McNeese State at home against Delta State; Demons visit Baylor

• Advocate news services
• Published: Sep 6, 2008 - Page: 4C - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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LAKE CHARLES — McNeese State kicks off its home football season at 7 p.m. today, hosting Delta State in the first meeting between the two schools.

The Cowboys will also be breaking in a new artificial turf, which was installed in the spring.

The Cowboys (0-1) are coming off an impressive showing against North Carolina, a 35-27 loss in Chapel Hill, N.C. Delta State, one of the stronger Division II teams, will be opening its season.

In last week’s contest against North Carolina, the Cowboys outgained the Tar Heels 391 yards to 384 and beat them in first downs, 22-13.

Tailback Todd Pendland led the Cowboys in rushing with 85 yards while quarterback Derrick Fourroux added 43.

Fourroux also completed 14 of 26 passes for 181 yards and a touchdown.

Pendland led the team in receptions with six for 60 yards while Steven Whitehead had five catches for 67 yards and Quinten Lawrence, who returned a punt 70 yards for a touchdown, netted 73 yards on four catches.

Delta State averaged 31 points and 469.8 yards per game last season. The Statesmen will open with Garrett DeWitt at quarterback. He passed for 1,292 yards and five TDs last year after taking over the starting role.

Chad Schroeder returns as the top receiver after catching 62 passes for 699 yards a year ago.

Defense was also a strong point for the Statesmen a year ago as they gave only 13.9 points and 227.4 total offensive yards per game.

The Cowboys go into the game as the No. 10 ranked team in the FCS division while Delta State was ranked No. 10 in this week’s Division II poll.

NW State at Baylor
In Waco, Texas, the Northwestern State Demons’ Purple Swarm defense will be put to the test when it faces Baylor at 6 p.m. today in Floyd Casey Stadium.

It will be the only game this season against a Football Bowl Subdivision team for the Demons, who have met five FBS opponents in the last two season.