McNeese announces 2019 football schedule

LAKE CHARLES – Six home games, including a highly anticipated matchup to open the season on August 31 against Southern, highlights McNeese’s 12-game, 2019 football schedule announced by the athletic department on Monday.

In addition to hosting the SWAC runner-up, McNeese, under the direction of new head coach Sterlin Gilbert, will host the SWAC champion Alcorn State two weeks later on September 14. In between the two, the Cowboys will visit another Cowboy squad on Sept. 7 when they visit Oklahoma State for the first time in school history.

McNeese will again play a nine-game Southland Conference schedule beginning on Sept. 21 at Abilene Christian.

Sam Houston State is back on the schedule for the first since 2016 and will visit Cowboy Stadium on Sept. 28. In addition, McNeese will host Southwestern Louisiana (Oct. 5), Houston Baptist (Oct. 19), and Northwestern State (Nov. 2).

The Cowboys will visit Central Arkansas (Oct. 12), Stephen F. Austin (Oct. 26), Nicholls (Nov. 23) and Lamar (Nov. 23).

McNeese and Southern will be playing for just the second time in history. The Cowboys won the only other game by a 35-18 score in Baton Rouge in the 2004 season. The Jaguars were supposed to make a return trip to Lake Charles the following year but that game was canceled due to Hurricane Rita.

The Cowboys and Braves will meet up for the fourth time with McNeese winning the previous three games including a 34-27 victory in 2017 at Alcorn.

Not on the schedule this season is Incarnate Word and game times have not been set.

Season tickets for the season will go on sale later in the spring.

2019 McNeese Cowboys Football Schedule
Aug. 31 vs. Southern
Sept. 7 at Oklahoma State
Sept. 14 vs. Alcorn State
Sept. 21 *at Abilene Christian
Sept. 28 *vs. Sam Houston State
Oct. 5 *vs. Southeastern Louisiana
Oct. 12 *at Central Arkansas
Oct. 19 *Houston Baptist
Oct. 26 *at Stephen F. Austin
Nov. 2 *Northwestern State
Nov. 9 OPEN
Nov. 16 *at Nicholls
Nov. 23 *at Lamar