Clifton McDowell led a comeback that turned a potential disaster into a thrilling comeback that could ignite a turnaround.

Led by McDowell, McNeese State rallied from 10 points down in the final 7:37 to stun Stephen F. Austin Saturday night inside Cowboy Stadium.

The transfer quarterback ran for two scores in the fourth quarter to lift the Cowboys to a 28-24 win, giving them their first SLC opening victory since 2018.

“What a crazy game,” said McNeese head coach Gary Goff. “Our guys battled and battled and battled. I’m proud of how they finished.”

The Cowboys improved to 2-2 overall and 1-0 in the league with the victory. SFA, which was returning to the conference after being gone for three seasons, fell to 1-2, 0-1.

“A win is a win,” said Goff.

McDowell scored on an 11-yard run with just 31 seconds remaining for the game-winner. Seven minutes prior, he ran it in from five yards out to give McNeese life. 

McDowell had a huge night. Not only did he run for two scores but he became the first McNeese quarterback since Cody Orgeron in 2021 to throw for 300 yards in a game. 

McDowell threw for 313 yards including scores of 54 and 23 yards. He also picked up an unsportsmanlike penalty after each of his running scores, earning him an ejection.

Down 24-14 with 13:03 remaining, the Cowboys caught fire. They drove 75 yards on 12 plays to cut the lead to three with 7:37 left. 

Then, after the defense held, the Cowboys took over at their own 20 with 4:45 to play. McDowell then drove them 80 yards on 12 more plays for the win.

“That’s what they brought me here for,” said McDowell. “We were trying to get it in the end zone. We had to put them away and send them home.”

McNeese’s comeback started on the last play of the first half. Down 10-0 and doing nothing on offense, the Cowboys found lighting with a 54-yard bomb into the end zone.

McDowell avoided the sack twice, scrambled back to the line, and launched a high throw to the end zone where Jihad Marks wrestled the ball away from two defenders for the score.

The play made ESPN’s college football highlight show. However, the Lumberjacks responded to start the third quarter with a 24-yard TD pass from Sam Vidlak to Blaine Greene early in the third. 

The two teams then exchanged scoring passes with McDowell hitting Jessie Campbell with a 23-yard strike and Vidlak responding with a 61-yarder to Isaiah Davis right after.

That set up the wild fourth-quarter comeback.

Despite missing All-American linebacker Micah Davey, the Cowboy defense bent but didn’t break much, coming up with big plays when needed.

Tristan Driggers finished with 14 tackles while Boogsie Silvera had 12 and forced a fumble.

“Micah is our guy, but it is always next man up,” said Silvera. “We all train as if we are a starter.”

The Cowboys finished with 449 yards of total offense as McDowell found 10 different receivers while ending his night 18-for-29.

McNeese will return to “The Hole” next Saturday for their final home game until November when they host Alcorn State. The Braves (0-2) have beaten the Cowboys in the last two seasons.