McNeese practices in full pads for first time on Monday

LAKE CHARLES – The McNeese Cowboys completed practice No. 6 of fall camp on Monday morning in Cowboy Stadium, the first one in full pads, in what was, by far, the hottest and most humid day through the first week.

In addition to the normal individual and one-one-one drills, the Cowboys worked on red-zone situations, punting game, and went live for about 20 plays to end practice.

Practice Notes: 

• In third-down situation team, running back Deonta McMahon took a handoff and went up the middle for a 75-yard touchdown on the drill’s first play.
• The defense held on 3^rd-and-short the next seven plays, getting a sack from DL Earenest Grayson and an interception by DB Jaylen Jackson off a tipped pass at the line.
• The offense stepped it up the final four plays of the drill, getting a first down on all four including a 40-yard run by RB D’angelo Durham and 70-yard run by Josh Parker.
• In the Skell Drill, Walker Wood threw two TD passes, one to McMahon and the other to Josh Matthews while Ryan Roberts tossed a TD to Simeon Jones.
• Defensively in Skells, DB Ke’Shon Murray had an interception while linebackers Micah Davey and Brayden Adams each broke up passes.
• The defense had the upper hand in the first three series of live team action, getting a sack from DL Joey McNeely and a pick-6 by DB Jake Held off a pass from Cameron McCalister.
• In the final series, Walker Wood did a good job of driving the offense, picking up two first downs on two 3^rd-down conversions while Durham turned a 2-yard screen reception gain into a 10-yarder after breaking a tackle when making the catch.
• Quarterbacks Cam Ransom and Knox Kadum did not take snaps but instead simulated drills. Kadum is expected to begin throwing on Tuesday.
• The Cowboys were forced into a couple of extended breaks due to the new NCAA rules concerning the heat. At one point the air temp climbed to 95 degrees with the heat index reaching 115-120.
• The Cowboys will have their first day off from practice on Tuesday but instead will participate in the first Victory Day event which is a camp put on by the coaches and players for local kids who have special needs.
• McNeese will return to the practice field on Wednesday in shells, Thursday helmets, Friday in shells, and Saturday for its first scrimmage of the preseason.