2021 FCS Season Preview: McNeese Cowboys

No team in the country dealt with more hardship last year than McNeese (3-4, 2-4). 

The Cowboys were displaced after the campus suffered tremendous damage from Hurricane Laura, and even now a year later the area has not totally recovered from the storms.  Add to that a possible Delta variant COVID outbreak in the state, and McNeese could once again be facing more hardship yet again.

Dual-threat quarterback Cody Orgeron had a tremendous spring, passing for 1,560 yards and 10 touchdowns while adding 257 yards and three touchdowns on the ground; however, Orgeron will need the rest of the offense to provide more production this year. 

JUCO transfer Mason Kinsey (Navarro College) was a force along the defensive line – he finished second on the team in tackles for loss (7.5) and sacks (3.5).

Impact Players

QB Cody Orgeron: Will enter the season with 91 consecutive pass attempts without throwing an interception; two-time SLC Offensive Player of the Week (vs. Tarleton, vs. Nicholls).

DL Mason Kinsey: Had 38 total tackles on the season to go along with seven QB hurries, two pass break-ups and a forced fumble; started all seven games in the spring. 

DE Isaiah Chambers: Two-time SLC Player of the Week recipient; ranked second in the FCS and No. 1 overall in the Southland Conference with 7.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss in seven games played.

Key Game: September 18 at Southern University

McNeese

Home	Away	Venue	Match Day	TV/Streaming	Highlights
West Florida	McNeese	Cowboy Stadium	Lake Charles, LA	-	-
McNeese	LSU	Tiger Stadium	Baton Rouge, LA	SECN+,ESPN+	-
McNeese	Southern	A.W. Mumford Stadium	Baton Rouge, LA	-	-
McNeese	Incarnate Word	Benson Stadium	San Antonio, TX	-	-
Southeastern Louisiana	McNeese	Cowboy Stadium	Lake Charles, LA	-	-
McNeese	Northwestern State	Turpin Stadium	Natchitoches, LA	-	-
Incarnate Word	McNeese	Cowboy Stadium	Lake Charles, LA	-	-
McNeese	Southeastern Louisiana	Strawberry Stadium	Hammond, LA	-	-
Nicholls	McNeese	Cowboy Stadium	Lake Charles, LA	-	-
McNeese	Houston Christian	Husky Stadium	Houston, TX	-	-
Northwestern State	McNeese	Cowboy Stadium	Lake Charles, LA	-	-

Worst Case: Orgeron still dazzles, but the supporting cast never emerges.

Best Case: Orgeron dazzles and his entourage blossoms into the top offense in the Southland – and vaults the Cowboys into title contention.

Rob Butler

Rob Butler is a lifelong Texas A&M football fan – his family is full of A&M graduates. He graduated from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas with two degrees – a BBA in Finance and an MBA. His hobbies include jogging and reading books pertaining to college football.