LAKE CHARELS – Year two of McNeese football under head coach Matt Viator will kick-off its spring season Sunday with the first of 15 practice dates covering the full month of march and first days in April.
 
The Cowboys will have three scrimmages as part of the 15 practices – March 14, March 21, and the spring game on March 28.
 
"We've got to get out there and see what we have, especially with the new guys," said Viator. "We also get to see who is ready to take the next step from last season. We have a lot of things to figure out."
 
McNeese, who signed the No. 1 class in the Southland Conference and 13^th nationally, will have a lot of new faces to go along with key returners such as quarterback Jake Strong and safety Javon Davis.
 
The full spring roster can be found here.
 
McNeese posted a 5-7 record in 2025 including a 4-4 in Southland Conference play, the first time to post a .500 league mark since the 2019 season. The Cowboys won three of their last four games and capped the year with an exciting win over 19^th-ranked Lamar in the Battle of the Border rivalry game.
 
The Cowboys will open the 2026 season with three straight home games – Stephen F. Austin (Aug. 29), Texas Wesleyan (Sept. 5) and Tarleton State (Sept. 12).
 
2026 McNeese Football Spring Practice Schedule:
March 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26, 31
April 2
 
Scrimmages: March 14, 21, 28