Most of the morning dew was gone when 116 Cowboys took their first steps on the practice field grass Wednesday. At McNeese State, there is a buzz surrounding this football team, hope that maybe this is the season when the Cowboys leap back into contention for a Southland Conference title. It has been a long time — 10 seasons to be exact — since the Cowboys last won the championship. Over the last two seasons, McNeese has won 11 games after going 0-11 in 2023. •Jim Gazzolo is a freelance writer who covers McNeese State athletics for the American Press.