McNeese (4-5, 3-3 SLC) at HCU (4-5, 3-3 SLC)
Saturday, November 7, 2026 • 4 p.m.
Huskey Stadium • Houston, Texas
 
Broadcast Information:
TV: ESPN+ (LINK)
Radio: 92.9 The Lake and 929thelake.com (Link) – Tom Hoefer (PxP), Mark Young (Analyst)
Live Stats: StatBroadcast (Link)
Media Central: (Link)
 
HOUSTON - McNeese will once again attempt to get over the .500 mark in Southland Conference play on Saturday when it visits HCU.
 
Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Huskey Stadium. The game will broadcast live on ESPN+ and on 92.9 The Lake and 929thelake.com.
 
The Cowboys have won two of their last three games since the open date and three of their last four conference games. McNeese defeated Nicholls 16-3 at home last Saturday in a game that was played in a steady rain from opening kick until the final horn.
 
Because of that rain, both teams were compelled to the running game. McNeese's defense kept Nicholls from finding the end zone while forcing seven fumbles, three recovered, with the help of wet ball conditions. The Cowboys have recovered seven fumbles in the last three league games.
 
On offense, running back Omiri Wiggins recorded his third 100-yard rushing game of the season when he finished with 107 on a season-high 22 carries.
 
The Cowboys found the end zone twice, the first on a 32-yard catch and run by Hutch Swilley from Brady Barrier to make it 7-0, then on a 70-yard fumble return from Amyrion Mingo who scooped up a fumbled hold off a Nicholls field goal attempt.
 
HCU has lost three straight games heading into Saturday's contest and is coming off a 37-6 defeat at the hands of No. 2 ranked and first place Stephen F. Austin. All three off HCU's conference losses have been at the hands of the top three teams in the league (30-23 in overtime to UIW and 35-10 to Lamar). The Huskies defeated Southeastern 34-28 in the season opener when the Lions were ranked No. 19 in the FCS polls.
 
Statistically, HCU is fourth in the Southland in scoring offense (26.3 ppg) and McNeese is seventh (22.2). McNeese is fifth in scoring defense (26.8) and HCU is seventh (27.8). In total offense, McNeese is 5th (352.3), HCU is 9th (316.1). Total defense, HCU is 7th (401.3), McNeese 10th (445.6). Rushing offense, McNeese is 3rd (165.1), HCU 9th (138.1). Rushing defense, HCU is 8th (197.9), McNeese 9th (206.1). And passing offense, McNeese is 7th (187.2) HCU 8th (178.0). Passing defense, HCU is 4th (203.4), McNeese 10th (239.4).
 
The Matchup
Saturday will be the ninth meeting in the series between McNeese and HCU with the Cowboys holding a 6-2 lead. The Cowboys won 27-0 last year in Lake Charles.
   
Quarterback Jake Strong threw for 133 yards and ran for another 108 yards and three touchdowns to lead the offense.
   
The Cowboys won the first six games in the series then HCU won the next two in 2023 and 2024, including the last one played in Houston by a 43-22 score in 2024
   
McNeese head coach Matt Viator is 1-0 all-time vs. the Huskies while HCU head coach Jason Bachtel is 1-1 vs. McNeese.