Everyone understands Saturday’s assignment.
McNeese grabs a big six-figure check. LSU rests some starters and plays young players. The scoreboard gets lopsided, and both programs move back into their respective conference play.
McNeese head coach Matt Viator gets it, but he still enjoys the experience.
“It’s an opportunity for our program to go play in one of the best venues in college football, and to play in front of a bigger crowd that our guys never get to experience,” Viator said. “So, it’s an opportunity for us as a program for us as a team, but individually it’s an opportunity for them to go play against one of the best teams in the country, for sure. And hey, let’s go see what we can do.”
McNeese (2-3) travels to LSU (3-1) fresh off a 27-24 victory over East Texas A&M. The Tigers blew out the SEC’s version of Texas A&M by 29 (35-6) a week ago. The point spread is 53.5 according to the oddsmakers.
LSU head coach Lane Kiffin opened the door for quarterback Sam Leavitt to sit out of the game to rest his sore hamstring. That hasn’t changed the week for the Cowboys.
“We anticipate that it’ll be the same offense, and if it’s different, we’ll have to adjust,” Viator said. “Their skill set-wise and stuff and what they do offensively, which is a great scheme, we’re preparing for the same thing.”
Offensively, the Cowboys have used two quarterbacks, and both have been injured. Jake Strong was the starter for the season opener but was injured before halftime. Devin Lippold was inserted into the lineup but broke his wrist in the loss to UT-Rio Grande Valley game.
Strong is healthy again and will get the start for the Cowboys.
“He’s a dual threat guy, and I think he has a quick release and gets the ball out and stuff,” Viator said. “So, hopefully he manages the game well and takes care of the football. He’ll do a little bit of both throwing and running.”
Viator is from southwest Louisiana and has been the head coach at Vinton Jennings and Sulphur High Schools.
His first stint as the Cowboys’ head coach came from 2006-2015. He accepted the job at ULM in 2016 and coached four seasons with the Warhawks. Now, he’s back at his alma mater for a second time.
“This will be the third time that I’ve taken a team to Baton Rouge to play LSU, and it’s been a great experience,” Viator said. It’s a tremendous challenge, but I enjoy the experience. Nobody’s treated us better than LSU has. Growing up in this state, living my entire life in this state, I love going.”
(Editor’s Note: The quotes in this story come from Matt Viator’s Thursday appearance on After Further Review with Matt Moscona.)
