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

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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

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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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West Texas State 37 ea McNeese 24 A near Fecha EasNS pass performance by quarterback Stephen Starring and outstanding kicking by Tony Whit- tington and Brian Blanco highlighted McNeese State’s football game with West Texas State. Starring had the best single game passing performance of his career as he hit on 15-of-22 passes for 249 yards and one touchdown. And, he also scrambled his way for 38 yards rushing, giving him a grand total of 287 yards in the game. Whittington, a rookie from Baytown, Tex., and Blanco, a sophomore from Morgan City, were pressed into service as kickers for the Cowboys when Don Stump was out with an injury. Whittington, a bare-foot soccer style kicker, took over the placekicking duties and on his first collegiate field goal attempt, he tallied a 48-yarder, the sixth longest in McNeese history. He also nailed three straight PATs and consistently booted the football into the end zones on his kickoffs. Blanco, who also serves as a tight end, took over the punting ; chores and averaged 41.6 yards on three punts. In other areas, Buford Jordon and Dwayne Dartez led the team in pass receptions with four apiece, while Rus- ty Guilbeau and Johnny Spano were the leaders in tackles with 13 and 12, respectively. Guilbeau also had three behind the line of scrimmage stops. Quarterback Stephen Starring and defensive tackle Bill Kingrey were named the outstanding players for the game. Starring was honored as the top offensive player in the game while Kingrey was singled out for his perfor- mance on defense. 4 Foci iy y Pu - Se 2 ee eG ae Bin Above: Mark Farris confers with Coach Brevelle. = CHR } s hy i é — Carl Chenevert Troy Morris Joe Betts Sports ¢ 201 Above: Buford Jordon (24), Stephen Starring (12), Bret Martin (64). ;