Matt Viator needed just one game back in Lake Charles to stand alone atop the McNeese State history.
The Cowboys rolled past Louisiana Christian, 54-9, on Saturday in the opener to both the 2025 season and the coach’s second tenure leading the program.
Viator had previously coached his alma mater to 78 wins from 2006-2015 — tying Bobby Keasler’s total from 1990-1998 — before spending five seasons as ULM’s head coach and four on the Louisiana (Lafayette) staff.
And the Cowboys quickly moved his total to sole possession of the mark on a night highlighted by multiple records.
McNeese State racked up 664 total offensive yards to overtake a previous best that had stood for more than two decades.
And sophomore quarterback Jake Strong, a transfer from Texas Tech, became the first players in program history to throw for more than 300 yards in his debut with his 22-for-28 performance for 329 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.
LA TECH SHUTS OUT SOUTHEASTERN
Louisiana football programs along the Interstate 20 corridor were stingy to their guests this weekend — even those from elsewhere in the state.
Louisiana Tech shut out visiting Southeastern Louisiana, 24-0, on Saturday to join ULM in blanking their Week 1 opponents.
Linebackers Kolbe Fields (Archbishop Rummel) and Sifa Leota each racked up 13 tackles, and Mekhi Mason added nine, including 4.5 for loss and two sacks.
Defensive back Jakari Foster and defensive lineman Zion Nason snatched interceptions, and former Oak Grove star Kam Franklin returned a fumble 80 yards to the house late in the third quarter to blow the game further open.
The Bulldogs scored a pair of offensive touchdowns: a 17-yard pass from Trey Kukuk to former Acadiana standout Omiri Wiggins, and a 2-yard run by Clay Thevenin.
GRAMBLING STATE SHOWS OUT IN SHREVEPORT
Grambling State didn’t quite join ULM and Louisiana Tech with a shutout, but came close in a dominant, 55-7 rout of Langston.
The Tigers allowed just 97 yards, took away three turnovers and led, 55-0, until a fourth-quarter score by the Lions.
Several Louisiana natives were among the leaders of the defense with former Scotlandville edge rusher Bryce Cage recording four tackles, 1.5 stops behind the line and two hurries, while Tyrell Raby (Madison Prep) and Katrevrick Banks (Homer) took away an interception and a fumble, respectively.
Sophomore quarterback C’Zavian Teasett finished 20-for-25 (80%) for 203 yards and three touchdowns — including an all-Scotlandville connection to Covadis “C.J.” Knighten — in his GSU debut after transferring from Southern this past winter.
GIVENS LEADS SOUTHERN CHARGE PAST MVSU
The Jaguars shook back from their season-opening loss to best Mississippi Valley State, 34-27, in Itta Bena, Miss.
Quarterback Cam’Ron McCoy found former Southern Lab standout Darren Morris for a go-ahead touchdown just before halftime.
Defensive star Ckelby Givens (Captain Shreve) forced a huge sack-fumble on the opening MVSU possession of the third quarter, and senior defensive tackle Zac Yessine recovered to set up a Trey Holly (Union Parish) touchdown run two plays later.
Givens finished with game-highs for nine tackles, including five for loss and 3.5 sacks, plus two quarterback hurries.
Holly led the Jaguars in rushing for the second straight game with 67 yards on 19 carries, and former Catholic (Baton Rouge) standout Barry Remo II found the end zone for the first time this season among the other highlights.
NICHOLLS STATE PUSHES TROY
Nicholls State was among the darlings of the small Week 0 slate with an upset of top-five FCS team Incarnate Word to open the season and had another favored opponent on the ropes Saturday.
The Colonels did not trail for the first three-plus quarters at Troy and reclaimed a lead early in the fourth on Gabriel Showalter‘s second field goal of the game.
But the Trojans scored three touchdowns the rest of the way — including a go-ahead pass to former Loyola Prep (Shreveport) standout Tray Taylor from quarterback Will “Goose” Crowder” — to extinguish the upset bid, 38-20.