LAKE CHARLES – McNeese moved up two spots in both FCS Top 25 polls this week, climbing to No. 7 in the FCS Coaches' Poll while breaking into the top 10 at No. 10 in the STATS FCS Top 25.
 
The Cowboys are coming off a 47-27 win over Northwestern State on Saturday to run their record to 7-0 on the season and 6-0 in Southland Conference play. They'll hit the road this week for a 2:30 matchup on Saturday against Abilene Christian before returning home on Nov. 7 against Sam Houston State in a game that could decide the conference champion.
 
On Monday it was released by the league off the game against Sam Houston State, which carries a 6 p.m. kickoff in Cowboy Stadium, will air live on ESPN3.
 
Against NSU, the Cowboys were battle tested for much of the game before dominating the fourth quarter with 20 unanswered points to roll to the 20-point win.
 
Quarterback Daniel Sams began the surge on a 52-yard touchdown run to snap the tie and five the Cowboys a 34-27 lead after NSU had tied the game on the quarter's first play.
 
A fake punt attempt by NSU was sniffed out by McNeese and gave the Cowboys the ball back near midfield and five plays later, Sams found tight end Austin Nelson on a 2-yard touchdown pass to make it 40-27. Sams worked his magic the play before on an improvised shuttle pass to Ryan Ross that saw the back gain 38 yards on the play to set the ball up at the 2.
 
On the first play of the Demons' next possession, quarterback Stephen Rivers was intercepted by Jermaine Antoine who returned the ball 28 yards to the NSU 15. Five plays later Ross bulled in from 1-yard out for his second TD of the game to give the Cowboys their 20-point lead.
 
McNeese has outscored its opponents 72-13 in the fourth quarter this season and in 20 offensive possessions by opponents, there have been nine punts, six turnovers, three turnovers on downs and two scores.
 
In the polls, Jacksonville State (6-1) continues to hold onto the top spot in the STATS FCS poll followed by Coastal Carolina (7-0), Illinois State (6-1), Chattanooga (6-1), and Eastern Washington (5-2) to round out the top five. The next five includes Richmond (6-1), North Dakota State (5-2), Sam Houston State (5-2), James Madison (7-1), and McNeese (7-0).
 
In the coaches' poll, Coastal Carolina is ranked No. 1 followed by Jacksonville State, Illinois State, Chattanooga, Eastern Washington, North Dakota State, McNeese, Richmond, James Madison, and Sam Houston State to round out the top 10.
 
FCS Coaches' Top 25 Poll
1.  Coastal Carolina (7-0)
2.  Jacksonville State (6-1)
3.  Illinois State (6-1)
4.  Chattanooga (6-1)
5.  Eastern Washington (4-2)
6.  North Dakota State (5-2)
7.  McNeese (7-0)
8.  Richmond (6-1)
9.  James Madison (7-1)
10. Sam Houston State (5-2)
11. Fordham (7-1)
12. Portland State (6-1)
13. South Dakota State (5-2)
14. Eastern Kentucky (5-2)
15. William & Mary (5-2)
16. Harvard (6-0)
17. Montana (4-3)
18. Montana State (4-3)
19. Charleston Southern (6-1)
20. North Carolina A&T (6-1)
21. Northern Iowa (3-4)
22. Dartmouth (6-0)
23. Indiana State (4-3)
T24. Southern Utah (5-2)
T24. Youngstown State (3-4
 
STATS FCS Top 25 Poll
1.  Jacksonville State (6-1)
2.  Coastal Carolina (7-0)
3.  Illinois State (6-1)
4.  Chattanooga (6-1)
5.  Eastern Washington (4-2)
6.  Richmond (6-1)
7.  North Dakota State (5-2)
8. Sam Houston State (5-2)
9.  James Madison (7-1)
10.  McNeese (7-0)
11. Fordham (7-1)
12. Portland State (6-1)
13. Eastern Kentucky (5-2)
14. South Dakota State (5-2)
15. Harvard (6-0)
16. William & Mary (5-2)
17. Montana (4-3)
18. Northern Iowa (3-4)
19. Montana State (4-3)
20. North Carolina A&T (6-1)
21. Indiana State (4-3)
22. Dartmouth (6-0)
23. Western Illinois (4-3)
24. Charleston Southern (6-1)
25. Youngstown State (3-4)