LAKE CHARLES – For the second straight week and third time on the season, a McNeese Cowboy has picked up Southland Conference Player of the Week honors when Cody Smith garnered special teams honors following Saturday's win over Alcorn State.
 
A redshirt freshman from Baker and a Zachary High School product, Smith blocked a first quarter Alcorn State punt in the endzone which was scooped up for a touchdown by Jaylen Jackson to give McNeese a 21-0 lead.
 
Smith also recorded two tackles in the game and broke up a pass in helping McNeese post a 42-14 win over the Braves for the team's second straight victory while improving to 3-2 on the season.
 
He's the second Cowboy player to be voted as the league's Special Teams Player of the Week, joining Stephen Johnson who earned the honor following the win over Southern. Last week quarterback Clifton McDowell was named the SLC Offensive Player of the Week.
 
COWBOYS PICK UP MORE VOTES IN TOP 25 POLLS; WEBER STATE RANKED 25^TH IN STATS POLL
McNeese gained more votes in both of this week's FCS top 25 polls, now with 23 in the AFCA coaches poll, up from 18 points last week. McNeese saw an increase in the STATS Perform media poll with 18 points, up from three last week.
 
Weber State broke back into the STATS poll at No. 25 following its 39-0 win over Northwestern State. The Wildcats were ranked after week two but fell out of the poll following their 17-16 loss to Lamar in week three. WSU is receiving votes in the coaches poll with 28 points, just ahead of the Cowboys.
 
UIW and Lamar continue to rank in both polls. UIW is 18^th and Lamar 25^th in the coaches poll while in the STATS poll, UIW is 15^th and Lamar 19^th. Also ranked is McNeese's week zero opponent Tarleton State who is 16^th in both polls. Nicholls is receiving votes in both polls while Stephen F. Austin picked up votes in the coaches poll
 
In addition, Texas A&M is ranked 24^th in both the AP and USA Today Coaches polls.