THE OFFICIAL HOME OF McNEESE ATHLETICS

LAKE CHARLES - Devin Lippold threw for 199 yards and four touchdowns in making his first career start and McNeese shutout Texas Wesleyan 52-0 in Navarre Stadium on Saturday.
 
The win evened the Cowboys' record to 1-1 while Texas Wesleyan falls to 0-2. McNeese will host FCS top five ranked team Tarleton State next Saturday night at 6. Tarleton defeated Bowling Green on Saturday.
 
McNeese rolled up 500 total yards of offense, 280 through the air and 220 on the ground, and averaged 7.6 yards per play.
 
Lippold, who got his first start in place of Jake Strong who did not dress out after being injured in last week's opener against Stephen F. Austin, played until midway through the third quarter, completed 15 of 20 passes. He also ran four times for 11 yards. Backup QB Brady Barrier completed 5 of 9 passes for a touchdown and 81 yards.
 
Defensively, the Cowboys posted their first shutout since last October against HCU while holding the Rams to 187 total yards (74 rushing and 113 passing).
 
Special teams played a huge part on the night with a blocked field goal returned which was returned for a touchdown, and a blocked punt that led to a late second quarter field goal to give McNeese a 24-0 halftime lead.
 
McNeese put its first points on the board when Lippold connected with Solo Lewis for a 22-yard score, a play that was set up by a 28-yard catch by Curtis Deville to get the ball to the 22.
 
Javon Davis blocked a second quarter field goal which was scooped up by Safir Stills-Bey and returned it 70 yards for a touchdown giving the Cowboys a 14-0 lead. It's the first blocked field goal for McNeese since the 2024 season and the first returned for a touchdown since 2002.
 
The defense came up big again on the ensuing Texas Wesleyan drive when Sentario Willis picked off a Charlie Adamoli pass at the McNeese 8 and returned it 37 yards to the 45. Six plays later Lippold found Deville for a 10-yard score as the Cowboys built the lead to 21-0 with 5:28 on the clock.
 
Deaglan Camron added a 41-yard field with 1:49 to make it 24-0 as McNeese took that into the half, that being set up by a Jared Quenga blocked punt.
 
McNeese's offense exploded for 318 second half yards, mostly compiled by the backups. One of those being Marquez Davis who led all rushers with 67 yards. Hutch Swilley added 58.
 
Lippold found Elisha "Smiley" Edwards for back-to-back scores in the second quarter, one for eight yards and another that went for 36 yards. That put McNeese up 38-31 with 8:38 to play in the third quarter.
 
A Barrier to Wyatt Fontenot 46-yard touchdown connection with 12:09 left in the fourth made it a 45-0 lead. It was the first-career scores for each. Davis wrapped up the scoring with a 13-yard touchdown run with 4:07 left.
 
Kenyatta Fleet led the Cowboys with six tackles. RJ Staten, Royce Maloles, and Alijah Alexander each recorded a sack. Sentario Willis picked off a pass for the second straight game.
 
Gameday Notes:
• Devin Lippold's four touchdown passes marked the first 4 TD passing game since Cody Orgeron threw four against Nicholls in the 2021 spring season.
• Javon Davis blocked field goal in the second quarter was the first block for the Cowboys since the 2024 season opener (Stephen Johnson vs. Southern, Aug. 31).
• Safir Stills-Bey returned blocked field goal for a touchdown was the first since the 2002 season opener (Rod Gulley vs. Grambling, Aug. 31).
• Deaglan Camron's 41-yard field goal was his longest at McNeese and longest at the Division I level. His career-long is 44 yards when he kicked at Mount Union, an NCAA Division III school.
• Jared Quenga's blocked punt was the first for McNeese since 2024 vs. Alcorn State (Cody Smith).
 
Scoring Summary
1st 4:14 McN Solo Lewis 22-yard pass from Devin Lippold (Deaglan Camron kick), McN 7-0
Scoring Drive: 6 plays, 81 yards, 3:21.
2nd 11:48 McN Safir Stills-Bey 70 yards blocked field goal return (Camron kick), McN 14-0
2nd 5:28 McN Curtis Deville 10-yard pass from Lippold (Camron kick), McN 21-0
Scoring Drive: 6 plays, 55 yards, 2:20.
2nd 1:49 McN Deaglan Camron 41-yard field goal. McN 24-0
Scoring Drive: 7 plays, 17 yards, 1:48.
3rd 10:52 McN Elisha Edwards 8-yard pass from Lippold (Camron kick), McN 31-0
Scoring Drive: 9 plays, 59 yards, 3:58
3rd 8:38 McN Edwards 36-yards pass from Lippold (Camron kick), McN 38-0
Scoring Drive: 2 plays, 41 yards, 0:38
4th 12:09 McN Wyatt Fontenot 46-yard pass from Brady Barrier (Brettson Booker kick), McN 45-0
Scoring Drive: 4 plays, 85 yards, 1:50
4th 4:07 McN Marquez Davis 13-yard run (Booker kick), McN 52-0
Scoring Drive: 11 plays, 67 yards, 6:26