With the game still very much in doubt, Mason Pierce rose to the occasion once again.

Up just 7-3 in the second quarter Saturday at Northwestern State, McNeese was still looking for that big spark. Pierce was ready to provide it.

Racing toward the end zone, Pierce saw the ball coming down toward him. He was sandwiched between a pair of defenders as he jumped at the 5-yard line.

As Cody Orgeron’s throw fell rom the sky, Pierce — listed at 5-foot nine but calls himself 5-7 — made a leaping catch while being hit. He spun back to earth but stayed on his feet long enough to reach the end zone.

The Cowboys never looked back, rolling to a 35-17 victory over the Demons.

Pierce’s circus touchdown was his fifth of the season and fourth in the last two games. It also gives promise for the rest of the season.

Over the last six quarters the Cowboys have outscored their opponents 63-31, with Pierce leading the way. Numbers like that won’t wash away a 1-4 start entirely, but it does show improvement, which is likely what the final five games of this season will be graded by.

Pierce, a sophomore, is not alone in showing improvement. There was freshman Josh Parker, who hadn’t seen much playing time, making the most of his 16 carries against the Demons.

Parker ran for 74 yards and his first two touchdowns as a Cowboy, filling in for the injured Stephon Huderson. Parker gave a spark to the McNeese running game and looks to be a good counterpuncher to Huderson upon his return.

When asked last week if he had enough weapons to compete against the high-powered offenses of the Southland Conference’s elite teams, Cowboy head coach Frank Wilson said he was always looking for more.

Who knew he would find them on his own roster.

Pierce is becoming the type of player that is in scoring position anywhere on the field.

Getting him the ball is becoming a priority, as he is able to take the top off the defense.

With the return of speedster Cee Jay Powell expected this week, McNeese will have yet another big-play weapon heading into the rematch with Incarnate Word.

If Huderson can also return from injury then the Cowboys may have enough fire power to make next weekend’s Homecoming game interesting.

What’s really important is finding players who can make things happen. That is the world of college football these days.

It’s nice to be able to run the ball, control the clock and win games the old way, but it’s rare.  The old 17-13 scores have been left behind. Defenses and offenses have had to adjust.

The Cowboys showed they are starting to do that. Pierce’s 43-yard scoring catch had the looks of a team willing to take chances and go down the field.

Just as important the defense scored as well. Corione Harris’ scoop and score on a 15-yard return of a fumble is the type of play defenses need to make. It was the first score of the season for a Cowboy defender.

McNeese finds itself in a very interesting position with five games remaining.

The Cowboys are tied for third in the Southland, which appears to be very top heavy with two nationally ranked teams leading the way — UIW and Southeastern.

Interestingly enough, McNeese still has all five teams left to play, meaning they will determine just where they finish up come Thanksgiving.

With the emergence of some new weapons and some momentum on their side, the Cowboys have a chance to show us what all the preseason hype was all about.

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Jim Gazzolo is a freelance writer who covers McNeese State athletics for the American Press. Email him at jimgazzolo@yahoo.com