There may not be a league title or playoff spot at stake, but there is a lot on the line Saturday night inside Cowboy Stadium.

McNeese State will finish out the season against rival Lamar in the annual Battle of the Border. However, there is more to this game than just bragging rights for each program.

The winner will finish with a share of third place in the Southland Conference and have a winning record. For McNeese that would be the first time that’s been accomplished since 2019.

Lamar is looking for its second straight winning season for the first time in the 1966-67 campaigns. The two teams enter with identical 6-5, 3-3 records. The Cowboys are also looking to go unbeaten at home for the first time since 2017 and the 16th time in program history.

“Having the first winning season here in a long time would mean a lot,” said McNeese head coach Gary Goff. “It would show we are on the right track.”

While Goff has said it would likely be a game-time decision when it comes to who will be the starting quarterback, sources have told the American Press it will be sophomore transfer Alex Flores who will get the call.

Flores will be the third starting QB for McNeese this season after coming in last week for redshirt freshman Kamden Sixkiller in the Cowboys’ win over Northwestern State. Flores was 8 of 14 for 62 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions against the Demons.

“We are looking for someone to manage the game and not turn the ball over,” said Goff. “We don’t need somebody trying to be the hero.”

Like the Cardinals, the Cowboys will try to run the football first. McNeese leads the Southland in rushing, averaging 197.3 yards a game. Lamar is second at 174.

Joshon Barbie has run for over 100 yards in each of the last three games while Bryce Strong has done it in the last two. 

Meanwhile, Lamar will be without its star running back Khalan Griffin, who will miss the game with an injury. Griffin is not expected to even dress for Saturday’s finale.

“Without KG this week, we’ll have to do some different things offensively to make sure that we can move the football,” Rosomando said. “He’s been a workhorse for us.”

Griffin ranks second in the SLC in rushing with 1,558, just four yards off the pace of Anthonio Martin of Southeastern. He has carried the ball more than any other back in the league and has seven touchdowns. 

Griffin’s absence should help a Cowboy defense that has been playing better with each passing week. McNeese has not allowed a touchdown over the last two games, only allowing a field goal in each one.

“Our players have been focused on attacking the football lately,” said McNeese defensive coordinator Tony Pecoraro. “They are out to finish strong.”

Linebacker Micah Davey hopes to play after missing much of last week’s game with a hip injury. Davey is just three tackles away from 300 in his career. 

While he is just a junior, Davey would likely be highly sought after if he decided to enter the transfer portal, meaning this could be his last game as a Cowboy.

Either way, it is a big game for all involved as the teams will try to end their seasons on high notes while keeping their rivals from doing the same.

“This is for bragging rights,” said McNeese safety Thomas Miles. “We got to win, that’s our rivalry.”

Rossomando made it even simpler.

“They are in blue, we are in red, it should be fun,” he said.