2013 Scouting Reports: McNeese State

[Brad]

LAKE CHARLES – McNeese went to work in should pads for the first time in preseason camp but the expected two hour outing was cut short by about a half an hour due to a lightning and rain storm.
 
The Cowboys will go back to work on Saturday afternoon at 4:30 in shells before gearing up in full pads on Sunday.
 
"It was a good day today," said senior running back Marcus Wiltz.  "There were a lot of people flying around and there was some good contact.  Now that everyone has pads on, the holes are opening up that you didn't trust and you see the big picture."
 
The offensive line unit, that returns just one starter while two top guys on the depth chart are new to the position, continues to improve.
 
"I think they're doing a great job learning the techniques and making blocks," said Wiltz.  "I have a ton of trust in those guys and know they'll do what they have to do to make us successful."
 
 
McNeese Fall Camp Notebook:  Day 3
 
• Practice was cut short about 30 minutes due to a lightning and rain storm.  The team took shelter in the concourse of Cowboy Stadium in hopes of returning to the practice field after waiting it out.  But the lightning continued and head coach Matt Viator made the decision to end practice.
 
•  Following practice, players sit in ice baths for several minutes.  This helps muscles to recover faster and reduces muscle pain and soreness following intense practices or competitions.
 
•  McNeese will practice at 4:30 on Saturday in shorts and shoulder pads and will put on full pads for the first time on Sunday at 4:30.
 
•  In attendance at Friday's practice was former McNeese offensive lineman Mike Smith.  Smith's son, Callen, is a freshman defensive back for the Cowboys.  Mike is a world steer wrestling champion and a four-time runner-up.

 

http://www.mcneesesports.com/news/2013/8/9/FB_0809132325.aspx

[Brad]

Experienced McNeese St. primed for rebound

 

The Associated Press

Published: Friday, Aug. 16, 2013 - 9:43 am

 

LAKE CHARLES, La. -- McNeese State returns 16 starters from a team that was two points away from finishing 5-2 in the Southland Conference a season ago.

 

One-point losses to Southeastern Louisiana and league co-champion Central Arkansas left the Cowboys at 3-4.

 

Coach Matt Viator says it's important not to "overreact to what happened," and just work to improve.

 

The Cowboys' offense will rely on senior quarterback Cody Stroud, a third-year starter who already is sixth on the school's career passing list. He had 19 touchdown passes and only five interceptions last season.

 

The secondary is the strength of an experienced defense.

 

McNeese State upset Middle Tennessee to begin 2012, and opens 2013 at South Florida on Aug. 31.

 

 

Link

[McNeese722]

Okay, I can't resist crashing this message string.

 

McNeese had its Media/Fan Day yesterday (Sunday).   Below is a link to some pictures if any of you guys are interested or just plain bored.

 

McNeese 2013 Football Media Day Photos

 

Is it gameday, yet?,

Doc

[McNeese722]

All McNeese's practices and scrimmages are open to the public.   The Cowboys had their first scrimmage Saturday and the defense definitely won (now I worry about the offense  :-)  ).    If any of you guy are interested or bored there is a link to some of the pictures that I took at the scrimmage below.   I'm not exactly happy with them because I was using a new camera and went a little far with the saturation when processing the images.

 

McNeese's First Scrimmage Pictures

 

Next up is the annual Cowboy Night on Wed.   Then we start working on the game plan for you guys.

 

Is it gameday, yet?,

Doc

[Paisa el Toro]

Isn't Coach T's old offensive coordinator from WKU the same at McNeese, Doc?

[Greg Auman]

McNeese's defensive coordinator, Lance Guidry, was Taggart's DC at WKU.

[Paisa el Toro]

McNeese's defensive coordinator, Lance Guidry, was Taggart's DC at WKU.

 

Thanks, Greg.

[McNeese722]

Isn't Coach T's old offensive coordinator from WKU the same at McNeese, Doc?

 

It is the defensive coordinator, Lance Guidry.   He is back bringing back his "Defense With an Attitude", see the defensive starters sitting on the bench with the DWA jerseys.   Only the starters get wear them at practice and everybody else wears their regular number.   If a guy gets bumped from the first string, the guy that bumps him gets the DWA jersey and the ex-starter has to go back to his number.

 

Lance is the bald headed guy in the third or so photo.

 

Lance is also known for pre-game speeches but I don't know if Matt V. is going to allow him to give any.   See youtube links below:

 

Lance's WKU pregame speech

 

Lance's Miami of Ohio pregame speech

 

It is nice to have him back.   He is fun to watch at practice and on the sidelines.

 

Doc

[McNeeseFan86]

http://www.southland.org/Sports/Football/FootballArticle/tabid/296/article/11687/Football-Team-Preview-McNeese-State.aspx

A little more info on the Cowboys.

[Bull]

pretty good speech the guys has got some passion you gotta give him that