Cam Ransom will start at quarterback when the Cowboys open the Gary Goff era Saturday night in Bozeman, Mont.

The first-year head coach made the decision official Monday when he released the depth chart ahead of the McNeese State season opener.

The Cowboys, looking to bounce back from last season’s dreadful 4-7 campaign, take on the second-ranked Bobcats, who lost the FCS national title game last year to North Dakota State and have expectations of getting back to the championship.

Kickoff in sold-out Bobcat Stadium is set for 7:05 p.m.

Ransom beat out fellow FBS transfer Knox Kadum for the starting job, but Goff said both are expected to play Saturday.

“They are both good and have gotten better and better,” said Goff. “Each brings something different to the table for us.”

Ransom is more athletic and with a big-time arm while Goff said Kadum is “very calm” in the pocket.

“We are going to use both of them and see where we go from there,” Goff said. “It will be a matter of who preforms better and who rallies the team moving forward.”

Goff did not give a time frame as to when he wants a starter in place for good, just that he prefers to have one guy take the lead role.

He took a page out of new LSU head coach Brian Kelly’s book when he tagged his QBs as 1A and 1B.

While Kadum benefited by being on campus last January and going through spring drills, he was slowed by thumb surgery. Meanwhile, Ransom fought through back issues early in fall camp before being cleared 10 days into the workouts.

Ransom finished the camp’s two scrimmages going 26 of 47 for 484 yards and seven touchdowns, though most of that was done during red-zone work. He also had three carries for 19 yards and a score not counting lost yardage in sacks.

In just one scrimmage Kadum was 13 of 24 for 160 yards, four scores and an interception.

Ransom is a 6-foot-3, 220-pound sophomore from Georgia Southern. The left-hander played in nine games last season (199 snaps) and was 39 of 83 for 494 yards and three touchdowns with one interception.

He also ran for 38 times for 113 yards.

Kadum (6-0/200) transferred in from Power 5 Virginia Tech where in two seasons he went 16 of 30 for 319 yards and an interception in limited action. Considered more of a pocket passer, Kadum ran for 41 yards while with the Hokies.

As for where the team stands just four days before the start of the season, Goff said he is pleased with the progress and ready to get started.

“They are tired of hitting the same guy and ready to go,” said Goff. “We have come a long way. I’m happy with where we are and ready to move forward.”

The players are ready.

“We came out today and attacked,” running back Deonta McMahon said. “You could tell it was different.”

The difference is that game week has finally arrived.