LAKE CHARLES, La. - Southern Utah set a school-record for margin of victory on the road, tied its record for points scored on the road, had its punt return for a score since 1998, its first blocked punt for a score since 1999 and its first interception return for a score of the season as the Thunderbirds took advantage of three third period turnovers and a blocked punt to stun I-AA's 23rd-ranked team Saturday night, notching a 56-14 win over McNeese State.

SUU won for the second time in two tries in Lake Charles in evening its record at 2-2 on the season while McNeese St. fell to 2-3 with the loss

Casey Rehrer completed 18-of-28 passes for 246 yards and four touchdowns to lead the offense while linebackers Nick DiPadova and Mike Overly paced the defense with 12 and 11 tackles, respectively.

Southern Utah dominated the first half, taking a 21-0 lead and holding the Cowboys to 101 yards of offense, but MSU looked like it was going to turn the tables, taking the opening kickoff of the second half, marching 64 yards on five plays and pulling within 21-7 on a 15-yard Scott Pendarvis-to-Chris Thomas pass. That was all the glory the Cowboys would have in the quarter, however, as the Thunderbirds took advantage of three fumbles and a blocked punt to score 28 unanswered points and take control.

"The way they came out and scored right at the beginning of the second half made me think `oh no, here we go again,' but the guys responded well," SUU Coach Wes Meier said. "We pretty much shut them down the rest of the period and the defense really stepped up and made some plays."

Mike Palefau forced a fumble by Darrick Brown to set up a 13-yard Rehrer to Ben Anderson scoring pass to give the Thunderbirds a 28-7 lead. On the following MSU possession Steve Smith stripped Jason Miller, giving SUU the ball on the MSU 28 and Elaisa Tuiaki was on the scoring end of a 10-yard pass from Rehrer for a 35-7 SUU edge.

On the ensuing MSU possession it was Derek Hoods turn to shine, as the sophomore defensive tackle tallied a sack and then forced a fumble to give SUU the ball on the MSU 18 and on their first play from scrimmage the T-Birds cashed in as Rehrer hit A.J. Smith on an 18-yard scoring pass.

SUU's final score in the period came after Amoni Finau blocked a Jason Cook punt into the end zone where Jonathan King made the recovery for the score and a 49-7 lead.

Southern Utah's final score came on a 69-yard interception return by Brandon Perkins.

Southern Utah took a 7-0 lead after marching 84 yards the game's opening possession with Tuiaki carrying one yard for the score. On the Cowboys' ensuing possession the Thunderbirds made a major defensive statement by holding McNeese State on second-, third- and fourth-and-goal to hang on to the 7-0 advantage.

"That goal-line stand was huge," Meier said. "We knew we had to come out strong and establish the offense. We wanted to put the first points on the board and set the tempo of the game. We're excited about this win, We've had a couple of close losses on the road and we wanted to come out and re-establish ourselves and I thought we did that."

Ryan Felipe staked SUU to a 14-0 lead with a 65-yard punt return and the Thunderbirds took a 21-0 halftime advantage after Rehrer hit Smith in the left flat on a four-yard touchdown pass.

SUU since Perkins did it against Northern Colorado last year.