McNeese set to play LSU — twice

Published 9:33 pm Wednesday, November 29, 2023

LSU and McNeese have agreed to play two games in the upcoming seasons according to a published report.

Wednesday FBSchedules.com posted a story that stated the two schools have signed a contract to play inside Tiger Stadium in 2026 and 2029.

According to the report, LSU will pay McNeese $750,000 in 2026 and $775,000 in 2029.

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The Cowboys will travel to Baton Rouge on Sept. 12, 2026, with the game three years later not set.

McNeese Athletic Director Heath Schroyer declined to comment on the report but did confirm the contracts have been signed. Over the past few years Schroyer has made it known that he wanted to upgrade the Cowboy schedule as best he could.

The two teams have met twice before with the Tigers winning 32-10 in 2010 and 34-7 in 2021. A third meeting in 2015 was canceled after just 10 plays by heavy rains and lightning.

McNeese will play another SEC team next season when the Pokes travel to Texas A&M on Sept. 6. The Cowboys played at Florida this season, losing in Week 2 49-9 at the hands of the Gators.

The LSU game is the only one officially set for the 2026 campaign.

Next year McNeese will open a 12-game season at home against Southern on Aug. 30. They will also play Alcorn for a third straight year on Sept. 21.

Other than a trip to College Station, Texas, McNeese will play at Tartleton in Week 3 and Weber State in Week 5 next fall before opening Southland Conference play.

In 2025 McNeese is set to open at Louisiana-Lafayette to renew that old rivalry. The Pokes will then host Weber State before traveling to Utah State.

The only games set so far for the following seasons is a home-and-home series with South Dakota.

Of course, any talk of future schedules, especially against Power Conference teams, has to come with the understanding on how things might change in the future.