No. 23 Southeastern Louisiana (0-1, 0-1 SLC) vs. McNeese (1-1, 0-1 SLC)
March 6, 2021 | 6 p.m. | Strawberry Stadium | Hammond, La.
Series History: McNeese leads, 25-20
Last Meeting: McNeese 38, Southeastern Louisiana 34 (October 5, 2019 | Lake Charles, La.)
Television: ESPN+
            Announcers: Carson Fryou, Jace Lejeune, Lily Gayle
Radio: Southeastern Sports Radio Network (KSLU 90.9 FM, Kajun 107.1 FM, The Highway 104.7 FM, The Boss 103.7 FM/1400 AM)
            Announcers: Mark Willoughby, Robbie Rhodes and Allen Waddell
Game Sponsor: North Oaks Health System
Live Video | Live Audio | Live Stats | SLU Game Notes

HAMMOND, La. – For the first time in 461 days, college football is returning to Hammond, America, as No. 23 Southeastern Louisiana hosts McNeese at 6 p.m. on Saturday in Strawberry Stadium.
 
Saturday's league game between the Lions (0-1, 0-1 Southland) and visiting Cowboys (1-1, 0-1 Southland) will be televised on ESPN+ and can be heard on the Southeastern Sports Radio Network (KSLU 90.9 FM, Kajun 107.1 FM, The Highway 104.7 FM and The Boss 103.7 FM/1400 AM). Fans can also listen live at www.LionSports.net/listenlive and via the Lions Game Day Experience and TuneIn Radio apps.
 
Southeastern came up short in a 43-38 shutout loss to No. 17 Sam Houston last Saturday in Huntsville, Texas. The back-and-forth contest featured over 1,200 yards of total offense.
 
Southeastern is ranked 23rd in the Stats FCS Perform FCS Top 25, dropping five spots after losing a 43-38 shootout to No. 17 Sam Houston in the season opener.
 
The Lion offense had a big day, accumulating 536 total yards. Cole Kelley threw for 462 yards - the fourth-highest total in school history - and four touchdowns on 36-of-53 passing.
 
CJ Turner (11 catches, 150 yards, two touchdowns) and Austin Mitchell (10 catches, 142 yards) were the top targets for the Lions.
 
The Lion defense yieled 672 total yards. Justin Douglas and Herman Christophe led the SLU defense with eight tackles apiece.
 
Zy Alexander was credited with a forced fumble and Donniel Ward-Magee with a fumble recovery. Ferlando Jordan led the Lions with two pass breakups.
 
Southeastern had a good night in the kicking game, as Mateo Rengifo was a perfect 5-for-5 on PAT tries and made his lone field goal attempt. Rengifo also had three touchbacks on kickoffs, while Austin Dunlap recorded a 44.4 yard punting average.
 
The Cowboys opened the season with a 40-37 double-overtime victory over Tarleton State on Feb. 13. Last Saturday, UIW earned a 48-20 victory over McNeese in the Southland opener.
 
Quarterback Cody Orgeron has thrown for 372 yards and three touchdowns on 32-for-66 passing through the first two games, while also leading the team with 180 yards rushing and two scores. The Cowboys are averaging 30.0 points and 386.5 yards per game on offense.
 
Opponents are averaging 42.5 points and 463.0 yards per game versus the Cowboys. Mason Kinsey and Darius Daniels share the team lead with 17 tackles apiece.
 
McNeese placekicker Jacob Abel is a perfect 6-for-6 on PAT's and 4-for-4 on field goals this spring. Bailey Raborn is averaging 35.5 yards per punt for the Cowboys.  
 
Southeastern is 20-25 all-time versus the Cowboys. The Lions will be looking for its fifth straight win in Hammond versus their in-state rivals. Last season in Lake Charles, McNeese held off SLU for a 38-34 victory.
 
Up Next
The Lions welcome Northwestern State on Saturday, March 13 at 6 p.m. in Strawberry Stadium to open their home slate. The contest will be will be televised on ESPN+ and can be heard on the Southeastern Sports Radio Network (KSLU 90.9 FM, Kajun 107.1 FM, The Highway 104.7 FM and The Boss 103.7 FM/1400 AM). Fans can also listen live at www.LionSports.net/listenlive and via the Lions Game Day Experience and TuneIn Radio apps.
 
TICKETS
For ticket information, please contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net/tickets. Southeastern is implementing mobile ticketing as the primary source for securing tickets for the 2020-21 season. All tickets will be available via e-mail or text message in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet. SLU is scheduled to host McNeese (March 6), Northwestern State (March 13) and Lamar (April 3) this coming spring. Current state and local health and safety regulations limit capacity at Strawberry Stadium to 2,518.
 
INSIDE SOUTHEASTERN FOOTBALL WITH FRANK SCELFO
Inside Southeastern Football With Frank Scelfo, presented by Louisiana's First Choice Auto Auction, will air every Monday through the end of the season at 7 p.m. on the patio at Pour House Pizza and Beer Garden (505 West Thomas Street) in downtown Hammond. Hosted by Scelfo, the reigning Southland Conference Coach of the Year, and Allen Waddell, the hour-long show will air on the Southeastern Sports Radio Network (KSLU-FM (90.9), Kajun 107.1 FM, The Highway 104.7 FM and The Boss 103.7 FM/1400 AM WFPR). Fans can also listen live at www.LionSports.net/listenlive and via the Lions Game Day and TuneIn Radio apps.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Football, follow @LionUpFootball and @Coach_Scelfo on Twitter, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.
 
TOUCHDOWN CLUB/S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the football program are encouraged to join the Touchdown Club. Lion football alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.
 
All membership fees and donations to both the Touchdown Club and S Club (football) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern football program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Southeastern Athletics instituted a clear bag policy for all ticketed events, effective with the start of the 2018 football season. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/clear.