Greetings, Lion fans, and this week in the Notebook, we take a look at the McNeese State Cowboys, who, like the Lions, are winless in 2023. Before we dive in and see how the Lions break what has been a very unfamiliar thing- a losing streak.

To say defensive coordinator Kyle Williams and his staff have had problems would most definitely be the understatement of the year. Through the first two weeks, the Blue Gang was shredded in the first half, then made halftime adjustments, and fared much better in the second half. After a week off, they went into Norfolk and what seemed to be the impossible happened. Quarterback sacks, forced turnovers, and a stingy run defense had the Lions in position to win it at the end.

Then came last week in Nacogdoches, and all progress that was seemingly made was lost. Over 500 yards total offense and 56 points. So, where do they go now?

The Lions come home, that’s what. After 37 long days, Clint Dolezel and his team finally don’t have to head to Dallas to catch a flight, or head out on a bus, and get to wake up in their own beds. They’ve faced the toughest schedule in the FCS so far, and now begin anew in Southland Conference play. So let’s break down where this weekend’s matchup happens.

OVERALL:

Cowboy Offense:

Points: 16.4 ppg

Rush: 128.2 ypg

Pass: 166.0 ypg

Total: 289.0 ypg

Turnovers: 8

Blue Gang Defense:

Points: 37.0 ppg

Rush: 180.8 ypg

Pass: 301.7 ypg

Total: 482.5 ypg

As tough of a year as the Lions have had defensively, McNeese has had an even tougher year on offense. The Cowboys have struggled with turnovers, and scoring, averaging just over two touchdowns per game. It is important for the Lions to get out to a fast start, and keep the pressure on. The longer McNeese is allowed to hang around, the more dangerous that offense, no matter how many problems they’ve had in 2023, will become.

The question is, and the thought here at The Wire is, that they do….Does the Blue Gang still have fight left in them to break into the win column? That remains to be seen.

UP FRONT/TALE OF THE TAPE:

Cowboy Offensive Line: 6’3″ 307 lbs.

Lion Front Six: 6’1″ 242 lbs.

The Cowboy offensive line is big, athletic, experienced, and not to be underestimated. They are anchored by four juniors, Cole Leclair (6’3″ 306 lbs.), Dylan Dauzart (6’3″ 309 lbs.), Hezekiah Neason (6’4″ 314 lbs.), and Elijah Melendez (6’5″ 307 lbs.), and sophomore James Reddick II (6’4″ 314 lbs.)

The Blue Gang defensive front is manned by junior Warren Robinson (6’3″ 245 lbs.), senior Levi Drake Rodriguez (6’4″ 290 lbs.), and juniors Leon Young (5’11” 250 lbs.), and Clifford Funderburk (6’3″ 238 lbs.). Junior Darryle Ware (6’2″ 218 ) and sophomore Kyree Anderson (5’11” 215 lbs.) have been a pleasant surprise so far this year.

The key will be for the Blue Gang to dial up the pressure, and make an inexperienced McNeese quarterback uncomfortable, and force him into being one dimensional.

MOVERS AND SHAKERS/THE BACK LINE:

Cowboy Movers and Shakers: 6’1″ 200 lbs.

Blue Gang Back Line: 5’10” 173 lbs.

The Cowboy offense is led by junior quarterback Nate Glantz (6’0″ 200 lbs.), who has gone 61-126 for 150 yards per game, three touchdowns, and a long of 39 yards. He has also thrown four interceptions. Junior D’Angelo Durham (6’1″ 208 lbs.) is the leading rusher, with 321 yards on 61 carries, a pair of touchdowns, and a long of 28. Sophomore Coleby Hamm (5’10” 216 lbs.) had 17 carries for 158 yards, 2 touchdowns, and a long of 78.

Jon McCall (6’3″ 189 RS-Soph.) is the leading receiver for McNeese, with 256 yards on 13 receptions, 3 touchdowns, and a long of 39. Freshman Makhi Paris (6’2″ 189 lbs.) has 12 receptions for 174 yards and a long of 32.

The McNeese offense, while not showing eye popping numbers or explosiveness, has plenty of talent, and seems to be just waiting for and opportunity to break out.

The Blue Gang back line is led by junior Max Epps (5’11′” 182 lbs.) who is second on the team in tackles with 23 (13 solo), and leads with four interceptions. He is joined by senior Darriyon Taylor (5’10” 160 lbs.), who leads the Lions with 32 tackles (22 solo) and sophomore Jordan Polk (6’0″ 182 lbs.), who has 19 tackles (14 solo). Sophomore Kendall Paul (5’9″ 161 lbs.) returns from injury to man his cornerback spot.

VERY SPECIAL, INDEED:

Callum Eddings handles the punting for McNeese, averaging 42.3 yards on 24 punts, with a long of 55. Sophomore Garrison Smith is 4 of 6 on field goals with a long of 50, and is a perfect 10 of 10 on extra points.

The Cowboys do not have a recorded statistic on punt returns as of yet, but junior running back Cam Thomas has two kick returns for a 49.0 yard average, and a long of 91. Junior Johnathan Harris has 4 returns for a 13.25 yard average, with a long of 19 yards.

The Lions as well have not recorded a punt return, but sophomore Sean Krystoff-King has 7 kick returns for a 19.2 yard average, and a long of 26.

THE LIONS WIN THIS MATCHUP IF: The Blue Gang is who we think they are. This is a unit entirely capable of taking over a game. Now it the time for a full 60 minute effort.

Clint Dolezel and his team have yet to find that one good thing to happen, and break the Lions out of this. With a return to Southland Conference play, and at long last, a game at home, this is the perfect situation in which to find it. And the feeling here is, they will.

See You at The Hawk.