McNeese State quarterback Jake Strong has been recognized as the Southland Conference’s Offensive Player of the Week for the second time this season. This accolade comes on the heels of a standout performance in a 27-0 victory over Houston Christian University on October 20, 2025, at Navarre Stadium. Strong’s impressive display helped the Cowboys snap a five-game losing streak and improved their record to 2-5 overall and 1-2 in conference play.
“It was a good team win for us,” said Matt Viator, head coach of McNeese, during his weekly press conference. He emphasized the importance of building on this momentum, stating, “You’ve got to try and do it well again. The key is, can you rinse and repeat?”
Strong certainly made a case for that, showcasing his dual-threat capability. He rushed for three touchdowns and accumulated a total of 241 yards of offense. The sophomore transfer from Texas Tech gained 108 yards on 16 carries, averaging an impressive 6.8 yards per attempt. In addition, he completed 14 of 22 passes for 133 yards, despite throwing one interception.
“I was seeing the open hole, so it’s easy to run a straight line fast when it is wide open because the guys are blocking their tails off in front of you,” Strong explained about his performance. His touchdowns came on runs of 7, 7, and 34 yards, demonstrating his ability to find the end zone effectively.
Throughout the season, Strong has completed 108 passes out of 190 attempts for a total of 1,271 yards and seven passing touchdowns. He has also contributed with five rushing touchdowns, supported by 173 rushing yards. “We were just taking what the defense was giving us,” he remarked, particularly highlighting his success on first down plays. Strong achieved a commendable 7 of 9 for 64 yards on first-down throws, averaging 9.1 yards per completion.
Viator acknowledged the importance of success on first downs, noting, “We wanted to do better on first down to stay ahead of the chains. We ran the ball well, and that helped.” McNeese’s offense dominated time of possession, holding the ball for 38 minutes and 47 seconds compared to Houston Christian’s 21 minutes and 13 seconds. The Cowboys amassed a total of 270 rushing yards, with Coleby Hamm contributing 93 yards on 15 carries. Bryce Strong, who returned after missing two games due to injury, added 38 yards on nine attempts.
“After two weeks of watching, it was good to go out there and play,” Bryce Strong said, reflecting on his return to the field.
The Cowboys’ defense also made significant contributions, with two interceptions, including a diving pick by true freshman Brandon Jones, marking the first interception of his career. “When I saw his arm go up and the ball come out, I just had to go get it,” Jones stated.
Looking ahead, McNeese will face Nicholls State University, who currently holds a record of 1-6. The Colonels have suffered six consecutive losses after winning their season opener. A victory for the Cowboys would not only mark a crucial win but also give Coach Viator his 100th career victory. “I don’t think about that,” he said, adding with a smile, “I don’t even know how many I have,” referring to his current tally of 99 wins.
Viator stressed that the focus remains on continuous improvement. “The key for us is to continue to improve and continue in the process,” he added. The Cowboys aim to build on their recent success and finish the season on a high note. “We still want to put an exclamation point on this, not a period,” Jones concluded, echoing the team’s aspirations for a strong finish.
