GAMEDAY CENTRAL

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The 20^th-ranked McNeese Cowboys hit the road for its first over-night trip of the season on Friday as it gets ready for its Southland Conference game here on Saturday against Incarnate Word.
 
Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium. The game will be broadcast on the McNeese Radio Network (92.9 The Lake and 929thelake.com).
 
The Cowboys (1-2, 0-1 SLC) are coming off a hard-fought 31-28 loss to Stephen F. Austin in last Saturday's league opener while UIW's comeback attempt at Nicholls fell a score short, 35-28). The Cardinals will enter Saturday's game also 1-2 on the season and 1-1 in league play.
 
"I think this will be good for us to get on the road and away from home," said head coach Lance Guidry. "We had a good week of practice and preparation.
 
"(UIW) Coach (Larry) Kennan is a classy guy. I really respect him. He's seen a lot during his career having coached in the NFL and college levels. They are much improved this year. It's going to be a good challenge for us."
 
Led by sophomore quarterback James Tabary who ranks third in the conference with 279.7 yards passing per game, the McNeese offense is ranked second in the league in that department 323.7 yards passing per game and is fifth in scoring with 27.7 points per contest.
 
Defensively, McNeese is second in scoring defense (21.3 ppg allowed), second in total defense (311.3 ypg), third in rushing defense (108.0) and fourth in passing defense (203.3).
 
Tabary has completed 66 of 116 passes for 839 yards with six touchdowns and just one interception on the season.
 
The Ross brothers rank 1-2 in the running game with older brother Ryan leading the way with 205 yards on 43 carries despite missing most the Stephen F. Austin game due to an injured groin. He's expected back for Saturday's game. Lawayne follows with 106 yards on 17 carries and leads the team with a 6.2 yards per carry average.
 
Kent Shelby is the team's top pass catcher with 16 grabs for 240 yards and two scores on the season. Darious Crawley follows with 11 catches for 210 yards and a team-high four TD grabs and Kylon Highshaw had 10 receptions for 158 yards.
 
UIW on offense ranks seventh in scoring (23.7), ninth in total offense (302.0), 11^th in rushing (66.0) and sixth in passing (236.0). On defense, the Cardinals are fifth in scoring (28.0), eighth in total (426.3), seventh in rushing (170.7) and ninth in passing (255.7).
 
Quarterback Trent Brittain leads the team behind center with 708 yards passing on 47 of 95 throws with six touchdowns and two interceptions. His favorite targets have been Jordan Hicks (11 catches for 210 yards) and Kody Edwards (10 catches for 185 yards).
 
In the backfield, Broderick Reeves tops the team in rushing with 130 yards on 40 carries with a score.
 
Saturday's game will be the third meeting in the series between McNeese and UIW with the Cowboys holding a 2-0 lead with wins of 41-21 two years ago here in San Antonio and 43-6 last season in Lake Charles.