2021 FCS Season Preview: McNeese Cowboys

November 2, 2019 – Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA – McNeese vs Northwestern State Football 2019 at Cowboy Stadium in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Richard J Martin DDS

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

HomeAwayVenueMatch Day TV/Streaming Highlights
Cowboy Stadium
Lake Charles, LA - -
Tiger Stadium
Baton Rouge, LA SECN+,ESPN+ -
A.W. Mumford Stadium
Baton Rouge, LA - -
Benson Stadium
San Antonio, TX - -
Cowboy Stadium
Lake Charles, LA - -
Turpin Stadium
Natchitoches, LA - -
Cowboy Stadium
Lake Charles, LA - -
Strawberry Stadium
Hammond, LA - -
Cowboy Stadium
Lake Charles, LA - -
Husky Stadium
Houston, TX - -
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.