Southland Conference Tweaks McNeese Football Schedule With Addition of SFA

After just three seasons in the WAC, the Stephen F Austin Lumberjacks have made their way back home to the Southland Conference as it was made official on Wednesday by the conference.

With the news of SFA coming back into the conference for all sports for the 2024-2025 sports season, schedules had to be altered, those included McNeese's football schedule.

Just three years ago, Stephen F Austin left what looked to be the dying Southland Conference and joined the Western Athletic Conference, also known as the WAC. SFA will make the second school to announce they are leaving the now-dying WAC to come into the now-thriving Southland Conference as Texas-Rio Grand Valley announced back in April.

Both UTRGV and SFA will play football in the Southland, but Texas-Rio Grand Valley will start playing in 2025 where Stephen F Austin will begin this upcoming football season. According to sources mentioned by the Lake Charles American Press, multiple other schools have made inquiries about joining forces with the Southland Conference.

Stephen F Austin coming back into the Southland is a huge get for the Conference and Commissioner Chris Grant.

“It is a privilege to welcome a proven winner both athletically and academically in Stephen F. Austin to the Southland Conference,” Southland Conference Commissioner Chris Grant exclaimed. “As we continue to see a trending evolution in college athletics, we are proud to continue our upward momentum and build upon our rich geographic footprint with an institution that shares like-minded priorities that put the student-athlete first. Historically and currently in its leadership, SFA has shown a commitment to success in its athletic department that strengthens our league and enhances the competitive spirit within our conference.”

With the news of Stephen F Austin coming back into the Southland Conference and coming as soon as this football season, schedules had to be tweaked and reworked and they were released Thursday Morning.

2024 McNeese Cowboy Football Schedule

August 24th - McNeese @ Tarleton State (2:30, ESPNU)
August 31st - Southern @ McNeese (7:00, ESPN+)
September 7th - McNeese @ Texas A&M (11:45, SECN)
September 14th - Stephen F Austin @ McNeese* (7:00, ESPN+)
September 21st - Alcorn State @ McNeese (7:00, ESPN+)
September 28th - McNeese @ Weber State (TBA, ESPN+)
October 5th - McNeese @ Houston Christian* (6:00, ESPN+)
October 12th - BYE WEEK
October 19th - McNeese @ Incarnate Word* (TBA, ESPN+)
October 26th - McNeese @ Nicholls* (TBA, ESPN+)
November 2nd - Texas A&M Commerce @ McNeese* (7:00, ESPN+)
November 9th - BYE WEEK
November 16th - McNeese @ Northwestern State* (TBA, ESPN+)
November 23rd - Lamar @ McNeese* (7:00, ESPN+)

(*) Denotes Southland Conference Games
(BOLD) Denotes HOME Games