LAKE CHARLES – The long wait is finally over.
 
For the first time since Nov. 2, 2019; a global pandemic, two major hurricanes and an ice storm, Cowboy Stadium will see its first action on Saturday at noon when McNeese hosts Incarnate Word to open up Southland Conference play, which also happens to be six months to the day when Hurricane Laura smashed into Southwest Louisiana with 150 mph sustained winds.
 
The game will broadcast live on ESPN Plus. It'll also air live on the McNeese Radio Network (92.9 The Lake and 929thelake.com).
 
Fans will be admitted free to the game with approximately 2,800 seats available. Tickets will be handed out when entering the main entrance.
 
The Cowboys (1-0), ranked 19^th in this week's Sports Perform FCS Top 25 poll, was hoping to use last week's bye week as a way to have more time to prepare for UIW (0-0), but instead, an ice storm caused water stoppages and broken pipes, while ice and snow also covered the practice fields and Louis Bonnette Field in Cowboy Stadium.
 
"We used the week to heal some bumps and bruises," said first year head coach Frank Wilson. "With the ice and snow covering all the fields, we weren't going to take the chance to get our guys out there and have someone get hurt."
 
GAMEDAY NOTES:
McNEESE OPENS HOME SEASON AGAINST UIW
• This Saturday, Feb. 27, will mark exactly 6 months to the day when Hurricane Laura changed the landscape of McNeese State University, Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana when its 150 mph sustained winds barreled through the region in the early morning hours of August 27.
• McNeese will play its first-ever spring season game in Cowboy Stadium on Saturday at noon against UIW and the first home game overall since Nov. 2, 2019 when it defeated Northwestern State by a 30-20 score.
• The Cowboys have posted a 43-12 record in "The Hole" over the last 10 seasons and are 2-0 at home against UIW, winning 55-7 in 2017 and 43-6 in 2015.
 
ORGERON, ABEL EARNS WEEK 1 SLC PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS
• Orgeron, the league's offensive player of the week, accounted for all five of the Cowboys' touchdowns in a thrilling 40-37 overtime victory over Tarleton State on Feb. 13.
• He recorded 278 total offensive yards - 170 passing (14 for 34, 3 TDs) and 108 rushing  (19 carries, 2 TDs).
• Trailing by 14 with just under three minutes remaining, Orgeron connected with Mason Pierce for a 26-yard touchdown to cut the Texans' lead in half. After McNeese recovered the onside kick, Orgeron found Trevor Begue in the endzone with 35 ticks on the clock to send the game into overtime. The heroics continued for Orgeron as he dashed 19 yards for the winning score in the second overtime period.
• Orgeron was also named Stats Perform National Offensive POW honorable mention.
• Abel scored 10 points for the Cowboys against TSU in picking up the special teams POW honor.
• The junior transfer connected on all four PAT tries and two field goals, both from 21 yards out.
• His 2nd 21-yard field goal came in the first overtime period while he sailed through two crucial PATs with under three minutes to play, the second coming with 35 seconds remaining in regulation to send the game into overtime.
 
WILSON GETS WIN NO.1 IN OPENER
• First year head coach Frank Wilson took over the helm on January 16, 2020 to become McNeese's 17th head coach in school history, got his first win as the Cowboy head coach in the Feb. 13, thrilling 40-37 double-ot win against Tarleton State.
• It had been 394 days since his hiring when the Cowboys took the field.
 
HOME OPENER SUCCESS
• McNeese will enter Saturday's game having won its last 15 home openers.
•Of those 15, three were Southland Conference games and five others were against FCS opponents.
• The home opener winning streak is tied with Montana as the 7th longest in all of FCS.
 
COWBOYS IN SLC OPENERS
• Since the 2000 season, McNeese has compiled an 11-9 record in Southland Conference openers but a 7-3 mark when opening conference play at home.
• Saturday will mark the first time since the 2016 season the Cowboys have opened up league play at home, that being a 31-28 loss to Stephen F. Austin.
 
WHAT FANS NEED TO KNOW:
• Due to state and federal COVID guidelines, 25% of stadium capacity will be enforced. Once team passes and student attendance estimates are factored in, available attendance will be 2,800 fans.
• Attendance is based on first-come, first-serve.
• Fans will park in General Admission lots which will open at 8 a.m. and will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. These lots will also serve as baseball parking and fans should be aware of home runs and foul balls in the area.
• Tailgating will not be allowed nor will RVs or overnight parking.
• Stadium gates will open at 10:30 a.m.
• Fans will enter through the main gates only and will receive a ticket when entering.
• A Clear bag policy and face mask check will be enforced.
• A limited selection of concessions as well as beer will be sold at the game beginning at 11 a.m. Cash only will be accepted.
• No outside food or drinks will be allowed.
• No re-entry into the stadium.
• The Buccaneers will test-fire Touchdown Cannon at 9 a.m. and stadium music will begin playing following that.
• No fans will be allowed on the field at any time, pregame or postgame, due to NCAA COVID protocols.
• Fans will be allowed to sit on the hills.
• The first seven rows behind McNeese's bench and first two rows behind the visitor's bench will be off limits to fans.
• McNeese Athletics will be accepting donations as well as selling a limited amount of t-shirts, cash only, and the money will go towards the McNeese Hurricane Relief Fund.