Football Gold

In this month’s cover story, Thrive shines the spotlight on three of Louisiana’s most revered football teams: the McNeese Cowboys, the LSU Tigers, and the New Orleans Saints. Get ready for a thrilling ride as we delve into their anticipated seasons, players to watch, schedules, and predictions that will have you ready to break out the gumbo pot and turn on the game!

The Cowboys are gearing up to showcase their prowess in the collegiate realm. With a roster brimming with young talent, McNeese aims to leave their mark on the gridiron. Join us as we follow their journey to success and keep an eye on standout players poised to make headlines this season.

Known for their electrifying energy, the Tigers are ready to roar once more! As they clash against fierce rivals, LSU’s determination to triumph under Coach Brian Kelly’s direction is unparalleled. From their relentless defense to the explosive offense, we dissect the team’s strengths and weaknesses, while highlighting players set to dominate the field.

The anticipation is palpable as the Saints march back onto the NFL battleground. With the Who Dat Nation rallying behind them, the team’s ambition to conquer the league is tangible. We analyze their strategies, spotlight key players, and delve into the matchups that will define their path to victory.

Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a curious observer, this special section promises to immerse you in the enthralling world of Louisiana football. Get ready to witness unforgettable touchdowns, awe-inspiring plays, and a riveting display of passion and dedication. The countdown to kickoff begins!

McNeese Update: Building Momentum

by Matt Dye

Gary Goff and the McNeese Cowboys are more than ready to show Lake Charles and the rest of the Southland Conference (SLC) what they’ve been building in the off-season.

Year one was rough for Goff and the Cowboys, starting the season 1-6 before finishing the season on a three-game win streak. Now, with a new season comes a completely different team that Goff finds himself coaching, with 57 newcomers, most through the transfer portal.

“It’s lightyears difference from a year ago,” Coach Goff said. “I think my staff did a great job going out and signing some talent with experience, who have already bought into the program and the culture, and we’re excited to get out on the field with them and see what we’ve got.”

The quarterback battle will be that of new faces with experience.  Nate Glantz is a junior out of Iowa who was named Junior College Offensive Player of the Year in leading Iowa Western to a national title. Last year, he was a back-up at Iowa State before transferring to McNeese to battle Tre Simmons, a transfer out of Tusculum, in Tennessee. At Tusculum, Simmons put up big offensive numbers, leaving ranked seventh in their history books having only played two seasons.

Coach Goff admits that picking a starter is going to be a hard decision. “That’s the first question I get, and the only question anyone wants answered,” he says.

Whomever Goff goes with, he should excel in Goff’s Air Raid offense.

For that Air Raid to work, McNeese also needs wide receivers, which like other key positions, have come through the portal. Some names to watch are Marcus Peterson, a three-star transfer out of Cincinnati. He joins promising transfer such as Aalah Brown, Jonathan Harris, and a number of freshmen all vying to be the go-to guy.

The running game will also be firing on all cylinders behind D’angelo Durham and a strong group of backs. Durham was off to a monster start last season before being derailed by injury. Now, he looks more than ready to run behind a big offensive line, and by big, we mean really big.

McNeese has a total of 21 lineman (13 O-line, 8 D-line) weighing in over 300 lbs. In addition, 13 linebackers and defensive backs have bulked up to over 200 pounds, with eight receivers hitting 190. Last year, McNeese only had one guy on defense that wasn’t a lineman over 200 pounds.

Bigger is better, but McNeese is also younger, with only four seniors on the team. “We will be young, but that’s not a bad thing,” Goff says, “It could be dangerous.”

The Cowboys are ready to go and get back to their winning ways after three straight losing seasons. However, finishing the season on a three-game winning streak shows the grit and determination that Coach Goff and his culture has created at McNeese.

“We’ve got no quit in us,” D’angelo Durham said. “We’re going to fight to the end.”

Linebacker Brayden Adams, one of the leaders on defense, agrees. “The key is everyone playing together, being on the same page, with the same attitude and mentality to motivate you throughout the season to be successful.”

McNeese’s season starts on September 2nd at home against Tarleton State before a Week two trip to Florida to play the Gators in the Swamp, the first game of a three-game road trip.

The Cowboys then start conference play at home against Nicholls on September 30th, which should give us a real litmus test for how the Cowboys will fare the rest of the season.

Predicted to finish third in the SLC, McNeese has every opportunity to win the conference, though they’ll face some stiff competition in their toughest match-up, on the road at Southeastern on November 4th.

Nearly every game this season will be available via ESPN+ or ESPNU, so you can easily watch the Pokes when they’re on the road.

To see the Cowboys in person, season tickets are still on sale at the ticket office by calling 337-562-4678 or online at McNeeseSports.com. Single game tickets are not on sale yet.

McNeese Breaks Ground for New Press Box at Cowboy Stadium

McNeese State University broke ground on a new press box for Cowboy Stadium last month. In 2020, Hurricanes Laura and Delta devastated Southwest Louisiana including the Cowboy Stadium press box.

“Having the press box groundbreaking is a positive message to the Southwest Louisiana and McNeese communities that recovery from Hurricane Laura is continuing,” said Dr. Daryl Burckel, president of McNeese.

The new facility boasts 25 suites, a 1,700-square-foot sky club and an open patio-type area. The top two levels extend goal line to goal line. Football operations will be on the second level.

“Today is a monumental day for Southwest Louisiana! This new press box is simply a game changer. The number of premium suites, the amenities and the functionality of this press box will be second to none,” exclaimed Heath Schroyer, director of athletics at McNeese. “There has been a great deal of work done by several people behind the scenes to make this day a reality.”

Visitors to McNeese for sporting and other events added approximately $4.3 million to the economy of Southwest Louisiana in 2021. Suites in the new press box will provide McNeese football fans with a premium venue for watching games with friends, family and business associates, drawing more visitors to the region. Sales for the suites will bring in millions of dollars for McNeese.

“The press box signifies the commitment to not only our football program but also to McNeese athletics! It will usher our athletics department into the future and help us reach our aggressive goals,” Schroyer said.

McNeese is the proud home to 14 NCAA Division 1 athletic teams. Last year, total attendance at McNeese ticketed sporting events was 132,225, of which 44,790 were for football.

“This is a state-of-the-art facility allowing McNeese football to compete at any level. This is just the first of many projects that will transform the McNeese campus for years to come,” Burckel said.

LSU Update: Brian Kelly and the Sophomore Slump?

by Matt Dye

LSU enters year two of the Brian Kelly era in a lot better shape than anyone would have guessed coming out of the end of Orgeron’s tenure.

Last year was supposed to be a rebuilding and reloading year, and after an opening game loss to Florida State University, many Tiger fans were worried that maybe Kelly wasn’t the right direction to have gone.

But, LSU went on a tear, winning four in a row and nine of their next 11 games, including a home overtime victory against rival Alabama, which vaulted LSU into the SEC title game.

They’d lose to the eventual national champion, Georgia, but would go on to play in the Citrus Bowl against Big Ten Champion Purdue, whom they routed 63-7, giving Kelly a double-digit win total in his first season in Death Valley – a far cry from the expectations that first game birthed.

Now in year two, Kelly has LSU even more loaded with talent for today and the future.

It’s worth nothing that this is the last year with only four teams playing for the national championship, as next year the college football playoff expands to 12 teams, and Kelly has LSU poised to be in the tournament year in and year out.

Though this year will not be without it’s challenges. It is going to be perhaps the most brutal year Kelly’s Tigers will face, as teams in the SEC continue to get better. Add in mounting pressure to be the third in a trio of Scott Woodward hires to secure the top title in year two and you’ve got a recipe for an exciting season.

Currently, the team will be led by Jayden Daniels at quarterback. A fifth year senior, Daniels should be the best QB in the conference, but he’ll need to get off to a strong start to keep the job from back-up, Garrett Nussmeier. Daniels last season had a rocky start before finding a bit of consistency with games against Florida and Ole Miss. If he can continue to make the right reads and run the ball effectively, he’ll keep the turnovers down and LSU’s record heading in the right direction.

Taking some of the pressure off Daniels will be a running game featuring Notre Dame transfer, Logan Diggs, who will be reuniting with Coach Kelly, and his familiarity with Kelly’s offense will be key. Behind him are backs Noah Cain and Trey Holly, both of whom carried the rock in LSU’s Spring Game. Fan-favorite running back John Emery, Jr. is still serving an academic suspension and may not be back on the team.

LSU has long been dubbed wide receiver U, and this season should be no different. Malik Nabers will be one to watch, putting up 72 catches last season for 1,017 yards. He should be an early contender for the Biletnikoff Award and Daniels’ favorite target. Playing opposite him is Kyren Lacy, who had an up and down season last year but appears ready to breakout following some impressive catches in the Spring Game. Brian Thomas should also be a big end zone target.

On defense, LSU noticed a bit of a drop-off last year, letting some opponents run away with a game early. Most notably, the SEC Championship Game against Georgia. The good news is, LSU gets Maason Smith back, who they lost early last season to an ACL tear. If Smith is back to 100% with Mekhi Wingo, the pass rush should be more than up to par.

At linebacker, there’s argument that Harold Perkins is the best in the game right now. We’ll see how that all pans out, but joined by Oregon State transfer Omar Speights, the Tigers should be just as strong against the run without having to load the box.

The biggest question mark for the Tigers comes in the secondary, which will be manned by transfers. It’s too soon to see how they work out, but if they do, this might be another LSU defense for the ages. If not, LSU could find themselves in a few shootouts.

Looking at the schedule, LSU opens with a revenge game against Florida State before hosting Grambling and then heading to Mississippi State to begin conference play. Like the past 15 seasons, much of LSU’s success will be determined by their November 4th  match-up against Alabama, which will be played at Bryant-Denny and only increase the difficulty. Not only that, but the Tide are going to be looking for revenge to punctuate that the Saban era isn’t coming to an end.

Otherwise, LSU plays the majority of their rivals at home, hosting Auburn, Florida, and Texas A&M.

The bottom line always comes down to how well you can move the ball. LSU was 10-1 when they ran the ball for 140 yards last season, and 0-3 when they didn’t. If they can continue to have that type of success, it should be another double-digit win season for Brian Kelly and the Tigers.

New Orleans Saints Update: The Derek Carr Bomb

by Matt Dye

The first year of the Dennis Allen era didn’t go exactly as planned, with the Saints finishing 7-10 and missing the playoffs. Much of that can be attributed to the hole Drew Brees’ exit left and that Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill tried to fill.

Add in the ongoing Alvin Kamara drama which, at the time of publication, will finally be resolving from a legal standpoint, and Michael Thomas again missing most of the season, and the offense for the Saints was a sore spot.

Enter Derek Carr, now in his 10th season in the league and coming off one of his worst seasons last year with the Raiders. So far, it appears that New Orleans might be the place to revitalize Carr’s career, in much the same way Matthew Stafford did a couple seasons ago with the Rams.

Kamara may still face a suspension from the league, but having his charges reduced to a misdemeanor will shorten that. Just in case, the Saints signed Jamaal Williams, the league leader in rushing touchdowns last season, as well as drafted rookie Kendre Miller.

At the wide receiver spot, a hopefully healthy Michael Thomas will join second year standouts Chris Olave, who had 72 receptions on 119 targets for 1,042 yards last season, and Rashid Shaheed to give Derek Carr plenty of options to toss bombs.

Even the tight end position is somewhat stacked, with Juwan Johnson, Foster Moreau, and, of course, Taysom Hill. On top of that, the Saints just resigned Jimmy Graham, who may not have much left in the tank, but certainly played his best ball in the Superdome.

The defensive side of the ball experienced a bit of shake-up in the offseason, with a new defensive coordinator being installed in Joe Woods. That said, while the defense still has a lot of talent with Cameron Jordan leading the way on the front line, in some ways this is a rebuilding season for the Saints.

Demario Davis still leads the linebacking core while the Honey Badger and Marshon Lattimore will have the secondary shored up. Though, it may be mid-season before this defense looks like it’s close to competitive. That is not a terribly concerning factor, because the Saints have the second easiest schedule in the NFL.

Most of this is due to the fact that if the Saints are rebuilding, the rest of the NFC South is overhauling and praying. All three other teams are looking to start a new quarterback in 2023, as well. With Tom Brady retired, the Bucs turn to commercial actor Baker Mayfield to lead them back to the promised land. The Panthers are turning to either the rookie Bryce Young or the red pellet gun in Andy Dalton. Lastly, the Falcons are pinning all their hopes on Desmond Ridder to start the season.

The Saints play the now Jordan Love led Packers at Lambeau in September when the weather is perfect for football. Additionally, one of the NFC South’s crossover divisions is the AFC South, which is just as putrid, with teams like Houston and Indianapolis looking for new life.

This Saints team could easily start 4-0 with a week five match-up in New England being a good barometer of how they’ll compete going forward. If the Who Dat nation makes it through that, there’s a chance the Saints could be 9-0 heading into a rivalry game in Week 10 at the Minnesota Vikings.

Realistically, winning the division and making the playoffs should be a safe bet as long as the injury bug doesn’t arrive in New Orleans and Derek Carr doesn’t implode under the lights of The Big Easy.

How deep the Saints go in the playoffs will come down to Carr though, and if he can keep drives alive when all the chips are on the line and make throws into tight pockets against what should be much better teams across the rest of the NFC.

So here’s to the Derek Carr Bomb becoming the official drink of nervous Saints fans everywhere. Bottoms up!

Fantasy Football: A Beginner’s Guide

by Matt Dye

It’s that time of the year again when  people across all walks of life become managers of their own football empire.

Even if you’ve never watched a game of football, you’ve probably heard of Fantasy Football. Maybe you’ve always wanted to play, but you didn’t know how. Or, you didn’t feel like you had enough knowledge to be a part of the game.Well, don’t fear! Fantasy Football doesn’t require as much prowess as you might expect.

So, if you see your friends calling for an extra player in their fantasy league on Facebook, or if your work has an office league you’ve always been too intimidated to join, take a minute and relieve your worries as you settle into your new favorite pastime, Fantasy Football Manager.

Joining a League

The easiest way to join a league is to tell a friend that you know who plays that you’re interested in playing. Many leagues are gearing up as we speak, so this is the time to let people know you’re interested. If you see someone you know posting on Facebook about it, hit them up. Many leagues often have turnover and are looking for new players, or they may expand to allow more teams in. Either way, it’s more fun to play with friends, and sometimes mentioning your interest to the right friends could result in the creation of an entirely new league!

If none of your friends or co-workers have an opening and you still want to play, it’s easy enough to get started. While there are a number of platforms to choose from, the most common are Yahoo!, ESPN, and NFL.com. Just create an account and go!

Pre-Draft Shenanigans 

Even if you’re not a big fan of the NFL, getting ready for your team’s draft is easy. The first thing to do is look at your league’s settings and understand how the scoring works. Most leagues will follow a standard scoring system, but sometimes, especially in more established leagues, scoring may have been modified. If you aren’t sure about it, don’t be afraid to ask. Most leagues have message boards and chat groups just for that sort of clarification.

Whichever platform you’re playing on tends to have players pre-ranked for you, so you don’t have to have knowledge of every team. But you should know how many of each position you need. Ideally, you want a bench player to replace each starter on your team, in case of bye weeks and/or injury.

Be aware of how many teams are in your league as well. A league with only eight teams means that there are more players to spread around versus being in a 12-team league.

It can also be helpful to mock draft, which will give you good practice for the actual day of. Plus, it’s another reason to cook a good meal and have a few drinks with friends.

Draft Day

There are a lot of philosophies you can subscribe to when it comes to drafting a team, but the one that seems to be constant is that you want to draft running backs early. Of course, this will depend on the make-up of rosters in your league, but don’t be surprised if you’re taking a running back twice before you draft a quarterback.

When in doubt, fantasy is more fun when you’re drafting players from teams you like. If you’re a diehard Saints fan, then you’ll likely enjoy fantasy more drafting the Saints receiver than a Cowboys receiver, even if the Dallas player is higher ranked. If you’re totally lost for a pick, go with the player on a winning team. Winning teams tend to have the ball more, and therefore have more opportunity for your players to score points for you.

The Season

Once you’ve got your team drafted, Fantasy Football comes down to how much time you want to devote. At minimum, be sure to set your line-up every week and change out players due to injuries and/or bye weeks.

If you want to level up your experience, you can go deeper down the rabbit hole and get into the Waiver Wire, where you can exchange players who aren’t performing on your team for ones who are available in the undrafted player pool. If you’re feeling really confident, you can engage in a little friendly trash talk in the chatroom after your team comes from behind to win after Monday Night Football.

However you decide to approach it, you’ll soon feel the pull of Fantasy Football as Thursday night approaches and you’ve got a head-to-head match-up with your friends or coworkers.

The Tailgate Kings, a (somewhat) weekly podcast hosted by Matt Dye is available on Spotify.