Second chances don’t always come around, but twice in eight days seems a little much.

For the second time in as many weeks, McNeese State will face a nationally ranked opponent that had beaten them four weeks earlier.

The Cowboys hope the similarity doesn’t end there.

After knocking off then 16th-ranked Incarnate Word at home last Saturday, the improving Cowboys take on No. 8 Southeastern Louisiana at 6 p.m. in Hammond.

“We get another shot at a true rival,” said McNeese head coach Frank Wilson. “We have been close. Our focus is to get over the hump.”

At 3-4 overall and 2-2 in the Southland Conference, McNeese has a shot at winning the league title, but beating the Lions (6-1, 4-0) is a must to keep that hope alive.

“The league championship goes through Hammond,” Wilson said. “We are still hungry.”

After the emotional win over UIW, the Cowboys claim there will be no letdown this week as they look for a third consecutive victory. As for winning two straight against ranked teams, McNeese hasn’t accomplished that since 2002 while on its way to the Division I-AA national title game.

“Who knows? We might just win the rest of them,” Cowboys defensive end Isaiah Chambers said.

Chambers is coming off a four-sack performance against UIW, as the team sacked Cardinals quarterback Cameron Ward 10 times. The Cowboys also made three interceptions.

That got the attention of Southeastern head coach Frank Scelfo.

“I have never even heard of anything like 10 sacks,” Scelfo said. “Their defensive front, their defense, is the best we have played all year. Their ends really get after the quarterback.”

McNeese fell short of pulling off an upset the first time the teams met this fall, losing 38-35 despite rallying for a 24-7 halftime deficit. Since that first half, McNeese has outscored its opponents 91-51.

“We are playing the same opponent but they are not the same team,” Scelfo said. “They are playing much better. We are going to be in for a fight.”

The last three times the teams have met the game has been decided by one possession.

“It always comes down to that,” Scelfo said.

If McNeese is to pull the upset and get back in the SLC race it must do what it did last week: stop a big-time quarterback. Cole Kelley is the top passer in the Football Championship Subdivision. He has thrown for 2,742 yards and 26 touchdowns over the seven games.

The reigning Walter Payton Award winner — the Heisman Trophy in FCS — has produced 5,752 yards of total offense and been responsible for 49 touchdowns in 14 games over the spring and fall seasons.

“He’s a whole lot of man to hit,” said McNeese defensive end Mason Kinsey. “You have to keep him in the pocket and have to tackle him.”

Linebacker Kordell Williams had 17 tackles the last time the teams met, including running into Kelley often.

McNeese will counter with an improved run game that has helped keep other offenses off the field. Deonta McMahon, subbing for an injured Stephon Huderson, ran for 82 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries. Huderson will be back Saturday but likely on a limited basis, Wilson said.

The last time the teams met, quarterback Cody Orgeron led McNeese on the ground with 77 yards. He also threw for 249 yards and three scores, two to Mason Pierce who added a rushing score.

“Their quarterback, Orgeron, really controls the game,” Scelfo said. “They don’t make mistakes.”