The 2003 McNeese State Cowboys football team was an American football team that represented McNeese State University as a member of the Southland Conference (Southland) during the 2003 NCAA Division I-AA football season. In their fourth year under head coach Tommy Tate, the team compiled an overall record of 10âÂÂ2, with a mark of 5âÂÂ0 in conference play, and finished as champion in the Southland. The Cowboys advanced to the NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship playoffs and lost to Northern Arizona in the first round.