The Lions came back from being down 14-7 to win the game 31-24. The play of the night was an 82-yard touchdown pass caught by senior wide receiver Brandon Acker to break the tie and prevent overtime.  
Jonathan Rhodes/The Lion's Roar

The Lions clinched a climatic win for their Geaux Pink Game 31-24 against the McNeese State Cowboys.

The wild finish on Saturday, Oct. 8 was the Lions first win against a ranked opponent since 2014. Senior wide receiver Brandon Acker caught the game winning 82-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Justin Alo. The game was heading into overtime before the catch.

“We ran the ball with 46 seconds on the clock,” said Acker. “We thought that coach was going to take it into overtime, but he decided to give it a shot, so, he put the spread package back on the field. Alo threw it up and just thank God that I was able to catch it.”

The players wore pink gear and the first 300 students were given free pink T-shirts in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“I love it that these guys are tough enough to wear pink and give support,” said Libby Covington, President of the Female Enthusiasts for Southeastern Athletics.

Chick-Fil-A, a sponsor of the Lions, presented a donation to the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center during a timeout. Covington, along with Athletic Director Jay Artigues, were on the field to receive the check.     

“I’m a breast cancer survivor,” said Covington. “It has been five years now. I did my treatment at Mary Bird Perkins, so I am just glad to be here.”

The Lions went into halftime down 14-7, but changed things around in the second half by outscoring the Cowboys 24-7. Alo threw three touchdowns in the second half and had a career high 339 passing yards. This performance is coming off his subpar performance against Lamar last week.

“I think everything that I have been through, in just the experience of being here in the spring, I have nothing to be scared of,” said Alo. “It’s senior year, so I just want to put everything I got into it. I feel confidence in our guys and it’s growing.”

The defense caused two turnovers in the game, a fumble and an interception. Junior defensive backs Max Lyons and Javon Tillman both recovered the fumble and senior linebacker Tre’ Bennett caught the interception. 

“They actually ran that play earlier in the game and I said ‘If they come out and do this again, I’ll be ready and it happened,’” said Bennett. “I thought it would be too high, so I tipped it and I was able to get under it and make the catch.”

The Lions head back to the road as they face Stephen F. Austin on Saturday, Oct. 15 at 3 p.m.

“I think this was a big win and a momentum shift for us,” said Alo. “We still have yet to play our best football. We are still looking to get over that hump and I believe we can get another win on the road. We have to prove to our teammates and our coaches that we can do it and get a streak going.”

Offensive line coach Travis Mikel rallies his troops to make their comeback bid in the first half.
Jonathan Rhodes/The Lion's Roar

Players wore pink gear to raise awareness to breast cancer. Fans were also encouraged to wear pink for the game and the first 300 students were given free pink t-shirts.
Jonathan Rhodes/The Lion's Roar