LAKE CHARLES, La. (AP) _ Quarterback Matt Cannon ran for three touchdowns Saturday as Southern Utah beat McNeese State 31-24.

Cannon rushed 204 yards and scored two of his touchdowns with runs of 42 and 39 yards, lifting Southern Utah's record to 2-1 and leaving the Cowboys at 1-2.

McNeese got the first points of the game, but Southern Utah came back with Cannon's first two touchdowns and a 37-yard field goal kicked by David Pretzer to end the first half ahead 16-7.

McNeese tried to strike back late in the game after the Thunderbirds had increased their lead to 31-14. The Cowboys got to within a touchdown on a 26-yard pass from Blake Prejean to Jimmy Redmond that left the score at 31-24.

But Prejean had a third down pass intercepted. The Cowboys got the ball back with 1:16 left after Southern Utah elected to go for a first down on the McNeese 12 yard line instead of attempting a field goal.

The Cowboys moved the ball into McNeese territory, but another intercepted pass ended the game.