A lot to build on, a lot still to fix.

It was a mixed-bag opener for the new-look Cowboys, who often resembled their recent past Saturday while also looking like they have a promising future.

However, turnovers, penalties, sideline confusion, and clock mismanagement issues were too much for McNeese State to overcome in Stephenville, Texas.

With it, the Cowboys missed a golden opportunity to knock off the No. 21 team in the country and jumpstart their hopeful turnaround.

Instead, the 26-23 loss to Tarleton State was a heartbreaking way to open a campaign with so much on the line.

It did, however, show two things.

First, it showed how good the Cowboys can be this season, as they dominated the second half against a playoff hopeful in the Texas heat.

Second, it showed how much work needs to be done for McNeese to become elite once again.

In the end, the loss was the Cowboys’ 12th straight on the field over the last three seasons and perhaps the toughest of them all to swallow. Whether you think it is more of the same or a sign of good things to come depends on if your glass is half empty or half full.

Let’s start with the glass half full.

After four first-half turnovers that led to 12 Texan points and a 26-7 hole, McNeese found its game and dominated the second half against likely the best FCS team they will face this season. Over the final 30 minutes, the Cowboys were the better team.

New quarterback Clifton McDowell owned the fourth quarter and had the Cowboys in position to tie the game if not win it outright. But Tyler Larco pushed a 44-yard field goal try just wide to the right with four seconds left.

However, it should be noted the Cowboys kicked on third down after being forced to use their final timeout because of a procedure penalty. There would have been a 10-second runoff and the game would have ended if they didn’t. So head coach Gary Goff’s options were limited.

While the last drive was solid, it didn’t seem to have the urgency needed to make a full run to the end zone and a win.

But the final 15 minutes do give McNeese fans hope.

McDowell finished 13 of 19 for 242 yards and a pair of touchdown passes. He also ran for 67 more yards on 20 carries. 

He hit freshman Jamaal Levi with a 43-yard TD pass and Matt McCallister with an 80-yarder. For both, it was the first time they touched the football as Cowboys.

The defense did its job, led by Micah Davey’s 14 tackles. McNeese held the Texans scoreless after the half, though it should be noted that they were playing with a backup quarterback.

The Cowboys ran for 200 yards but nine penalties proved very costly. Tarleton was flagged just once.

McNeese had a two-point conversion called back because of a penalty and missed an extra point. Those points missed proved costly. Self-inflicted wounds are the worst. 

Early in the game there were also missed chances to stop Texan drives on third-and-long, as the Cowboys couldn’t get off the field when needed. And there was a fumble returned for a score. 

Kasyus Kurns’ 29-yard score off a Joshon Barbie fumble was the big blow to McNeese in the first half. Barbie’s second fumble came when the Cowboys were driving for a possible score at the end of the second quarter.

McDowell’s fumble led to the game’s first points, a 53-yard Michael James field goal four minutes into the contest. His lone interception killed another Cowboy drive at midfield and ended with James’ 34-yard boot.

In the end, the game came down to what could have been for the Cowboys, who seem much improved in some areas and too much the same in others.

Now we will find out what direction this season will be headed next week when the Pokes open their home season against Southern. 

Cleanup is needed, but unlike the last few years, there seem to be tools to complete the task. 

It’s up to them which way it goes.