McNeese Football Lands Four Players on All-Southland Teams

Lake Charles, Louisiana (KNGT-FM) - The season has come to a close for the McNeese Cowboys and the first return season of Matt Viator. The Cowboys finished the 2025 season on a high note, defeating rival Lamar in the Battle of the Border 21-19. McNeese wrapped up conference play with a 4-4 record, their first .500 or better league finish since 2019.

Tuesday Morning, the Southland Conference released its postseason awards, and McNeese notched four awards.

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Southland Conference Honors: Bradford, Bressi, Pinton, & Brackeen Honored

Defensive lineman Phillip Bradford, offensive lineman William Bressi, and punter Fabrizio Pinton were all named to the 2025 All-Southland Conference First Team. Offensive lineman Cody Brackeen earned Second Team honors.

Junior defensive lineman Phillip Bradford had a breakout year. He tied a school record by returning two interceptions for touchdowns. He also led the Southland Conference with 15.5 tackles for loss and added 5.5 sacks, ranking among the best in the nation. Bradford finished the season with 40 total tackles and played in all 12 games.

Senior punter Fabrizio Pinton also had a standout season. In his first year with the Cowboys, he led the conference with a 43.8-yard punting average, one of the best marks in school history. He placed 16 punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard line and kicked seven punts that traveled at least 50 yards.

On the offensive line, seniors William Bressi and Cody Brackeen helped McNeese build the top rushing attack in the Southland Conference. The Cowboys ran for 2,329 yards this season, averaging 194.1 yards per game, which ranked 20th in the nation. The team also scored 23 rushing touchdowns.

Bressi started all 12 games and played 94% of the team’s offensive snaps. He finished the season with 30 knockdown blocks and helped the Cowboys rush for more than 300 yards in three different games.