McNeese State Cowboys down Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 58-14 in home opener

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2013 TexSport Publications

LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (September 7, 2013) The McNeese State University Cowboys won their second game of the 2013 season by knocking off Universityof Arkansas-Pine Bluff Lions by the score of 58-14 in front of 15,217 fans at Cowboy Stadium in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

McNeese got on the scoreboard at the 11:40 mark in the first quarter when tailback Marcus Wiltz took the hand-off from quarterback CodyStroud and scampered 12 yards for the touchdown.  Ryan Rome’s kick was good to give the Cowboys a 7-0 lead

Arkansas-Pine Bluff battled back with a 73-yard drive that ended with a seven-yard run by Jamie Smith to tie the score with six minute remaining in the quarter.

The Cowboys found the end zone with 24 second left in the first quarter when Dylan Long plunged through the defense and over the goal line to take the score to 14-7.

The Lions would not be denied, as they drove 75-yards in six plays to add another touchdown to their tally on a two-yard run by Jeremiah Young at the 14:30 mark to again tie the score.

Diontae Spencer took the ensuing kickoff for the Cowboys and returned it 80-yard to the Arkansas-Pine Bluff 17-yard line.

Four plays later, quarterback Tyler Bolfing rushed seven-yard for the third touchdown of the night for the Cowboys to take the score to 21-14.

McNeese further extended their lead to 23-14, when they scored an additional two points at the 11:42 mark on a Lion miscue which resulted in a safety.

The Cowboys added another touchdown at the 10:11 mark on a Wiltz run and a Rome kick.

Both teams headed to the locker room at halftime with McNeese leading 37-14.

In the second half, McNeese continued its assault on the scoreboard with touchdowns by Ernest Celestie, on a 33-yard pass, and a 12-yard pass reception by Long, which took the score to 51-14.

McNeese added an insurance touchdown in the fourth quarter on a nine-yard run by Jontrey Tillman.

DE Chris Loveless, who played his high school football at South Houston High School (South Houston, Texas), was credited with three tackles and one tackle for a loss.

Offensively, Wiltz rushed for 115 yards on 12 carries and three touchdowns.

Stroud completed 21-of-30 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns.

The Lions were led by Smith, with 15 carries for 91 yards, while Benjamin Anderson completed 13-of-25 passes for 110 yards.

The Cowboys will next face West Alabama on Sept. 12 at home, while the Lions host Alabama State on the same date.