Quarterback Kade Knox hands the ball off to running back Marcus McElroy Saturday during McNeese State’s second spring scrimmage. (Leighton Chamblee / Special to the American Press)

It was a scrimmage that had a little bit of everything.

There was some offense, a little defense, a few big plays on both sides of the ball and even a decent minor scuffle between friends.

Hey, the Cowboys even made all four of their kick tries.

McNeese State’s second spring scrimmage Saturday was good enough to put a smile on first-year head coach Gary Goff’s face.

“Exciting how the offense came out and started fast and the defense did a good job too,” Goff said. “As the head coach you don’t want to see one side dominate for it means you have a lot of work on the other side.”

So Goff got what he wanted. The offense scored three touchdowns and kicked a field goal during the 50-play scrimmage. The defense recorded five sacks and twice had stops inside the red zone.

As for the mini-scuffle between linemen, we can rule that a draw.

“I like the energy,” Goff said. “We can’t get in the habit of coming out here and going through the motions.”

Calling it a “big improvement in all areas” from the first scrimmage a week earlier, McNeese showed what type of team it will be. Both sides of the ball played much faster, which the players seem to like.

“We are more about making plays,” said sophomore linebacker Brayden Adams, a Barbe High product. “We are racing to the ball, being aggressive. It’s a fun system to play in.”

Adams, who missed all of last spring’s season and a part of the fall with a knee injury, made a pair of tackles for loss to lead the defense. Defensive end Mason Kinsey had a pair of sacks as well.

“The defense is coming together,” Adams said. “We are learning more every practice.”

So is the McNeese offense.

Nobody on either side of the ball is playing better than speedster Mason Pierce, who had three catches for 18 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Pierce has four TDs in the two scrimmages.

“That projects good for me,” Pierce said. “We are all buying in. We are doing a lot of different things and getting the ball in space to move around.”

As for the battle at quarterback, transfer Knox Kadum had a big day. He finished 9 of 14 for 90 yards and a score.

“I thought Knox had a really good day,” Goff said. “He delivered the ball well today. He took a step forward.”

Walker Wood was 2-for-4 for 24 yards but also ran for 49 more on three carries. Made Barrett was 5 of 7 for 61. Both Barrett and Wood had TD throws.

Nine players caught passes as the quarterbacks were spreading the ball around.

Brendan Sirls (2 catches, 57 yards), Jon McCall (2-41) and Markel Cotton (2-22) all showed improvement as receivers, Goff said. He said for a lot of players this is the first they have spent a lot of time on the field.

“We are seeing things we didn’t know we had,” Goff said. “This was a huge improvement but we have a long way to go.”

McNeese’s spring camp will end next week with a final scrimmage.