Gary Goff came to town promising to “fire the cannons” through a big-play offensive attack.

His first year as McNeese State head coach didn’t work out that way.

If Saturday morning is any indication, year two under Goff could be quite different.

Behind a bevy of big plays, the Cowboys produced 598 yards of total offense and seven touchdowns during a scrimmage that lasted just over an hour. McNeese averaged 10.3 yards on 58 plays.

It was the first of two scrimmages for the Cowboys this month. The next one is set for Friday night inside Cowboy Stadium.

“I’m pretty pleased,” said Goff. “We started off fast and we played some clean football. We played fast. I liked our tempo.”

Even the heat could not slow McNeese, which got solid performances from both quarterbacks fighting for the starting job.

Tre’ Simmons hit Jalen Johnson with a long pass on his first throw of the day. Nate Glantz was just as strong with his work as both led to touchdowns on their first drives.

“Both of those guys are very talented,” said Goff. “This is a tough decision for the coaches. Both bring a different element to the game.

“Both had a great scrimmage.”

Glantz finished 10-of-15 for 185 yards while Simmons was 5-of-7 for 129. Both threw a touchdown.

When you add Cam McCalister and Ryan Roberts to the mix, the McNeese quarterbacks were 20-of-31 for 372 yards and three scores. Most important to Goff, not one interception as the Poke offense suffered no turnovers.

“That was big for us,” said Goff. “We turned the ball over a lot last year.”

The QBs being good was expected, the receivers were a big plus.

Jon McCall had 103 yards on three catches while Aalah Brown had 86 yards and a score with his three grabs.

In all 11 Cowboys caught passes with Makhi Paris (2-38) and Jalen Wright (1-27) joining Brown in the end zone. Jihad Marks led the Cowboys with four catches for 11 yards.

“How about Jon McCall,” said Goff. “He has soft hands and can go get the ball. He can make big plays.

“A lot of guys made some great grabs. Overall we had a real good day from that room. They answered the challenge.”

For McCall, it was a complete turnaround from the group that struggled a season ago.

“We were a little shaky last year,” McCall said. “We looked to get a lot better this year and have worked hard. The added players have been great for competition.”

Brown, a transfer from Jackson State, believes this is just the beginning of what the receivers can do.

“We really came out fast,” said Brown. “We have the right mindset. I think we have a chance to do some really big things this season.”

The Cowboys also ran for 226 yards on 38 attempts, finishing with four scores.

Junior Ivory Roberts had 104 yards on just three carries. Glantz scrambled for another 39 on seven runs. Colbey Hamm (8-24), D’Angelo Durham (3-16) and Cam Thomas (6-28) all scored on the ground for McNeese.

After a slow start the defense also had its moments. Five times the Cowboys sacked the quarterback.

“We started sluggish but I think we picked it up,” said linebacker Micah Davey. “We were able to make some plays. This is a good offense and it is good for us to be tested.

“We took a giant step from last year.”

Punter Callum Eddings had the kick of the day, blasting a 76-yard punt that was downed at the one. He averaged 60 yards on two punts.

When asked where the Cowboys were from a year ago, Goff simply said, “I have blacked out most of last year.”

If the Cowboys can build on Saturday, the 2022 campaign will be long forgotten.

STATS

Offense

Passing

Total Passing: 20-31-0, 372, 3 TD.

Nate Glantz 10-15-0—185, TD; Tre Simmons 5-7-0—129, TD; Cameron McCalister 3-5-0—52, TD; Ryan Roberts 2-4-0—6. 

Rushing

Total Rushing: 38-226, 4 TDs.

Ivory Roberts 3-104; Nate Glantz 7-39; Cam Thomas 6-28, TD; Coleby Hamm 8-24, 2 TD; D’Angelo Durham 3-16, TD; Tre Simmons 5-10; Joshon Barbie 6-5. 

Receiving

Jihad Marks 4-11; Jon McCall 3-103; Aalah Brown 3-86, TD; Makhi Paris 2-38, TD; Tyler Goff 2-20; Jalen Johnson 1-39; Jalen Wright 1-27, TD; Austin Watkins 1-11; Jonathan Harris 1-10; Cam Thomas 1-6; Gage Hildreth 1-(1-4). 

Total Offense: 58 plays, 598 yards, 7 TDs.

Defense

Sacks: Kylen Armstead, Khylon Chapple, Micah Davey, Mark Fielder, Tony Gibson.

Tackle for loss: Brayden Adams, Khaylon Chapple, Mark Fielder, Jake Held, TJ McCants, Carlos Sanders, Cody Smith.

Pass break ups: Jackson Anders, Twillie Lovett.

Special Teams

Punting: Callum Eddings (44, 76)

Scoring Drives

3 plays, 65 yards, 0:45 — D’Angelo Durham 11 run (Garrison Smith kick).

12 plays, 65 yards, 5:16 — Coleby Hamm 4 run (Smith kick).

9 plays, 67 yards, 3:13 — Jalen Wright 27 pass from Cameron McCalister (Matthew Krneta kick).

4 plays, 76 yards, 1:39 — Aalah Brown 47 pass from Tre Simmons.

8 plays, 70 yards, 3:47 — Cam Thomas 2 run.

4 plays, 20 yards, 1:41 — Coleby Hamm 10 run.

1 play, 20 yards, 0:05 — Makhi Parish 20 pass from Nate Glantz.