McNeese State travels to Charleston, Illinois for its final game before Southland Conference play begins. The Pokes (0-3) will take on an improved Eastern Illinois team that’s 2-1 after winning just five games over the previous four seasons.

McNeese is looking to avoid its first 0-4 start in 69 years.

The Pokes lost their first five games in 1954 and finished 2-8.

Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at O’Brien Field.

“This is a big game because it is our next game,” said McNeese head coach Gary Goff. “I don’t want to say it is a crossroads game and put even more pressure on our players and coaches.”

However, McNeese fans are getting a bit restless. They expected a turnaround like the one the Panthers are experiencing.

“There is not a big difference between the two programs when you look at them on film,” said Goff. “The biggest difference is they have won some close ballgames and they believe.”

The Cowboys were able to knock off Eastern last year 29-15 behind the running of Deonta McMahon. It was their third win in three tries all-time against the Panthers.

“We went down there and frankly got bullied around,” said EIU head coach Chris Wilkerson. “We are 0-3 against McNeese and I have been a part of all three of those.”

Wilkerson is in his second year as the Panther head coach but played for the program in the 1990s.

“McNeese is a very talented team,” Wilkerson added. “They are like us, they are not where they want to be yet but they are building the right way. They still have three quality backs and are big and physical.”

Goff said the biggest difference between the two teams is that the Panthers believe they can win. McNeese needs a big game to gain some confidence.

“I want us to go out there, play hard and have some fun,” Goff said. “If we do that the score will take care of itself.”

Hanging onto the football will be key for McNeese. Eastern leads the country in takeaways with 10, seven of those being interceptions, two of which have been returned for touchdowns.

The Panthers will give some back as well, having turned the ball over six times themselves.

As for the Pokes, they just want to get some offense going. They have scored just one touchdown in their last eight quarters and had only four plays before being down 14-0 last week to Alcorn State.

“We have to sustain drives that end with positive kicks,” said Goff. “We have to find ways to get off the field on defense on third downs and stay on it on offense.”

The Pokes are just 9-of-36 (25 percent) on third downs while their opponents have converted on 23-of-34, 68%. That has helped account for McNeese being outscored 118-44.

The Cowboys will be looking to put pressure on Eastern quarterback Pierce Holley, a transfer from Georgetown. EIU QB’s have been sacked 14 times this season but McNeese’s defense has had just one.

As for the Cowboys, their quarterbacks have been sacked 12 times but Eastern has just three as a defense.

“Both teams will want to put pressure on the other,” Goff said. “We want to keep our quarterback upright and get to theirs.”

Holley has connected on 76-of-111 passes for 785 yards and six touchdowns, but he has thrown four interceptions. McNeese’s Nate Glantz has struggled, connecting on just 34-of-72 with no touchdowns and two picks.

Still, Goff remains committed to the Iowa State transfer, calling him “my guy.”

The Cowboys don’t want to admit they are desperate for a victory, but everybody else around Lake Charles seems to be.

“What we really need is a spark,” Goff said.

Maybe a win at Eastern Illinois can be that spark that fires up a win streak before the Cowboys season goes up in flames.