McNeese football kicks off fall camp today

McNeese football kicks off fall camp today when the Cowboys report for the official beginning of the season.
Newcomers reported at 8:30 a.m. and were assigned their equipment before sitting in compliance and academic meetings. Position meetings followed in the late morning and early afternoon before the veterans reported at 4 p.m.
The day will wrap up with team and position meetings this evening.
Head coach Matt Viator, who is beginning his 10th season at the helm and is 10 wins away from tying Bobby Keasler as the school’s all-time winningest coach, explained what the staff needs to do to get ready for the season and the goals.
“Getting all the players back and headed in the direction we need,” he said in a news release. “We need to get into a good practice rhythm and routine.
“The goal is to always win the Southland Conference. If you can accomplish that you should be set up to compete for the national championship.”
The Cowboys finished 6-5 a year ago and return the bulk of that team that dropped their last three games after being hit hard with injuries.
The team will hit the field for the first time at 4:30 p.m. Thursday and will slip on the shoulder pads for the first time at Saturday afternoon’s practice. The first practice in full pads will be Monday afternoon.
“The first days are packed with a lot of installation from all three phases,” Viator said in the news release. “Also trying to get back to practicing with the tempo and effort that we want.”
Scrimmages have been scheduled for Aug. 15 at 6 p.m. and Aug. 22 at 9:45 a.m.