McNeese State will  host a Central Arkansas football team whose season has gone along about like the Cowboys except for the final results.

            "They have played everyone close and have been right there," McNeese head coach Matt Viator told members of the media during his press conference on Wednesday.  "They've lost some close games this season."

            The Cowboys themselves have won four games in the final minutes of play and one of their two losses was by only three points (16-13 to SFA).

            The two teams will meet on Saturday in Cowboy Stadium, kickoff to be 6 p.m.  The Southland Conference television network is televising the contest, thus the shift of starting time.

            McNeese enters the game with an 8-2 record and the No. 8 ranking in the nation, needing a victory to at least tie for the SLC title and gain a berth in the FCS playoffs.  Central Arkansas is 5-5 on the year but losses by the Bears have been by five points (Hawaii 25-20), three points (SFA 33-30, Texas State 27-24 and Sam Houston State 17-14) and by four points (SE La. 25-21).

            "They really have a good defensive team," said Viator, who went on to add that the Cowboys expected a tough football game.

            Returning SLC defensive player of the year Larry Hart (6-1, 248)  heads up the Bear defensive unit that also includes 6-5, 254 pounder Markell Carter, 6-0, 274 pound Uriah Perry and 6-4, 274 pound Taylor Scott in the line.

            Central Arkansas leads the conference and ranks among the national leaders by giving up only 16.7 points per game.

            The Bears also lead the league in rushing defense, yielding but 100.8 yards a contest and are second in total defense with a 307 yard average.

            In contrast, McNeese is averaging 38.6 points per game, 462.3 yards per game total offense and 229.3 yards per game rushing.

            Offensively the Bears are led by quarterback Robbie Park, a fifth year senior who is marking his first year to start, by running back Brent Grimes and by place kicker Eddie Carmona.

            Park has completed 167 of 274 passes for 2,028 yards and 12 tds and Grimes has rushed for 904 yards, second in the league to McNeese Toddrick Pendland's 948 yards.

            Carmona tops the conference kickers with a 12 for 13 effort on field goals and 34 consecutive PAT kicks.

            This will only be the fourth meeting between the two schools.  The Cowboys hold a 2-1 edge in the series but the Bears posted a 47-30 victory a year ago in Conway, AR.  In that game last year, Central Arkansas was up 20-14 at the end of the half and then outscored McNeese 27-16 over the final two periods.  Pendland ran for 110 yards and Derrick Fourroux completed 22 of 33 passes for 314 yards for McNeese.

            Plenty of tickets are still available for the game.  Fans interested in purchasing tickets can contact the MSU ticket office at 337.562.4MSU, tickets@mcneese.edu or order online at McNeeseSports.com/tickets.  Office hours are Monday thru Friday 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and will open Saturday at 10 a.m.