McNeese fights off Southern rally for a 34-28 win

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LAKE CHARLES, La. (AP) — Cody Orgeron threw two scores and McNeese held off a late Southern comeback to beat the Jaguars 34-28 on Saturday night in the season opener for both teams.

Elijah Mack's 3-yard touchdown run put McNeese up 34-14 with 5:25 left to play. Southern responded with a 4-play, 75-yard drive to make it 34-21.

McNeese recovered the on-side kick, and the Jaguars defense forced a three-and-out. Bailey Raborn's 37-yard punt went out of bounds at the Southern 1-yard line with 2:36 left. Undeterred, Southern put together a 10-play, 99-yard scoring drive in just under two minutes that ended when Glendon McDaniel plunged in from a yard out. Southern's pooch-kick attempt went out of bounds and the Cowboys escaped with the win.

Orgeron threw for 147 yards in the win.

McDaniel threw for 135 yards and a touchdown and Ladarius Skelton came on in relief and threw two scores.