Ryan Roberts spent the first portion of the college football season relaying signals in from the sideline.

The redshirt freshman walk-on will get his first career start when the McNeese State signal caller and the Cowboys take on Houston Christian at 2 p.m. Saturday. He will be the first McNeese freshman quarterback since Derrick Fourroux in 2006.

The Lafayette Christian Academy product and son of Baylor defensive coordinator Ron Roberts, was announced as the starter Thursday by head coach Gary Goff.

“I am excited for him to get back out there this weekend,” Goff said. “Ryan doesn’t get too high or too low. He doesn’t say a lot, he is just going out there and having fun.”

Roberts is the third Cowboy to start at quarterback this season. He became the fourth to play the position when he entered last week’s nonconferece game against Eastern Illinois in the first quarter.

Roberts came in for an injured Walker Wood, himself an injury replacement, and helped the Cowboys finish off EIU 29-15.

The Cowboys are looking to win back-to-back games for the first time. McNeese won 44-3 at HCU a year ago. Both teams enter the game at 2-7 with the last-place Cowboys looking for their first Southland Conference victory in five games, one game behind the Huskies (1- 4) and the Lamar Cardinals (1-8, 1-4).

“I will prepare as if I’m the starter no matter what,” Roberts said earlier in the week. “I’m excited about the opportunity I got to play. It was fun being out there.”

Roberts finished last week’s game 13 of 20 for 177 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He had a would-be touchdown pass dropped.

“I just want to show the players and coaches that I’m prepared for whenever I’m called on and they can have confidence in me,” Roberts said.

Goff said he’s been impressed with the freshman.

“He is very calm in the pocket and the moment doesn’t get too big for him,” Goff said. “He did a great job coming in and managing the game for us.”

Former starter Knox Kadum, who Roberts originally replaced when he got hurt in the fourth quarter at Nicholls State on Oct. 22, has been working out all week full speed, Goff said. He is listed as the backup heading to Houston.

Kadum injured his shoulder against the Colonels on the Cowboys’ final drive.

Goff said both may play against the Huskies depending on the game’s situation.

Wood has been listed as out for the remainder of the season, which will come to a close the following weekend against Lamar in Lake Charles. Wood injured his knee on a running play.

Goff said the Cowboys are expecting to get back Enos Lewis. The senior defensive back has returned from an injury and practiced this week.

Lewis will help a defensive backfield that has been decimated by injuries and dismissals.

“Getting Enos back will be huge for us,” Goff said.