The second Matt Viator era at McNeese State will begin with a historic opening.

Viator returns as the Cowboy head coach after a nine-year absence tied for most wins in program history at 78. 

He should stand alone after the season-opener against NAIA Louisiana Christian from Pineville inside Cowboy Stadium on Saturday night, Aug. 30. 

The game will debut McNeese’s new $32M pressbox, which includes 22 luxury suites. The upgrade is part of the facility’s recovery from the devastation caused by Hurricane Laura five years ago.

The Cowboys will then travel to Lafayette for a game against their old rivals, the Ragin Cajuns of the Sun Belt League. In Week 2, ULL will debut its own stadium additions during its home opener.

It will be the first meeting between the neighbors since 2016. 

McNeese will play two teams from Utah in the following two games. First, the Cowboys will host Weber State, which they beat in a thriller on the road last season.

Next, they will return to Utah for a game against Utah Tech in St. George during Week 4 before starting Southland League play.

While the Southland Conference has not officially released the league schedule, they are expected to play four home games, one more than last season. 

The Cowboys will likely host Houston Christian, Southeastern, Northwestern State, and Southland newcomer Texas-Rio Grande Valley, which will make its debut football season this fall.

McNeese is expected to play road games against East Texas A&M, Nicholls, Stephen F. Austin and finish the year against rival Lamar. 

The Cowboys are not expected to play Incarnate Word next fall. However, the Cardinals, who have won a portion of each of the last two Southland titles, will again be considered contenders for the crown next season.

As for the Cowboys, they are coming off a 6-6 campaign that saw them finish 3-4 in the conference after going 0-10 in 2023. Hope is that under Viator, McNeese can relieve some of the success he had during his first 10 seasons leading the program.

Viator’s teams won four SLC championships and made five FCS playoff appearances during his decade on the sidelines, from 2006 to 2015. He has already filled his coaching staff, and they hope to start adding players this week.

The Cowboys schedule:

Aug. 30 vs. Louisiana College 

Sept. 6 @ Louisiana-Lafayette

Sept. 13 vs. Weber State

Sept. 20 at Utah Tech

Southland Conference expected games

Home:

HCU, Southeastern, Northwestern State, UTRGV

Away:

Nicholls, SFA, ETAM, Lamar