The more things change the more they seem to stay the same.

At least for one game.

A night of high hopes saw storms delay the start, but could not wash out the disappointment of opening night for the Cowboys.

Tarleton State rolled into Lake Charles and thundered past McNeese State, 52-34, in a game that started 55 minutes late thanks to lightning delays.

It was a disappointing start to Gary Goff’s second season at the helm of the Cowboys, who managed little offense and allowed way too many yards on defense Saturday night before a crowd of 12,074.

One game doesn’t make a season, but it sure can kill a buzz.

“I’m shocked,” said Goff. “I did not see this coming.”

Nobody did.

Calling the game “disappointing” and “frustrating” Goff seemed at a loss figuring out what had happened.

“We played a little timid,” he said. “This is not the team that has been practicing all summer.”

The Texans simply bullied McNeese most of the night. Only a couple of Cowboy interceptions in the end zone slowed the Tarleton storm.

“I’ll take the blame,” Goff said. “It’s not their fault. We will get them right.”

Truth be told, there is enough blame to go around.

A couple of missed throws that could have led to touchdowns, including the first play on offense, were just the beginning of the storm that was coming. There were also six sacks, a problem last season as well, that added to the woes. And there was a defense that allowed 544 yards of total offense to the Texans.

“We could not get going on each side of the ball,” said Goff. “We were off on all of our throws for whatever reason. And on defense, we could not get off the field.”

Tarleton finished 8-of-12 on third downs while McNeese was 4-for-19, another problem back from last season.

“I’m taken aback by this,” said Goff. “We were not locked in.”

Especially when the Texans went on a 35-0 run over 15:11 between the third and fourth quarters. That came after McNeese had grabbed a 24-17 lead on a 1-yard Nate Glantz run. The Iowa State transfer with two TD runs but was a disappointing 15-of-35 for just 166 yards passing.

Meanwhile, Victor Gabalis, making his first start for Tarleton since transferring from Utah Tech in the offseason, was a crisp 20-of-34 for 344 yards and three scores.

Derrel Kelley ran for 136 yards on 18 carries and a score, and Kayvon Britten finished with 82 yards on 19 and two touchdowns. Britten also had a score as a receiver.

As for the Pokes, they struggled to get going. D’Angelo Durham was held to just 45 yards and one score as the Pokes averaged just 3.6 yards a play.

The Texans averaged 7.5 and were easily able to overcome three turnovers.

The only real highlight for McNeese was Cam Thomas’ 91-yard kickoff return in the first quarter to tie the game at 7-7. Garrison Smith did connect on a pair of field goals, hitting from 27 and 26 yards.

For his career Smith is 12-of-13 on field goal tries and perfect on 29 extra points.

McNeese will travel to Gainsville next week to take on Florida to begin a 3-game road trip. The Pokes won’t be home until Sept. 30 when they open Southland Conference play against Nicholls.

“This game was not our best effort,” said Goff. “This will not define us. We will get it right.

“We can still win every one of our league games and make the playoffs.”

Goff is hoping this storm will pass soon.