The distance between McNeese State’s offense and defense looked as if it could be measured in light years during Saturday morning’s scrimmage at Cowboy Stadium, the team’s first since returning to school from last week’s spring break. But quarterback Daniel Sams says that’s just the way it is going to be this spring. “Our defense is amazing,” Sams said. “Nobody’s going to bring the house like Coach (Lance) Guidry. He puts those guys in position to make plays, and that’s exactly what they do. It keeps us on our toes as quarterbacks. The ball is the most important thing on the field, but with all that pressure it’s hard to handle sometimes. I’m liking the way they look.” Of course, that success comes at the expense of the offense, which crossed the goal line once in the 125-play scrimmage — a 10-yard run by third-team running back Benjamin Jones against the No. 3 defense. “It’s really frustrating going against those guys,” Sams said. “I keep talking to Coach Guidry after practice. ‘Are you going to call the dogs off at least for a series?’ “But at the end of the day it’s a very good feeling to know those guys are on my team. I believe we are farther along than we look. To face that every day is going to develop us well into the season.” It’s mostly a veteran group on the defensive side of the ball, so linebacker Bo Brown says for the most part everyone knows what they’re supposed to be doing. The result is decisive speed. “That has a lot to do with the focus,” Brown said. “When you know what to do, you’re fast. Even if we’re not making the play, the effort is great. You can’t win unless you have great effort.” Even those still learning the defense, like Texas A&M transfer lineman Isiah Golden and sophomore linebacker Ed Duplessis, who hasn’t played since high school due to injuries, looked solid on Saturday. Golden made seven tackles and a forced fumble (recovered by Brown) and Duplessis had five stops. Brown was not surprised by the lack of rust displayed by the defense in their return to the field. “It was spring break and we’re in college. But we have some mature guys out here this year,” Brown said. “Sometimes you have a bye week and have to get refocused. It was the same deal. I’m proud of the way we’ve focused in.” Head coach Matt Viator is reading this spring’s early results of being more indicative of what the defense is capable of than what the offense isn’t. “Defense is usually ahead of the offense on install stuff, so I don’t put a lot of stock into that,” Viator said. “But what I look at is the way we’re really running to the ball. We play with great effort. “I don’t think there’s any doubt we improved from the first scrimmage throwing and catching. I think we’re making progress.” Sams looked as comfortable as he’s been despite admitting there was nothing comforting about facing Guidry’s defense. He was 6 of 8 for 54 yards and rushed for 56 yards on seven carries. The Cowboys are also experimenting with a couple of potential post-spring break position changes. With Grant Ashcraft in ascension, Tyler Bolfing made a request to be moved from quarterback to tight end. He caught a 16-yard pass Saturday, but did not return after taking a clean but potentially concussion-inducing hit from Callen Smith. Running back Kelvin Bennett, who has the longest touchdown run in school history, is also getting reps at cornerback. “The depth at running back last year was depleted, but we do have players besides him and we signed two,” Viator said. “We’ve gotten into a position over the years against some spread no-huddle teams where you can’t have enough guys with legs who can cover. And he’s a guy who can run.”
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