Honey Badger hysteria not wearing on Cowboys
Last Modified: Tuesday, August 14, 2012 8:35 PM
By Alex Hickey / American Press
If the stress of Honey Badger hysteria is wearing on Matt Viator or any of his players, they aren’t showing it.
The McNeese State head coach is taking a looser approach to the end of training camp than in the past, giving players a chance to participate in some light-hearted team activities off the football field in the last two days before school starts.
Monday night featured a team talent show, while on Tuesday morning the Cowboys engaged in a position-by-position bowling tournament.
“This is actually the first time we did it,” Viator said of the events. “We had a talent show (Monday) night and unfortunately we didn’t find much talent. We had bowling (Tuesday) and unfortunately we didn’t find many pro bowlers. But we had a good time at both events and it was a good team activity.”
For those keeping score, Viator’s belief is that the best talent display came from players imitating the team’s coaches, particularly Carson Chaisson’s rendition of Viator.
“Carson Chaisson was the emcee, and he did me running the meetings,” Viator said. “Of course, I picked on him. He’s been here six years, he ought to have it down.”
The receiving corps won the bowling competition, with the defensive backs finishing second.
As for what’s happening on the field, McNeese installed its 2-minute drill offense and defense for the first time on Tuesday.
“It looked like the first day (of that),” Viator said. “But I think we’ll get it. … We’re making the transition to 3 o’clock practices, and we’ve got to make that transition.”
Defensive end Everett Ellefsen appeared to have a strong practice, getting pressure on Cody Stroud’s blindside on back-to-back plays before drawing a double team on the next snap.
Tulane transfer
McNeese may be announcing the arrival of a Football Bowl Subdivision transfer today — and he is not nicknamed Honey Badger. Dutchtown High coach Benny Saia told Baton Rouge media that quarterback Leon Bloiun IV is transferring to McNeese from Tulane.
Blouin, a three-year letterman at Dutchtown, was a redshirt freshman reserve quarterback for the Green Wave and would be eligible to play this season. He left Tulane’s team on Monday. Cody Stroud is McNeese’s starter, but the Cowboys only have three quarterbacks in camp.
Viator said he would not comment on Blouin until, if and when, he enrolls. Today is the first day of classes at McNeese.
Get Social With Us!
+Share