McNeese State University - Log Yearbook (Lake Charles, LA)

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Ball State 24 — McNeese 27 McNeese State’s speciality squads came up with two of the team’s three touchdowns in a three-point loss to Ball State and Lenoard Smith and Theron McClendon produced school records. Two of the Cowboy scores in the 24-21 setback at the hands of the Cardinals were an 82-yard kickoff return by McClencon and a 38-yard blocked punt return by Smith. The other tally was a 25-yard run by Buford Jordon. Smith, who last year blocked three field goals and one punt, now has five kick blocks to his credit (a school record). He later scooped up the football on Bernard Bell’s punt block and rambled into the end zone for the Cowboys’ final touchdown. McClendon put his name into the record books for yardage returning kickoffs. He ran back four returns for a total of 143 yards, the 82-yard jaunt being the fourth longest in the school’s history. Offensively, quarterback Stephen Starring accounted for most of the Pokes’ total 285 yards. He chalked up 102 yards on 14 carries and he completed six-of-19 passes for 78 yards. Other rushing statistics had McClendon with 61 yards, Jordon with 30 and James Galloway with 14. The long pass interception the Cowboys came up with was one made by Bill Kingrey on a deflection by Jonathan Mitchell while Mark Barousse and Jordon led the squad in pass receiving with two catches each. Linebackers Joey Granger and Johnny Spano were in on the most tackles for the Pokes. Tailback Theron McClendon and cornerback Leo nard Smith were named the outstanding players for McNeese State in the Cowboys’ battle with Ball State. Mark Smith Leonard Smith Dwayne Dartez Lonnie Collins Carlton Briscoe Sports ¢ 199

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McNeese 27 — S. Illinois 72 The Cowboys’ victory came as no surprise as quarterback Stephen Starring passed for two touchdowns and place kicker Don Stump booted two field goals in leading McNeese State to a 27-12 victory over Southern Illinois. The two field goals by Stump were the 35th and 36th of his career, leaving him only nine shy of the Southland Con- ference and the Louisiana State records. The nine points he posted in the Cowboys’ victory lifted his career total to 203, only six shy of the school record of 209 that is held by Larry Grissom, who scored most of his points on touchdowns. ws Elsewhere on the offensive side of the ball, tailback Theron a Sie McClendon had the hot hand rushing as he carried the foot- . ball 16 times for 94 yards while quarterback Stephen Starring accumulated 132 yards total offense, 43 rushing and 89 pass- ing. Tailback Munchie Jordan and receivers Dawayne Dartez and Brian Blanco produced Cowboy touchdowns. Rusty Guilbeau led in tackles with nine. Offensive guard Archie Moore and defensive end Rusty Guilbeau were selected the Players of the Game for McNeese State in the victory over Southern Illinois. Above: Defense lines up for play. Stephen Starring Mark Barousse Richard Goerlich Above: Coach Duplechin looks on with concern. 198 ¢ Sports

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McNeese 59 — Nicholls State 9 Playing with renewed vigor after a humbling defeat seven days past, the Cowboys destroyed the Colonels with a school record 635-yard performance that helped write a 59-9 epitaph on Nicholls’ tombstone. The Cowboys, who had averaged 222 yards via the rush in their first two outings, gouged out 472 yards, another school record, and averaged more than seven yards per rush. The Cowboys’ rushing attack was led by tailback Theron McClendon, who gained 172 yards on 16 carries, and Buford Jordon, who accounted for 137 yards and four touchdowns on the same number of assignments. The offensive blitz allowed Don Stump to score nine points, breaking Larry Grissom’s school record of 209 points for career scoring. Stump had now collected 215 points. The secondary accounted for six interceptions, with Derrick Batiste picking off two and Leonard Smith, Robert Davenport, Clay Rougeau and Joby Doucet each claiming one. The Cowboys put this one in the freezer early, scoring on their first three posses- sions of the game, and five of their six drives in the first half. Above: Carlton Briscoe (23). Right: Dwayne Dartez makes the touchdown. Cedric Patin Carlos Trevino Bret Martin Mark Helms Leroy Gedward Archie Moore 200 ¢ Sports