There is a different feel to the Cowboys as they begin the final week of preparations for Saturday night’s season opener.

A year ago Gary Goff was trying to figure out just what he had going into his debut as the McNeese State head coach. He found out the hard way he didn’t have enough of anything.

This year though Goff is confident he has the pieces for an improved Cowboy season in place.

“I’m happy where we are at right now,” Goff said Monday at his first official press conference of the new season. “We are healthy and ready to go.

“What we really need is a football game. We are tired of going against each other.”

Goff’s Pokes will get that wish when they host Tarleton State this weekend. Kickoff Saturday is set for 7 p.m. inside Cowboy Stadium and will be streamed on ESPN+.

“It has been a great camp, a healthy camp,” said Goff. “Both sides of the ball, offense and defense, are way ahead of last year.”

Goff himself says he is in a better place this year. No longer is he trying to play catchup with a group that was new to him as well.

His expectations and those of his players are now on the same page.

“I am a lot more comfortable this time around,” Goff said. “It comes down to trust.

I trust this team, this team trusts the coaching staff.

“It’s not about who is the new sheriff in town or why do we have all these new rules and policies. The level of trust from top to bottom takes the end off of things.”

Monday also revealed some interesting things on the depth chart for the Cowboys. While there was no true No. 1 quarterback listed, Goff continued to say he has made a decision he just wasn’t telling anybody outside the team.

“I still don’t think there is any reason to do so,” said Goff.

While it is expected Nate Glantz will get the start Saturday evening Tre’ Simmons is also likely to play some.

“I have never played two quarterbacks before, but we have two very good football players there,” said Goff. “We won’t change any packages for them.”

Goff said there is no plan for when a change would be made or how often, only that the game will dictate what happens. When asked if he felt this could lead to any split in the team, he said he didn’t think so.
“I haven’t sensed any of that,” said Goff. “There is a possibility of that, but it is a new day and age of football. If you got two great players then why not use them.”

Maybe the biggest starting surprise is at nose guard. Trey Winters is listed as the starter just a couple of months after moving over from the offensive line.

The 6-foot-7, 360-pound Winters has been impressive since turning to defense back in the spring.

“From Day 1 he has had the best attitude,” Goff said. “He is so strong it’s hard for two guys to keep him out. He has developed into a guy who will play about 30 snaps for us.”

The biggest difference heading into this season is the depth. With 57 new players McNeese won’t have to worry about running out of healthy bodies at some positions like last season.

“This program is headed in the right direction,” said Goff.