Texas A&M Commerce just as desperate as McNeese for a victory

Published 3:34 pm Friday, October 6, 2023

Stop me if you heard this one before; two winless teams meet on a football field and …

For the second straight week, the Cowboys will play a team just as desperate for victory as them, but it is nothing to joke about.

McNeese State travels to Texas A&M-Commerce in hopes of avoiding the first 0-6 start in program history. The Cowboys find themselves 0-5 overall and 0-1 in Southland Conference play.

The last time McNeese started 0-5 was 69 years ago in 1954. For Commerce (0-4) Saturday night’s game is the league opener and just second home contest. The Lions haven’t been in Memorial Stadium since the opening weekend.

“Commerce is very similar to us,” said McNeese head coach Gary Goff. “They are looking to get that first win and get going.”

The Cowboys believe they are close as quarterback Nate Glantz has thrown for 395 yards and three touchdowns over the last two games. All three of his scoring passes have gone to sophomore Jon McCall.

“We are still confident about the season and I believe close to breaking out of it,” said Glantz.

As for any talk about a fractured locker room, Glantz said the Cowboys are all on the same page.

“We are together in this,” Glantz said. “We are still working hard. Winning will solve a lot of things.”

McNeese is hoping that a victory in its final game before the bye week could springboard the Cowboys into a solid second half like a year ago when they won their last three.

“The season hasn’t started the way we want,” said Goff. “We have continued to work hard. I am proud of how the guys have handled it.

“We have to go out there as if we are 5-0.”

The Cowboys will look to take advantage of a Lions defense that is allowing 311 yards a game through the air. For the Pokes to do that they must take advantage of their chances when Commerce sends pressure.

McNeese has given up 15 sacks on the season, so giving Glantz time to throw will be a big key.

“They will do a lot of different things on defense,” said Goff. “They will put lots of pressure on us, trying to keep our quarterback guessing. And when we get our chance we have to make them pay.

“We want people to pressure us. It gives us a chance to make a play downfield.”

Besides McCall, the Cowboys will be counting on a young group of receivers, including Makhi Paris, a true freshman who is making his third start. He has 12 catches for 174 yards.

On defense the goal is pretty simple, make the Lions throw.

“We have to stop the run,” said Goff.

That has not been easily done. The Cowboys allow an average of 244 yards a game on the ground, worst in the Southland.

The Lions will try to run the ball with Reggie Branch leading the way. Branch has 262 yards on 46 carries and a touchdown.

McNeese will attempt to make Commerce beat them by throwing the football, something the Lions struggle at. They are last in the SLC averaging only 140 yards a game through the air.

The Pokes will also benefit from a pair of defensive backs returning from injury. Preseason All-SLC pick Javon Davis returns after being injured in the season opener against Tarleton. Jaylen Jackson comes back after being out the last two games.

“Davis is a physical player who should help against the run as will Jackson,” said Goff.

Still, this game will likely come down to how well McNeese plays. The Cowboys committed 10 penalties and four turnovers in last week’s loss to Nicholls.

“We can’t shoot ourselves in the foot,” said Goff. “We have to play clean football.”

Commerce has forced 12 turnovers in its four games, including picking off eight passes.

McNeese will also have to bounce back from a week that saw two quarterbacks, Tre’ Simmons and Cameron McCalister, leave the program.

“I am fine with all the decisions some folks have made,” said Goff. “In order for us to turn this program around, we all have to be on the same page going in the same direction.”

McNeese hopes that direction this week leads to a victory.