The last time the Cowboys sat alone atop the Southland Conference was in November of 2015 when they won the championship.

The last time they had a winning record was after the opening week of the 2021 spring season.

Since then it has been a long road back for McNeese State football.

While it is very early in the season, the Cowboys lead the SLC after a thrilling comeback Saturday night over Stephen F. Austin. Granted, it was the only league game played so far this season, but it is better than being alone in last place.

And, with a win this week over Alcorn McNeese would be over .500 for the first time in head coach Gary Goff’s three seasons.

“It would be great,” Goff said at his weekly press conference Monday. “It’s not for me, it’s for these players. It shows we are obviously moving in the right direction.”

The Cowboys (2-2, 1-0 in the SLC) rallied to beat SFA 28-24 behind quarterback Clifton McDowell. However, there are issues.

Slow starts continue to haunt the Cowboys. They have outscored their opponents 78-28 in the second half, including 58-7 during the fourth quarter.

On the flip side, opponents have outscored the Cowboys 81-14 in the first half of their four games.

“We definitely want to get off to better starts,” said Goff. “We talked about it. We are trying to do something to spark these guys.”

McNeese also needs to clean up its mistakes. The Cowboys have been penalized 31 times for 317 yards and have committed nine turnovers. Last Saturday they were flagged for three unsportsmanlike penalties in the final eight minutes alone, two by McDowell.

“What an unbelievable comeback, but we had some penalties at the end that could cost us,” said Goff. “I’m upset about the emotional personal fouls. That will be addressed firmly.

“There is a way to act and a way not to act.”

The Cowboys played without All-American linebacker Micah Davey, who missed the game with a rib injury. Goff said Davey will also be out this week. 

Sulphur sophomore Peyton Lemaire made his first career start in Davey’s absence.

“(Peyton) did a good job,” said Goff. “Things started fast for him but then he settled down.”

Goff added that offensive tackle Elijah Melendez will be lost for the rest of the season with a knee injury and that the status of receiver Curtis Deville will be checked during the week.

McNeese returns to action at home this Saturday against Alcorn State (1-2) before hitting the road for over a month. The Braves have beaten the Cowboys in each of the last two seasons.

The Cowboys picked up votes in the AFCA Coaches Top 25 poll for the third straight week after the win and for the first time this season in the Stats Perform Media Poll.

Two Southland Conference teams are ranked in the Stats Perform poll – UIW at No. 15 while Lamar broke in for the first time and is ranked 22nd. Two future McNeese foes, Weber State (Sept. 28) and Nicholls (Oct. 26) are also receiving votes.

In the AFCA poll, UIW (No. 18) is the only ranked league team while Tarleton State is 17th. Weber State, Lamar and Nicholls are all receiving votes.