As the weather heats up and the days wind down, the Cowboys continue to build for their season opener three weeks away.

With their first scrimmage set for Saturday morning, McNeese State’s workouts are taking on a more urgent style as the calendar flipped to August.

Thursday, the Cowboys worked through a slow start before turning things around. 

“I think we have had a sense of urgency from the first day,” said McNeese head coach Gary Goff. “We have been working hard through a lot of things.”

Thursday, the Cowboys welcomed their newest defensive back, graduate transfer Tiger Peterson from Hawaii. The 6-foot-1, 200-pounder should provide depth at safety for the Cowboys,

“He is a good pickup for us,” said Goff. “He’s four or five days behind so he will have some catching up to do.”

Peterson is the 58th new player in camp and the 21st transfer from the FBS level, which is believed to be the most in FCS this season. That has made for an interesting camp, as competition has been amped up. 

“There are a lot of battles going on,” said running back Joshon Barbie. “It has been an intense camp.”

This week the heat added to the pressure.

“The heat is very welcome,” said Goff. “It adds to the urgency. We were a little sluggish at the start today but we got after them.”

Transfer tight end Logan Mauldin, who came over from Coastal Carolina, has noticed.

“It is warm down here, for sure,” said Mauldin. “It is a different camp because of it.”

Mauldin has had a big camp for the Cowboys, especially in the red zone where his 6-foot-4 frame makes for a big target.

“I just try to be quarterback-friendly,” said Mauldin. “I always work to make myself available for the quarterback. 

“It has been exciting to get to know all the guys and learn this offense. They have given me a chance to make plays.”

Mauldin has caught the attention of Goff.

“The dude is athletic,” said Goff. “He is a real weapon. He can do it all. Not sure we have had a dude like that here since I’ve been here.”

Mauldin is not the only tight end showing off his moves, giving McNeese a lot more options than before. 

Mauldin and the Cowboys will test themselves with the scrimmage Saturday starting at 7 a.m. Goff is expecting about 35 plays a group as that will end Week 2 of camp.

McNeese’s first game is Saturday, Aug. 24 at Tarleton State, just three weeks from the scrimmage.