Having already had one interception at the goal line Saturday night, Boogsie Silvera searched for a second.

However, the McNeese State safety came up short in his efforts…literally.

Alcorn State wide receiver Tryan Warren used all his 6-foot-4 frame and long arms to outleap the 5-11 Silvera in the end zone’s back corner.

The play led to the Braves’ first score of the night, a 32-yard pass play near the end of the first half. The Cowboys went on to a 42-14 victory, so no harm was done, except maybe to Silvera’s pride.

“Thought I had it,” Silvera said. “I was just out of my reach. Maybe if I was an inch or two taller.”

So far this season the redshirt sophomore has played big for the Cowboys’ resurgent defense. 

With All-American Micah Davey out the last two games with injury, Silvera has tied him for the team lead in tackles with 39, with 20 of them solo types.

Silvera leads McNeese in interceptions with two, which includes the one against Alcorn earlier in the second quarter that stopped a scoring drive. He has also forced a fumble and recovered another, giving him a hand in four of the seven turnovers created by the Cowboys.

“Boogsie is playing really well,” said McNeese defensive coordinator Tony Pecoraro. “He has grown a lot in the last year. He is now just a ball hawk, always attacking the football.”

Silvera has become one of the defensive leaders after paying his dues last season. Despite missing two games with an injury, the transfer from Southern Charleston University finished second to Davey last year with 68 tackles. However, he didn’t create any turnovers.

“That’s what I like, getting the ball back,” said Silvera. “You get to come off the field and put the offense in a position to score. That’s better than a big hit, but I like them too.”

He came to McNeese after the 2022 season having played just four games with the Buccaneers. 

“I was looking for more playing time and McNeese was the first place I visited,” Silvera said. “It became home.”

He said he didn’t ever think about transferring out after last year’s 1-10 season.

“Not once, this is family,” Silvera said. “You don’t leave family. I want to help turn it around.”

He is doing that as the Cowboys enter this week’s game at Weber State 3-2.

“We learned a lot last year, about fighting through tough times, sticking together, and just keep working,” Silvera said. “There is always a next play to make.”

Silvera is making his share of next plays.

“Boogsie is a killer back there,” said McNeese head coach Gary Goff. “All he wants to do is see ball and kill ball.”

He would also like to jump two inches higher, at least on one particular play.

“Next time I will get that one,” Silvera said. 

At least we know he will give it his best shot.