Under the scorching sun Gary Goff’s second year as head coach of the Cowboys got underway with far more bodies than the season before.

McNeese State officially opened up camp Wednesday morning with some highs and some lows, as expected. And a good portion of the talk was about the heat and overcoming the near-triple-digit temperatures that greeted the 100-plus Cowboys on the practice field.

The extreme heat took its toll on the players who went through a 2:28 workout in helmets and shorts. The Cowboys will do the same again today before returning on Friday and Saturday in shells.

Full pads will be worn on Monday.

“It was Day 1,” said Goff. “There was lots of nervous excitement. We were not perfect. We have a lot of things to tighten up.”

The Cowboys are full of hope going into this season as 57 new players have been added to the roster. McNeese has suffered through three straight losing seasons and was just 4-7 in Goff’s first season last fall.

However, there was more than enough energy, especially early.

“It is like Christmas morning,” said long snapper Trey Vondenstein. “It was intense and it was hot.”

Vondenstein is one of just four seniors on the roster for the Pokes. His time at McNeese dates back to the Lance Guidry era in 2018.

“I’ve been here for six years and this means a lot to me,” Vondenstein said. “A lot of things have happened for sure. I think we have a team that can do something this season.”

For that to happen McNeese will have to settle on more than a few open positions, including quarterback.

Tre’ Simmons took snaps with the first team, but Goff advised not reading too much into that. He started because he beat Nate Glantz in a battle of rock-paper-scissors the day before according to the coach.

Both of the transfers will get an equal number of reps until a decision is made said Goff.

“One day we will have one work completely with the first team and then flip it the next,” Goff said.

Per his usual way, Goff would not even hint at who, if either, has the upper hand.

“We told them you have to come in here and own the position not just run the plays,” Goff said.

There is also a lot of interest at the receiver position. With 13 new players in the room, competition is strong.

“We are very deep in that room,” said junior receiver Jalen Johnson. “The competition is making us all better.”

Johnson admitted the new attitude around the team is fun.

“It is exciting,” Johnson said. “Guys have worked hard to get us here. Great to be back.”

Johnson had a big spring according to his coach but Goff was a little more reserved with his comments about the receivers as a group.

“We still want to improve there,” said Goff. “We still have work to do there.”

One thing that has to be watched is the heat. McNeese took a 15-minute “halftime break” in an attempt to keep the players fresh and hydrated.

“We are going to try and space out some of those breaks,” said Goff. “You really have to watch the heat. It is why we are going in the morning to try and get things done before it gets too hot.”

The real heat will likely come from all the open positions being fought over. It is possible the Pokes could open the season with 15 or 16 players in new starting roles.

That alone will keep camp interesting through the hot days of August.