Granted, it was a small sample size but it is reason for hope.

On a Saturday morning in August, the McNeese State offense looked like it had taken a giant step forward.

In a little more than an hour and 58 plays, the Cowboys put up seven touchdowns during their first scrimmage of the new college football season.

Three weeks before opening night, McNeese head coach Gary Goff had the offense he promised us a year ago.

“I’m pretty pleased,” Goff said. “We started off fast and we played some clean football. We played fast. I liked our tempo.”

The Cowboys picked up 598 yards of total offense and averaged 10.3 yards a play. After looking at the film, Goff had more to say Sunday.

“We had a lot of MAs (missed assignments) on both sides and we had some really great things,” he said. “I would like to see us get a few more takeaways on the defensive side of the ball. Offensive side, we would have had six or seven more expensive plays without some MAs.”

Last season the Cowboys were struggling to pick up first downs. In the scrimmage they averaged one on every snap. That is progress, Goff said.

McNeese has to decide on a starting quarterback, picking between Tre’ Simmons and Nate Glantz. Each had their moments in the scrimmage.

But one gets the feeling that this year the coaches are picking from a position of strength, not desperation.

“Both did some good things and both had some mistakes,” Goff said. “This is a tough decision for the coaches. Both bring a different element to the game.”

Glantz finished 10 of 15 for 185 yards while Simmons was 5 of 7 for 129. Both threw a touchdown.

When Cam McCalister and Ryan Roberts are added to the mix, the quarterbacks were 20 of 31 for 372 yards and three scores. Most important to Goff, not one interception as the offense suffered no turnovers.

“That was big for us,” Goff said. “We turned the ball over a lot last year.”

There was also the introduction of big plays.

Jon McCall had 103 yards on three catches while Aalah Brown had 86 yards and a score with his three grabs.

In all, 11 Cowboys caught passes with Makhi Paris (2-38) and Jalen Wright (1-27) joining Brown in the end zone. Jihad Marks led the way with four catches for 11 yards.

“A lot of guys made some great grabs,” Goff said. “Overall we had a real good day from that room. They answered the challenge.”

For McCall, it was a complete turnaround from the group that struggled a season ago.

“We were a little shaky last year,” McCall said. “We looked to get a lot better this year and have worked hard. The added players have been great for competition.”

The Cowboys also ran for 226 yards on 38 attempts, finishing with four scores.

Junior Ivory Roberts had 104 yards on three carries. Glantz scrambled for another 39 on seven runs. Colbey Hamm (8-24), D’angelo Durham (3-16), and Cam Thomas (6-28) all scored on the ground.

There were other positive signs, Goff said.

Despite the heat, Goff said the Cowboys looked to be in much better shape than a year ago. With increased numbers on the depth chart there wasn’t as much cramping or fatigue at the scrimmage.

And the players were much bigger and playing much more physical.

The defense also had its moments, Goff said. After a slow start, the defense ended with five sacks and numerous pressures.

“We started sluggish but I think we picked it up,” said linebacker Micah Davey. “We were able to make some plays. This is a good offense and it is good for us to be tested.

“We took a giant step from last year.”

Goff said he wants to make sure the defensive plays with confidence and stays aggressive.

The Cowboys were given Monday off as classes began. They also will shift from morning workouts to evenings, starting at 6:30 p.m., Goff said.

“They now have to become student-athletes,” Goff said. “No more just football. And we want to go at night to keep them out of the heat. It’s good to change and get used to some adversity.”