The Bearkats watched as a pair of McNeese State runners eclipsed the 100-yard mark (Toddrick Pendland 171, Derrick Fourroux 118) and a third (Champlain Babin 88) nearly made it a trio.

The Bearkat offense, led by a 300-yard effort by senior quarterback Blake Joseph, did manage 28 second-half points, but couldn't keep up with the Cowboy ground attack.

"This was McNeese's best effort of the year except for maybe when they beat Appalachian State on the road," Sam Houston head coach Todd Whitten said. "They are very, very fast and explosive offensively. What can you say about their quarterback and running back? Both of those guys are very talented players.

"Again, we gave up some big plays, which has been a problem for us this season. When they got in the open field, we couldn't catch them."

The Kats trailed 14 at the half, but a mistake on the opening drive of the second half opened things up for the Cowboys. Jason Madkins fumbled the ball after picking up a first down. One play later, Richard Conner scored from 43 yards out to put the Cowboys up 35-14 early in the third quarter.

In the first half, it was a pair of McNeese mistakes that gave the Kats an early lead. After giving up a touchdown on the opening drive, the Kats took advantage of a pair of McNeese turnovers to take an early 14-7 lead.

Kevin Smith intercepted a Fourroux pass, and Chris Poullard capped a five-play drive with a one-yard touchdown run. The big play on the drive was a 36-yard pass to Madkins, setting up the offense at the two.

On the ensuing kickoff, the Cowboys fumbled and Madkins recovered it at the McNeese 23. On the next play, Blake Joseph hit Chris Lucas for a 23-yard strike to give the Kats the lead.

But, Pendland was too much for the Bearkat defense. In addition to his 171 yards on the ground, he reached the end zone four times.

Twice in the second half, the Bearkats cut the lead to 14. First on a 30 yard touchdown pass to Madkins and the second was on an 8-yard pass to Chris Poullard. But each time, the Cowboys had an answer.

Madkins led SHSU in receiving with 142 yards on six catches and hauled in two scores. Lucas also had a 100-yard night with seven catches for 112 yards.

Joseph, the Kats' senior quarterback, completed 20-of-28 passes for 300 yards and four touchdowns.

"Our offense played well today, but it was just one of those things when we would score and then they would score," Joseph said. "It went back and forth. I felt like our offensive line did a great job tonight and our receivers did a great job."

The Kats will now return home for their final game at Bowers Stadium on Nov. 14 when they take on Central Arkansas at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25 for reserved chairbacks and $15 for general admission. Order tickets on line at www.gobearkats.com or contact the Sam Houston State ticket office located in the Ron Mafrige Field House at Bowers Stadium. Ticket office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The SHSU Athletic Ticket office telephone is 936 294-1729.