LAKE CHARLES – McNeese’s offense and defense had moments in Saturday’s second scrimmage of the spring, which saw the Cowboys run approximately 50 plays.
“I’m very excited how the offensive came out and started fast,” McNeese first-year coach Gary Goff said. “We challenged the team yesterday and this morning because I thought Thursday’s practice was very lackluster. They came out here today and were focused. I thought they did that to start the scrimmage. The defense did a great job and bounced back. They held us in the red zone two or three times while we were doing the open field drives.”
The four quarterbacks combined to complete 16-of-27 passes for 175 yards and three touchdowns. Knox Kadum completed 9-of-14 for 90 yards and a score.
“I thought Knox looked good out there today,” Goff said. “He looked more confident and composed as compared to the last scrimmage. He made some big throws on a couple of long third downs.”
Walker Wood meanwhile completed 2-of-4 passes for 24 yards and a score but also rushed for 49 yards on three carries, including a 35-yard run on his first play of the scrimmage.
Kadum threw his touchdown to Mason Pierce, the first of two on the day for the speedy receiver, on a 6-yard catch and run. That score capped an 8-play, 65-yard drive that saw Kadum complete 4 of 6 for 56 yards in the series.
Cade Barlett had the other TD pass, a 10-yarder to Pierce, and finished the day 5-of-7 for 61 yards.
Defensively, the Cowboys sacked the quarterbacks five times with all-conference defensive end Mason Kinsey collecting two.
The defensive backfield, which has been practicing all spring short-handed, batted away four passes.
McNeese kickers C.J. Moya and Nolan Heitmeier combined to connected on all three PATs and Moya ended the scrimmage splitting the uprights on a 39-yard field goal with plenty of room to spare.
The Cowboys will wrap up spring practice this week with the final scrimmage next Saturday at 11 a.m.