His team down 3-0 to a Division II defense that surrendered 559 yards of offense per game last season, James Tabary roamed the sideline with a question during the first quarter of Saturday’s season opening 33-3 win.
“You guys nervous,” the Cowboys quarterback inquired.
Most answered yes.
“Felt like it was my first game ever playing football,” receiver Kent Shelby quipped.
None were alone.
“I normally don’t get nervous,” Tabary explained. “But I will definitely admit to that. New atmosphere, new team, I didn’t really know what to expect.”
“Once we got rolling, we were good from there.”
Following that scoreless first quarter where McNeese neglected to build upon the infrequent big plays its offense produced, the Cowboys scored 33 unanswered points, throttling Tarleton State to begin Lance Guidry’s tenure as head coach.
Tabary, Grant Ashcraft and Joe Lissard combined to throw for 358 yards while the Cowboys’ defense, once again shuffled because of injuries, surrendered minus-5 yards rushing to a Tarleton State team predicated on an aerial assault.
Without Josh Washington due to a high ankle sprain, redshirt freshman Trent Jackson shifted to Buck — the position vacated by a suspended Dominique Hill — and Erik Jones moved to free safety.
Jones recovered a fumble. Jackson had two tackles. And the Cowboys “defense with attitude” held the Texans to 39 yards across the final 45 minutes of the game.
“I had some jitters,” Jackson said, echoing almost his entire team. “Dominique told me to relax and play my game, coaches told me to relax and play my game. We made some checks to make me more comfortable and whatnot. After a couple plays, it was all right.”
Tarleton threw for just 139 yards, 92 of which came in that first quarter.
Twenty of the Cowboys’ 33 unanswered points came in a breakout second quarter where Tabary found his rhythm and the offense was, ironically, ignited his backup, Ashcraft.
Playing in his only series of the first half — Guidry’s predetermined plan before the game — Ashcraft, a junior beaten out by Tabary for the starting spot, launched an excellent 27-yard pass to Kylon Highshaw along the far sideline.
It was, to that point, the Cowboys’ longest play from scrimmage and put McNeese into Texan territory for a second straight possession.
Three Dylan Long carries followed, the final a one-yard plunge for the first touchdown in Guidry’s tenure.
“We pressed a little bit offensively, weren’t quite as patient, but it was the first game and James’ really first time to get the reigns or whatever,” Guidry said. “I just thought we pressed a little bit and were a bit sloppy. Had some penalties in the first quarter, which we have to clean up, but all in all I thought (Tarleton State) was a good team, they weren’t a pushover.”
Tabary, the Arkansas State transfer with heightened pocket awareness and a quick release, began his career 0-for-4 while the passing game lacked continuity. He completed 19 of his final 25, though, throwing for 254 yards and two touchdowns.
Fourteen players caught passes from three different quarterbacks as Guidry emptied his bench toward the end of the third quarter.
Even Isaiah Golden, the Cowboys’ massive, All-American defensive tackle, got a touch. Golden lined up as a fullback on four goal line plays and had one carry, missing out on a two-point conversion try with the score already 33-3.
The sideline, loosened now by the fourth quarter, jumped in glee when the large man carried the football. They jeered playfully as Golden came back.
Jitters gone, the team prepares for UL-Lafayette, its only Football Bowl Subdivision opponent and a reignited rivalry game from yesteryear.
Good thing those nerves are now gone?
“Hell yeah,” Shelby said with a smile.
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