LAKE CHARLES – McNeese's football game at Tarleton State has been moved up to Week Zero (August 24) to help kick-off the 2024 college football season and in front of a nationally televised audience on the ESPN network. Kick-off time and network have yet to be determined.
 
This will mark the second straight season the Cowboys will play on the ESPN family of networks, having played Florida last season on ESPNU.
 
"I'm really excited to move our game with Tarleton to Week Zero this season," said McNeese Director of Athletics Heath Schroyer. "I want to personally thank Dr. (James) Hurley, Tarleton's president, for working with me on this and for his leadership during this entire process.
 
"Having the ability to help kick-off the 2024 college football season and play on linear ESPN is a fantastic opportunity for us. Enhancing our brand as an athletic department and as a university has been one of my major objectives, and this move helps us do just that. I couldn't be more excited!"
 
The contest will be one of just three FCS matchups scheduled for Week Zero - Southeast Missouri at North Alabama and Florida A&M at Norfolk State, along with four FBS games.
 
Originally scheduled for September 14 in Stephenville, that date will now become one of two open dates for the Cowboys this season with the other occurring on October 5.
 
This year will be the fourth meeting in the series between the Cowboys and Texans with McNeese holding down a 2-1 lead. Tarleton defeated the Cowboys 52-34 in the season-opener last year in Lake Charles.
 
McNeese won the initial game, 33-3, back in 2016 then defeated the Texans 40-37 in a thrilling double-overtime contest in Stephenville to kick-off the 2021 spring football season.
 
Following the opener, McNeese will begin its home season on Aug. 31 against Southern.