Now that felt more like football camp in the South.

The Cowboys practiced in full pads for the first time Monday morning. 

Unlike the previous week, they were greeted with heat and humidity, but no rain. It was a typical early-season practice for McNeese State, which began its second week of workouts. 

It was also the first time practice went off with no delays.

“Not bad, not bad for the first day of full pads,” said head coach Gary Goff. “It’s actually the first day we had practice as scheduled.

“We had fun today, things got ramped up. We had to calm things down a bit. When you put the full pads on guys want to go live.”

Goff said he has seen a sense of urgency in the Cowboys but would like some things cleaned up this week.

“Going into Week 2 we cannot make the same mistakes as far as alignment and assignments,” Goff said. “If we do, someone else has to get a chance.”

One player making the most of his chances is tight end Logan Mauldin. The junior transfer from Coastal Carolina, had a pair of touchdown grabs Monday. 

His best catch came on a scoring pass from Kamden Sixkiller late in practice inside the red zone. 

Mauldin is part of an improved wide receiver group that expects looks to open up the McNeese offense.

“We got a lot of potential there,” Goff said of the receivers. “We have to put it all together. We can’t make mental mistakes, but I’m excited about that group.”

The Cowboys got a bit of big news Monday when linebacker Micah Davey was named to his second preseason All-American club.

The junior from Baton Rouge who led FCS in total tackles (153), tackles per game (15.3) and solo tackles per game (8.3), last season was selected to the Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-American First Team. 

Earlier in July he was picked to the first team by FCS Football Central. The 6-foot-2, 239-pound Davey made six All-American teams after last season’s record-setting season. He also finished seventh in voting for the coveted Buck Buchanan Award as the best defender on the FCS level.

His 15,3 tackles per game set the McNeese record. Davey finished the year strong, ending with 20 and then 21 tackles in the final two games.

Davey has said he isn’t worried about numbers this year.

“I just want to help us win, help turn this program around,” Davey said.

According to Goff, he looks even better this season.

“Micah looks faster and stronger,” said Goff. “He is excited about this year.”

McNeese will continue practicing in the mornings this week as they get ready for their season opener on Aug. 24 at Tarleton State in Texas.