Coming off their biggest win in nine seasons, the Cowboys get set to return to the Southland Conference with new-found confidence and much higher aspirations.

Thanks to a thrilling 28-26 upset victory over No. 25 Weber State last Saturday night in Ogden, Utah, McNeese State sent a clear message that the program’s rebuild is in full swing.

The win over Weber ended two streaks, snapping a five-game skid against Top 25 teams and an eight-game losing streak on the road.

It also propelled McNeese back into the polls for the first time since the 2021 spring season’s opening week. Monday the Cowboys were voted No.22 in the STATS Perform Poll and No. 24 in the Coaches Poll.

“Rankings are great and a big deal for everyone, but we can’t worry about that,” said McNeese head coach Gary Goff Monday to kick off his weekly press conference. “It is great for the school and the program, but we have to stay focused.”

At 4-2, the Cowboys are off to their best start since that 2018 season. They will take a three-game winning streak back into SLC play when they travel to Houston Christian on Saturday. 

McNeese has a leg up on the rest of the Southland, having already won a league game. Thanks to their victory over Stephen F. Austin, they sit at the top of the conference standings. 

The Cowboys are 4-1 against FCS teams with the only loss being a 3-pointer at No.14 Tarleton State to open the season. Their other loss came against Texas A&M from the FBS level.

“This is a perfect trap game,” said Goff. “I don’t want to lose the momentum we got going. My job is to keep them locked in this week.”

After Saturday night, McNeese will get a much-deserved bye, their first of two down the stretch. The Cowboys are the only team to have played seven games through the first six weeks in Division I.

“Our guys have put themselves in a good position,” said Goff. “Four-and-two is not going to get us where we want though. We haven’t done a single thing yet.”

The good start does set a new standard and raise expectations for the season’s second half.

“This is the new norm,” said McNeese quarterback Clifton McDowell. “We just have to come in on Mondays and try to go 1-0 for the week. Don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves.”

The Cowboys are closing in on getting a couple of big pieces back to their lineup. Linebackers Tristan Driggers and Micah Davey could return this weekend from injuries.

Davey has missed the last three games and is expected to start back at practice on a limited basis Wednesday. Driggers sat out last week with an ankle injury.

“There is really a good chance Tristan will be good to go Saturday,” said Goff. “Micah, we will see how he is during practice this week.”

McNeese punter Finn Lappin was named the Special Teams Player of the Week Monday by the Southland Conference. Lappin finished with six punts for a 51.2 mark with a long of 58. 

It was the second-best punting average in Cowboy history. He downed one punt inside the WSU 20 and had three punts travel at least 50 yards in the win. 

Lappin is the third McNeese player in five weeks to be named the Southland’s special teams top performer for the week and the fourth Cowboy to earn a league honor overall.

Goff reiterated how tough HCU might be. The Huskies beat McNeese for the first time in six tries last season in Lake Charles as the Cowboys suffered through a 1-10 season.

“Let’s not forget where we are coming from,” said Goff. “This team came over here last year and beat us. We can’t overlook anybody.”