“We really played loose, physical and agressive,” he said of the Cowboy victory over Northwestern State, “and it was good to see. Hopefully we can build off the second half of the other night.”
The Cowboys and the Lumberjacks meet in a 7 p.m. game in Cowboy Stadium, the contest being “Geaux Blue” and “Take a Kid to the Game” night. Fans are encouraged to wear blue to the game in an attempt to “blue out” the stadium and kids will gain admission to the game for $4 (general admission) when accompanied by an adult. The first 2,500 fans into the stadium will also receive a McNeese rally towel.
Also, at halftime Robert Noland and Vic Stelly, two who have been prominent in the growth of McNeese State, will be inducted into the university’s Hall of Honor.
Stephen F. Austin comes into the game with a 3-1 record, a No. 5 ranking in the nation and leading the Southland Conference in just about every offensive category.
“They are a really good football team,” Viator told members of the media during his Tuesday press conference. “Their quarterback – Jeremy Moses – is a real good player and he has thrown for a lot of yards.
"He has a knack of knowing where to throw it and when to throw it. He doesn’t run the ball at all. He really understands their offense and knows how to play the position. He’s has a tremendously quick release and is one of those guys you can tell is a winner.
“They run the spread offense and do a good job with it. Their defense is impressive to me. That’s where they have a lot of guys back. Their linebacker – Jabara Williams – will probably be a first team all-American guy this year and probably play in the NFL. He’s 6-3, 235 pound and is a really good player.
“They have also been good on special teams this year, having blocked a couple of kicks and have returned a couple of kicks for touchdowns.
“They have generated points from a lot of different areas. They can really be hot on offense and when they haven’t been, their defense has come through for them.
“They have a good team and will be a tough challenge.”
Viator said that what his team will have to do to combat the SFA offense is to “get in the quarterback’s face and then do a good job of tackling. They are going to complete passes but we have to tacke them. That’s a key. Keep it in front of you and be good tacklers.”
Saturday’s matchup pits the two teams that tied for the SLC title a year ago, SFA winning last year’s contest by a 16-13 score in Nacogdoches.
Thus far this year the Cowboys, 2-2, have dropped games to Missouri (50-6) and to No. 14 ranked Cal Poly (40-14) while beating Lamar (30-27) and Northwestern State (24-7).
SFA, 3-1, has won its last three games after bowing to Texas A&M (48-7) in the opener. The Lumberjacks have defeated Albany (59-14), Northern Iowa (22-20) and Lamar (71-3).
McNeese holds a 16-11-2 edge in the series record between the two and SFA won last year’s meeting by a 16-13 score. The Cowboys have won the last three settos in Cowboy Stadium.
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