McNeese St. 20, Northwestern St. 18

McNeese St. 20, Northwestern St. 18

Published Oct. 1, 2011 11:54 p.m. ET

McNeese State stopped a two-point conversion pass in the fourth quarter to preserve a 20-18 win over Northwestern State on Saturday night.

An 18-yard interception return by Joe Narcisse gave the Cowboys (3-1,2-0 Southland Conference) a 20-12 lead with 14:07 to play in the game. Sidney Riley capped Northwestern State's next possession with a 5-yard touchdown run to trim the deficit to two, 20-18. But Brad Henderson's two-point conversion pass fell incomplete and McNeese State held onto win its seventh straight against the Demons. The Cowboys lead the series 40-20-1.

The Demons (2-3, 1-1) failed to mount drives on any of their final three possessions.

Northwestern State outgained the Cowboys 315 yards to 295, but was victimized by four turnovers, including three interceptions.

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An 8-yard touchdown pass from Cody Stroud to Darius Carey with 16 seconds to play in the first half gave McNeese the lead for good at 13-12.

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