LAKE CHARLES – McNeese and Montana State has agreed to a contract to play one game on September 3 to open up the 2022 football season, Cowboys Director of Athletics Heath Schroyer has announced.
 
The Cowboys will receive a guarantee for the game from the Big Sky Conference and FCS power with no return date to Lake Charles scheduled.
 
McNeese and Montana State have played just once before, that coming in the 2002 season when the Cowboys won 21-14 in the first round of the FCS playoffs in Lake Charles. McNeese went on to play in the national championship game that season.
 
"I'm really excited to add Montana State to our schedule," Schroyer said. "I have a lot of respect for their program and administration. They are both first class and well respected. I believe playing a team like MSU in the early season will help prepare us for not only Southland Conference play but also in our quest to win a National Championship. 
 
"Bozeman is a fabulous city and this trip will provide a great opportunity for us to put together a first class trip and experience for our fans and boosters who will accompany the team to Bozeman. It's a win-win on all accounts and I'm excited we could get it done."
 
Also in 2022, the Cowboys will visit Rice on Sept. 10 and then host Alcorn on Sept. 17 to round out the non-conference portion of the season. The game against Rice will mark the first-ever meeting between the two schools with the Alcorn matchup will be the fifth in the series with the Cowboys holding a 4-0 lead.
 
McNeese 2022 Non-Conference Schedule
Sept. 3 at Montana State
Sept. 10 at Rice
Sept. 17 vs. Alcorn