While Texas A&M will be looking to get right Saturday, the Cowboys are hoping to keep building as the teams meet for just the second time.

An expected crowd of up over 102,000 fans will greet McNeese State as it travels to Kyle Field for the first time since 2001 when they lost to the Aggies 34-20 after leading by six at halftime. 

Kickoff is set for 11:45 a.m. and will be broadcast on the SEC Network, McNeese’s second national-televised game in the opening three weeks.

The rebuilding Cowboys also have some momentum after picking up their first on-field victory in 21 months as they challenge one of the SEC’s bigger names. It will be McNeese’s fourth game ever against an SEC team. 

The last time they played Texas A&M it was in the Big 12. They played in Florida last season, which could help when dealing with the big crowd.

“I hope it helps a lot,” said McNeese head coach Gary Goff. “I think there’s about 30,000 more fans than at Florida, but you know it’s going to be a great atmosphere. I want us to have that experience and take it all in.

“Once the ball gets kicked off, we have to focus on playing as best as we can. That is our mindset.”

The McNeese players are looking forward to the opportunity.

“You love to play in these games,” said guard Dylan Dauzart. “We get a chance to see how we stack up against some of the best players in the country.”

For the 1-1 Cowboys, the big question is the health of starting quarterback Clifford McDowell, who missed two days of practice with an ankle injury. He will attempt to work out before the game and see how he feels.

“It will be a game-time decision,” Goff said. “We will watch him and make the decision. If he plays then we feel he is ready to go.”

If McDowell can’t go, redshirt freshman Kamden Sixkiller will get the fourth start of his career.

“We have all the confidence in Six,” said Goff. “He has had a good week of practice.”

Sixkiller played about half the game last week when McNeese beat Southern 21-7, finishing 9 of 19 for 84 yards. McDowell has scored two touchdowns and thrown for two more, giving him a hand in four of the six Cowboy TDs this season.

McNeese would like to get its running game going but six turnovers through the first two weeks have made it tough to stick with the plan.

“We have to hold on to the football,” said Goff. “We can’t turn the ball over, especially against a team like this.”

The Aggies enter the game smarting after losing their opener last week at home to No. 5 Notre Dame, 23-13. That knocked them out of the Top 25 after starting the season at No. 20.

With playoff aspirations, Texas A&M needs to put on a good show and get its passing game going. Quarterback Conner Weigman finished just 12 of 30 for 100 yards and a pair of interceptions against the Irish.

“Offensively, obviously we struggled in the passing game,” Aggie head coach Mike Elko said. “It starts with us. I think we’ve got to try to find some ways to create better opportunities for our kids to get open and get vertical down the field and make plays.”

Elko will be looking for his first victory with Texas A&M since moving over from Duke in the offseason. 

“I have to play better, period,” said Weigman. “No excuses. I have to be more accurate, it’s as simple as that.”

McNeese will counter the Aggie offense with an improved defense led by All-American linebacker Micah Davey, who topped the country in tackles per game last year at 15.3. He is back on track with 31 over the first two games including 17 against Southern. It was his 14th straight game with double-digit tackles.

Elko knows these games can be dangerous. 

“They are going to be at their best,” said Elko. “This is their opportunity to come play on the big stage. Kids are competitors and they’re certainly going to rise to that challenge. We anticipate their best.”

McNeese will get $500,000 for the game and then turn their attention to conference play the following week when they host Stephen F. Austin to begin Southland action.