Player StatisticsMcNeese State Passing Cody Orgeron 14/34, 170 yards, 3 TDs Rushing Cody Orgeron 19 carries, 180 yards, 2 TDs Receiving Deonta McMahon 2 receptions, 35 yardsTarleton State Passing Steven Duncan 22/39, 217 yards, 1 TD Rushing Braelon Bridges 15 carries, 112 yards, 2 TDs Receiving Tariq Bitson 5 receptions, 87 yards, 1 TD
Incarnate Word
Statistics Incarnate WordMcNeese State First downs 22 24 Total yards 518 373 Rushing yards 209 171 Passing yards 309 202 Turnovers 0 0 Time of possession 25:24 34:36
Team Category Player StatisticsIncarnate Word Passing Cam Ward 24/35, 306 yards, 4 TDs Rushing Kevin Brown 10 carries, 117 yards Receiving Jaelin Campbell 6 receptions, 93 yards, 1 TDMcNeese State Passing Cody Orgeron 18/32, 202 yards Rushing Cody Orgeron 18 carries, 72 yards, 1 TD Receiving Joshua Matthews 4 receptions, 65 yards
At Southeastern Louisiana
Statistics McNeese StateSoutheastern 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 StatisticsMcNeese State Passing Cody Orgeron 13/20, 165 yards, 2 INTs Rushing AJ Carter 15 carries, 57 yards, 1 TD Receiving Severyn Foster 2 receptions, 75 yardsSoutheastern Louisiana Passing Cole Kelley 21/39, 301 yards, 1 TD Rushing Morgan Ellison 15 carries, 127 yards, 1 TD Receiving Javon Conner 5 receptions, 104 yards
Lamar
Statistics LamarMcNeese State First downs 21 18 Total yards 330 399 Rushing yards 223 321 Passing yards 107 78 Turnovers 0 1 Time of possession 38:15 36:45
Team Category Player StatisticsLamar Passing Jalen Dummett 8/11, 100 yards, 2 TDs Rushing Marcellus Johnson 6 carries, 86 yards Receiving Kirkland Banks 4 receptions, 41 yardsMcNeese State Passing Cody Orgeron 9/16, 78 yards, 1 INT Rushing Carlos Williams 16 carries, 90 yards, 2 TDs Receiving Jamal Pettigrew 1 reception, 31 yards
At Northwestern State
Statistics McNeese StateNorthwestern State First downs 20 21 Total yards 416 394 Rushing yards 110 33 Passing yards 306 361 Turnovers 1 2 Time of possession 30:36 29:24
Team Category Player StatisticsMcNeese State Passing Cody Orgeron 17/22, 306 yards, 2 TDs Rushing Josh Parker 16 carries, 77 yards Receiving Trevor Begue 8 receptions, 165 yards, 1 TDNorthwestern State Passing Kaleb Fletcher 13/18, 171 yards, 1 TD Rushing Scooter Adams 8 carries, 37 yards Receiving Javon Antonio 6 receptions, 103 yards
Nicholls
Statistics NichollsMcNeese State First downs 29 21 Total yards 562 541 Rushing yards 273 187 Passing yards 289 354 Turnovers 3 2 Time of possession 35:26 24:34
Team Category Player StatisticsNicholls Passing Lindsey Scott Jr. 26/53, 289 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT Rushing Lindsey Scott Jr. 28 carries, 137 yards Receiving K. J. Franklin 4 receptions, 76 yardsMcNeese State Passing Cody Orgeron 20/27, 354 yards, 4 TDs Rushing Deonta McMahon 11 carries, 111 yards, 1 TD Receiving Joshua Matthews 7 receptions, 147 yards, 2 TDs
At Sam Houston State
Statistics McNeese StateSam Houston State First downs 19 19 Total yards 328 392 Rushing yards 37 190 Passing yards 291 202 Turnovers 1 3 Time of possession 30:02 29:58
Team Category Player StatisticsMcNeese State Passing Cody Orgeron 27/42, 291 yards, 1 TD Rushing Cody Orgeron 18 carries, 18 yards Receiving Joshua Matthews 6 receptions, 95 yards, 1 TDSam Houston State Passing Eric Schmid 12/24, 202 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs Rushing Eric Schmid 15 carries, 92 yards Receiving Jequez Ezzard 3 receptions, 87 yards
Roster
References