Promising to light up the scoreboard and fire off the cannons, Gary Goff came to town with the expectation of producing big plays.

Things didn’t turn out that way the first two seasons, as Goff’s air raid offense failed to get off the ground. This year things have been different at McNeese State.

With a new triggerman and an improved group of wide receivers, the Cowboys are starting to find their stride on offense. That has included more than their share of big plays. 

“We want to be explosive,” said Goff. “We want seven explosive plays a game. We want to be an explosive offense.”

The Cowboys (3-2) are doing just that. After the first five games, McNeese has 65 plays of 10 yards or more, 38 of those by way of the pass. There have also been 22 plays gaining 20 yards or better, 25 of those through the air. 

Last season those totals were 129 and 40 respectively. 

Transfer quarterback Clifton McDowell is a big part of the upgrade. 

After a slow start, McDowell has caught fire. He is second in the Southland Conference in total offense at 264.5 yards per game and has accounted for 11 touchdowns. Five of those by running and six through the air.

“(Cliff) is exactly what we were hoping for from him,” Goff said. “Having the right triggerman is a big, big part of this.”

McDowell, who missed a game with an ankle injury, has settled into his new huddle.

“We are getting in rhythm and getting more confidence,” McDowell said. 

Two weeks ago he threw for 313 yards while leading a comeback win over Stephen F. Austin. It was the first 300-plus passing game for McNeese under Goff. Last week he started the game with a 50-yard scoring strike to Kameran Senegal on the Cowboys’ first play from scrimmage.

This year, McDowell has thrown TD passes of 80 yards to Matt McCallister, 54 to Jihad Marks, and 43 to Jamaal Levi. He has also hit Jonathan Harris with a 53-yard pass play.

“I feel like the level of confidence in our passing game has gone way up,” said Harris. “We have all the weapons we need. We definitely want to take more shots.”

Harris has four catches already this year of 20 yards or better, most on the team. He is one of nine players averaging more than 10 yards a catch.

McNeese also has seven rushers who have gained at least 10 yards on a carry with five having gone for better than 20 at least once.

“There are a lot of guys who can make plays,” said Harris. “We want to come out and smack the defense in the mouth, be aggressive and stay on the attack.”

That should lead to more firing of the cannon and lighting up of the scoreboard, just as Goff promised.