Lawless Republic
Fansided

BYU Football: Scouting the Schedule – McNeese State

By Shaun Gordon

LINCOLN, NE - SEPTEMPER 6: Wide receiver Khalil Thomas #3 of the McNeese State Cowboys runs past linebacker Trevor Roach #43 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers during their game at Memorial Stadium on September 6, 2014 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska defeated McNeese State 31-24. (Photo by Eric Francis/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE - SEPTEMPER 6: Wide receiver Khalil Thomas #3 of the McNeese State Cowboys runs past linebacker Trevor Roach #43 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers during their game at Memorial Stadium on September 6, 2014 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska defeated McNeese State 31-24. (Photo by Eric Francis/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
LINCOLN, NE – SEPTEMPER 6: Place kicker Jean Breaux #1 of the McNeese State Cowboys during their game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on September 6, 2014 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska defeated McNeese State 31-24. (Photo by Eric Francis/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE – SEPTEMPER 6: Place kicker Jean Breaux #1 of the McNeese State Cowboys during their game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on September 6, 2014 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska defeated McNeese State 31-24. (Photo by Eric Francis/Getty Images) /

Special Teams

McNeese State brings back both of their kicking specialists, and both were solid in 2017. Gunnar Raborn (Sr.) connected on 12 of his 13 field goal attempts last year, including a 52-yard make. Alex Kjellsten (Sr.) averaged more than 40 yards per punt, and pinned 22 punts inside the 20-yard line.

The Cowboys lose their primary punt returner, Kent Shelby, but Parker Orgeron got some opportunity last year, and he’ll have the inside track to get a majority of the workload in 2018.

Expect to see Cory McCoy as one of the kickoff returners, but the other spot will be up for grabs in fall camp.

Outlook

Last season the defense carried the Cowboys to their nine-win season. This year, it will be their offense that carries them. They’ve got enough returning talent to improve drastically on offense, especially with their three-headed rushing attack.

If McNeese State wants to make the playoffs this year, though, it will come down to the defense. They’ve got a lot of holes to fill, especially up front. If the replacements step up, then the Cowboys will be one of the top FCS teams in 2018.

BYU can’t let this matchup turn into a trap game. After three straight Power Five foes, and with Washington coming up the next week, it will be very easy for the Cougars to completely overlook the Cowboys.

If they do, McNeese State has enough talent to make BYU miserable.

BYU vs. McNeese State Series History

  • This is the first matchup between BYU and McNeese State.
  • The two teams do not have any future games scheduled

Previous Scouting the Schedule Articles:

Scouting the Schedule – Arizona

Scouting the Schedule – California

Scouting the Schedule – Wisconsin

Home/BYU Football