With the opening scrimmage successfully in the books, the Cowboys return to practice today with plenty of promise and work to be done.

With the start of the semester, practices will move to 3 p.m.

All eyes will be focused on the quarterback battle, which should move into full speed with the return of Knox Kadum to full participation. He has been throwing but was on a limited pitch count.

Kadum, a transfer from Virginia Tech, is expected to be one of the main guys battling for the starting job. He came to McNeese State in January and fully participated in spring workouts.

However, an off-field injury to the thumb on his throwing hand forced Kadum to miss a good portion of camp. Sunday was expected to be his first full practice and is expected to be back battling for the starting job.

“It will be good to have him back,” said McNeese head coach Gary Goff.

Kadum had the edge coming out of spring ball after an up-and-down learning camp. He will be fighting with another transfer,

Cam Ransom from Georgia Southern, for the job.

Ransom, who was also slowed during camp with a back issue, arrived in Lake Charles after the spring semester was complete. The lefty was fully cleared for practice last Friday and had his share of good and bad moments during Saturday’s scrimmage.

Ransom went 9-of-14 for 217 yards and four touchdowns Saturday after a slow start, missing on his first three throws. He was also sacked a couple of times with Goff blaming timing for some of those issues.

“He was finally fully cleared and we are still trying to be a little careful with him,” Goff said of Ransom. “We are not asking him to run a lot right now but it was good to see him out there running around.”

If both are healthy Goff will start pushing the limits a bit in order to get a better idea of what he has to work with and who is going to become his starter. Walker Wood and Ryan Roberts have both had some solid moments in camp but a healthy Kadum and Ransom would fuel a real QB battle.

“You guys keep asking me about the starting quarterback and we need to have some real battles right now,” said Goff.

Running the offense and not turning the ball over are what Goff calls keys to who will ultimate win the starting spot.

Goff also hopes to see improved tempo and rhythm as the week moves toward Friday night’s scrimmage. That is for both sides of the football.

“I want to play fast and not think about making mistakes,” Goff said. “We have to get in a little better rhythm. We have to just get first down after first down and not worry about making the big play. I like we are thinking about that but they will come.”

Look also for McNeese to continue showing improvement on the offensive line, as the new group seems to be gelling especially when it comes to the running game.

The clocks in running with the season opener set for Sept. 3 at Montana State.