Games against FCS opponents are (usually) a load of fun. Utah State has typically done well against them, recording blowout victories even in relatively down years. The Aggies managed a solid 36-14 win over Robert Morris last year, even as an eventual 4-8 team that also lost its starting quarterback in the first half.
Perhaps it’s not worth the significant effort to preview a team Utah State is supposed to beat by 28-plus points, but that kind of attitude handed the Aggies a loss to an FCS opponent a mere three seasons ago.
This is the in-depth preseason preview of Utah State’s third opponent of the season, the McNeese State Cowboys.
Other Opponent Previews
Game Info
- Game Day: Sept. 20
- Location: Merlin Olsen Field (Logan, UT)
- Kickoff Time: 6 p.m.
- TV Broadcast: KMYU, Mountain West Network
- Radio Broadcast: KVNU 102.1 FM / 610 AM
Quick-Hit Info on McNeese
- Head Coach: Matt Viator (1st season in second stint at McNeese, had 78-33 record in 10 seasons with team from 2006-2015)
- 2024 Record: 6-6
- 2024 Offense Rank (FCS): 60th (25.0 points per game)
- 2024 Defense Rank (FCS): 36th (23.2 points allowed per game)
History of Utah State vs this opponent
- All-Time Series: This is the first-ever meeting between Utah State and McNeese State
Opposing Players to Watch
- Alex Flores (QB)
- Tre’Vonte Citizen (RB)
- Jonathan Harris (WR)
- Masey Lewis (DE)
- Welland Williams (DT)
- Ryan Robinson (DB)
- Javon Davis (DB)
- Mason Edwards (DB) – former Utah State athlete
The Cowboys in 2024
McNeese dramatically improved from a 1-10 season in 2023 (the one victory came only by forfeit when their opponent cancelled their season following the tragic death of one of their players) by going 6-6 and managing to reach No. 22 in the FCS rankings by early October. The season began with a narrow defeat at the hands of No. 21 Tarleton State but McNeese won its next four games against FCS teams, including a win at No. 25 Weber State.
Unfortunately, things went mostly downhill from there. In their only week inside the top 25, McNeese lost by 21 points to Houston Christian (43-22) which kicked off a three-game losing streak. Wins over the eventual 3-9 East Texas A&M and winless Northwestern State were cold comfort.
To rub salt into the wounds of a frustratingly mediocre season, the year ended with a dramatic loss in the Battle of the Border rivalry game against Lamar. That game saw Lamar score a 20-yard touchdown on an untimed down at the end of regulation.
2025 Season Prospects
McNeese fired head coach Gary Goff at the conclusion of the 2024 season, choosing to bring back program legend Matt Viator for another stint as coach. Viator led McNeese to five FCS playoff berths and four Southland Conference championships in his 10-year tenure. In 2016 he left to become head coach at Louisiana-Monroe and lasted five season before being let go. He managed a mere 19-39 record in those five years. Viator then spent four seasons at Louisiana as an offensive analyst.
But now Viator is back in the saddle and ready to try and recreate the high level of success he previously brought to McNeese. Whether he’s able to manage a similar level of success in the transfer portal/NIL era will be a big storyline with his return.
Fitting for the portal/NIL era, Viator’s first task will be to replace a heck of a lot or lost production. On defense, the team lost three of its top four in sacks, four of its top five in TFLs and each of its top five in tackles through the transfer portal or graduation. Overall, only three of the top 11 players in snaps last year for the Cowboys are on the roster for 2025 — Javon Davis, Masey Lewis and Welland Williams.
There are some decent replacements coming in for the defense, though. Three FBS transfers will bolster the unit — Kent State defensive tackle Keenan Landry along with a pair of defensive backs, Ryan Robinson from Iowa State and former Aggie Mason Edwards.
Despite the change in head coach, McNeese retains its defensive coordinator, Tony Pecoraro, who finally got the defense turned around last year. The unit went from being ranked 84th in points allowed in 2022 and 118th in 2023 to being 36th last year. That continuity should count for something even with the significant amount of attrition.
On offense there’s a solid amount of returning production, at least slightly more than the defense. Two starters return on the offensive line, center William Bressi and left tackle Greg Knox, along with the key reserve tackle Elijah Melendez. Two FBS transfers join the crew, Joseph Cryer from Southern Miss and Reagan Gill of SMU.
The wide receiver room lost its leader in receiving yards, Jer’Michael Carter, but return the next five players on the team receiving leaderboard. Having so much receiving production returning will help the new starting quarterback. Last year’s two main guys, Clifton McDowell and winner-of-the-coolest-college-athlete-name Kamden Sixkiller are both gone. The top candidate is likely to be Alex Flores who appeared in four games and completed 34 of 51 passes for 337 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. The downside with Flores is that he isn’t as much of a runner as the pair of QBs last year who combined for 511 rushing yards.
The running back room should be strong as well, even with last year’s leading rusher, Joshon Barbie (149 rushes, 831 yards, eight TDs) gone. His primary backup, Bryce Strong returns and they brought in a bulky transfer back from Miami, the 6-foot-2, 223-pound Tre’Vonte Citizen. Both should get a decent amount of carries and bring some solid production with the offense.
The offense should be capable of being better, so long as the quarterback situation doesn’t go south with a new starter. There’s a good baseline in the run game and enough weapons in the WR and TE rooms to make things run smoothly in the pass game. Where the real questions lie on this team is the defense. With so many lost snaps to the portal and graduation, a lot of growth has to happen quickly for players, especially in the front seven.
Preseason Game Prediction — Blowout Win
You don’t play FCS teams to have close games. Utah State should win and win big. If they don’t it raises uncomfortable questions for the team for the short term at minimum and potentially season-long worries at worst.
