The 2025 McNeese Cowboys football team represented McNeese State University in the 2025 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Cowboys played their home games at Cowboy Stadium in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and competed in the Southland Conference. They were led by eleventh-year head coach Matt Viator, who was back as head coach after previously coaching the Cowboys from 2006 to 2015.
Schedule
Game summaries
Louisiana Christian (NAIA)
Statistics LCUMCN First downs 10 39 Total yards 141 664 Rushing yards 19 305 Passing yards 122 359 Turnovers 1 1 Time of possession 22:03 37:57 Team Category Player StatisticsLouisiana Christian Passing Phillip Jones II 6/15, 65 yards Rushing Jaterrius Johnson 6 carries, 45 yards Receiving Edward Scott Jr. 4 receptions, 51 yardsMcNeese Passing Jake Strong 22/28, 329 yards, 3 TD Rushing Marquez Davis 12 carries, 97 yards, TD Receiving Logan Mauldin 3 receptions, 86 yards
at Louisiana (FBS, Cajun Crown)
Statistics MCNUL First downs 14 25 Plays–yards 56–238 67–401 Rushes–yards 26–47 45–315 Passing yards 191 86 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 19–30–1 14–22–0 Turnovers 2 0 Time of possession 25:43 34:17 Team Category Player StatisticsMcNeese Passing Jake Strong 19/30, 191 yards, INT Rushing Bryce Strong 7 carries, 17 yards Receiving Joshua Jackson 4 receptions, 83 yardsLouisiana Passing Daniel Beale 14/22, 86 yards, TD Rushing Bill Davis 19 carries, 132 yards, 2 TD Receiving KeDarius Wade 1 reception, 19 yards
Weber State
Statistics WEB MCN First downs 21 21 Plays–yards 69–447 72–537 Rushes–yards 49–229 33–259 Passing yards 218 278 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 11–20–2 20–39–2 Turnovers 2 2 Time of possession 32:43 27:17 Team Category Player StatisticsWeber State Passing Jackson Gilkey 11/20, 218 yards, TD, 2 INT Rushing Jackson Gilkey 15 carries, 114 yards, TD Receiving Jayleen Record 1 reception, 78 yards, TDMcNeese Passing Jake Strong 20/39, 278 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT Rushing Tre'Vonte Citizen 11 carries, 117 yards, TD Receiving Jonathan Harris 7 receptions, 114 yards, 2 TD
at Utah State (FBS)
Statistics MCN USU First downs 13 27 Plays–yards 68–239 75–627 Rushes–yards 40–109 47–334 Passing yards 130 293 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 11–28–0 19–28–1 Turnovers 0 2 Time of possession 28:46 31:14 Team Category Player StatisticsMcNeese Passing Jake Strong 7/23, 89 yards, TD Rushing Tre'Vonte Citizen 12 carries, 71 yards Receiving Jonathan Harris 1 reception, 20 yards, TDUtah State Passing Bryson Barnes 19/27, 293 yards, 3 TD, INT Rushing Bryson Barnes 13 carries, 128 yards, 2 TD Receiving Braden Pegan 3 receptions, 95 yards
at Stephen F. Austin
Statistics MCNSFA First downs 18 19 Total yards 303 381 Rushing yards 89 148 Passing yards 214 233 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 21-36-1 15-29-0 Time of possession 32:12 27:48 Team Category Player StatisticsMcNeese Passing Jake Strong 21/34, 214 yards, TD, INT Rushing Tre'Vonte Citizen 10 carries, 32 yards, TD Receiving Logan Mauldin 6 receptions, 57 yards, TDStephen F. Austin Passing Sam Vidlak 15/29, 233 yards, 3 TDs Rushing Jerrel Wimbley 29 carries, 171 yards, TD Receiving Kylon Harris 4 receptions, 111 yards, 2 TDs
Southeastern Louisiana
Statistics SELAMCN First downs 20 10 Total yards 418 189 Rushing yards 151 152 Passing yards 267 37 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 15–20–0 5–18–2 Time of possession 34:05 25:55 Team Category Player StatisticsSoutheastern Louisiana Passing Carson Camp 10/12, 173 yards, TD Rushing Deantre Jackson 5 carries, 64 yards, 2 TDs Receiving Brandon Hayes 2 receptions, 79 yards, TDMcNeese Passing Jake Strong 5/14, 37 yards, 2 INTs Rushing Jaylen Thompson 5 carries, 63 yards Receiving Trey Echols 1 reception, 12 yards
Houston Christian
Statistics HCUMCN First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsHouston Christian Passing Rushing Receiving McNeese Passing Rushing Receiving
at Nicholls
Statistics MCNNICH First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsMcNeese Passing Rushing Receiving Nicholls Passing Rushing Receiving
Northwestern State (rivalry)
Statistics NWSTMCN First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsNorthwestern State Passing Rushing Receiving McNeese Passing Rushing Receiving
at East Texas A&M
Statistics MCNETAM First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsMcNeese Passing Rushing Receiving East Texas A&M Passing Rushing Receiving
UT Rio Grande Valley
Statistics RGVMCN First downs 18 22 Total yards 365 414 Rushing yards 108 123 Passing yards 257 291 Turnovers 0 2 Time of possession 23:36 36:24 Team Category Player StatisticsUT Rio Grande Valley Passing Eddie Lee Marburger 17/29, 257 yards, 4 TD Rushing Nathan Denney 14 carries, 57 yards Receiving Tony Diaz 7 receptions, 134 yards, 3 TDMcNeese Passing Jake Strong 25/35, 275 yards, TD, 2 INT Rushing Coleby Hamm 13 carries, 49 yards Receiving Matthew McCallister 6 receptions, 140 yards, TD
at No. 19 Lamar (Battle of the Border)
Statistics MCNLAM First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsMcNeese Passing Rushing Receiving Lamar Passing Rushing Receiving
References