What Is 2015 McNeese State Cowboys football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2015 McNeese State Cowboys football team represented McNeese State University in the NCAA Division I FCS football season, finishing with a 7-4 record under head coach Lance Guidry. They competed in the Southland Conference and advanced to the FCS playoffs for the first time since 2008.

Key Facts

2015 McNeese State Cowboys finished with a 7-4 overall record and 5-3 in Southland Conference play
Head coach Lance Guidry led the team in his first season after taking over from Matt Viator
The Cowboys qualified for the FCS playoffs, losing in the first round to Eastern Washington 38-31
Quarterback Cody Orgeron started all 11 games, throwing for 2,587 yards and 17 touchdowns
McNeese State ranked 2nd in the Southland Conference standings, earning an at-large playoff berth

Overview

The 2015 McNeese State Cowboys football team represented McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana during the 2015 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) season. Competing in the Southland Conference, the Cowboys were led by first-year head coach Lance Guidry, who took over after Matt Viator left for Louisiana Tech.

The team achieved a 7-4 overall record and a 5-3 mark in conference play, marking a significant improvement from the previous season. Their performance earned them an at-large bid to the FCS playoffs, their first appearance since 2008.

Record: The Cowboys finished the 2015 season with a 7-4 overall record and 5-3 in Southland Conference games, a marked improvement from their 4-7 record in 2014.
Head Coach: Lance Guidry was named head coach in December 2014, bringing defensive expertise after serving as defensive coordinator at LSU and Southern Miss.
Playoff Appearance: McNeese State qualified for the FCS playoffs as an at-large team, ending a seven-year postseason drought that dated back to 2008.
Quarterback Performance: Cody Orgeron started all 11 games, throwing for 2,587 yards and 17 touchdowns with only 9 interceptions, leading the offense effectively.
Key Game: A 34-31 overtime win against Sam Houston State on November 7 was pivotal in securing their playoff hopes and boosting their conference standing.

How It Works

The structure and operation of the 2015 McNeese State Cowboys football season followed standard NCAA FCS protocols, including a 12-game regular season and potential postseason participation based on rankings and conference results.

Season Format: The FCS season includes an 11- or 12-game regular season, with McNeese playing 11 games in 2015, followed by a 24-team playoff tournament.
Conference Play: The Southland Conference consists of nine teams; each team plays an unbalanced schedule, with McNeese facing six conference opponents in 2015.
Playoff Qualification: Teams qualify for the FCS playoffs via automatic bids for conference champions or at-large selections based on national rankings and performance.
Roster Composition: The Cowboys fielded 85 scholarship players, the FCS limit, with a mix of returning starters and junior college transfers under Guidry’s new system.
Game Strategy: The team emphasized a balanced offense, averaging 27.8 points per game, while the defense allowed 26.6 points per game, ranking mid-tier in the FCS.
Recruiting Impact: Guidry’s first recruiting class included 23 signees, many from Texas and Louisiana, helping stabilize the roster after a coaching transition.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 2015 McNeese State Cowboys compared to other top Southland Conference teams in key statistical categories.

Team	Overall Record	Conference Record	Points Per Game	Playoff Result
McNeese State	7-4	5-3	27.8	Lost in First Round
Southern Illinois	6-5	4-4	25.6	Did Not Qualify
Sam Houston State	11-3	7-1	35.2	Quarterfinals
Stephen F. Austin	7-4	6-2	31.1	Did Not Qualify
Central Arkansas	4-7	3-5	24.3	Did Not Qualify

McNeese State ranked second in the Southland Conference by winning percentage but missed the conference title due to a head-to-head loss to Sam Houston State. Despite identical 7-4 records, Stephen F. Austin had a better conference record but was not selected for the playoffs, highlighting the importance of national ranking and strength of schedule. The Cowboys’ defense struggled in close games, giving up 26 or more points in six contests. However, their offense showed consistency, particularly in second-half surges. Their playoff berth was a testament to strong non-conference wins and late-season momentum.

Why It Matters

The 2015 season represented a turning point for McNeese State football, signaling a potential resurgence after years of mediocrity. The return to the FCS playoffs boosted recruiting, fan engagement, and program visibility.

Program Momentum: The playoff appearance revitalized interest in the program, leading to increased season ticket sales and student attendance at games.
Coaching Validation: Lance Guidry’s first-year success proved his ability to rebuild a struggling team, enhancing his reputation in FCS coaching circles.
Recruiting Boost: The Cowboys secured higher-rated recruits in 2016, including three 4-star prospects from Louisiana and Texas.
Conference Standing: McNeese’s performance pressured other Southland teams to improve, raising the overall competitiveness of the conference.
Player Development: Quarterback Cody Orgeron and linebacker Jeremiah Harden emerged as All-Conference performers, showcasing the team’s talent development.
Historical Context: This season marked only the third time since 2000 that McNeese reached the FCS playoffs, underscoring its significance.

Overall, the 2015 McNeese State Cowboys season served as a foundation for future success, demonstrating that strategic coaching changes and player development could restore a once-dominant FCS program to national relevance.