McNeese/Viator Talks Growth at Southland Media Day

HOUSTON, TEXAS - The message from the McNeese Cowboys at Southland Conference Media Day was clear: Year 2 under Matt Viator is about turning progress into results.

McNeese took the stage Tuesday in Houston for the unofficial kickoff of the 2026 season, bringing head coach Matt Viator along with running back Tre’Vonte Citizen and defensive back Javon Davis to represent the Cowboys.

Year one back on the Cowboy sideline certainly wasn't what Matt Viator envisioned when he took over the challenge of bringing the once-proud program back to relevance after a few bad seasons, but it had its signs.

After starting the season 1-5, the Cowboys finished off the 2025 season 4-2 over the final six games, including a big win to close out the regular season over cross-border rival Lamar.

That late-season push is something Viator believes can carry into 2026.

“I think the biggest growth has been our everyday expectations and how we go about our business,” Viator said. “That’s been the most pleasant thing for me to see — how we prepare, how we work and how we handle things every day. We’ve continued to get better with the process, and I think our program is getting better every day. I think we’re heading in the right direction.”

Viator emphasized that the next step for McNeese is becoming a more consistent football team, particularly on offense.

"We need better balance. There were games where we threw the ball well, but we weren't consistent enough. Early in the season we struggled to run it, but by the end of the year we had one of the top rushing attacks in the conference. We ended up running the quarterback quite a bit, but you also have to ask if that's sustainable for 12 games. We have to be more efficient and more consistent throwing the football, and that's something we've worked on."

Consistency on the offensive side of the ball starts with the Quarterback position, and for McNeese, Jake Strong returns for his second season in Lake Charles. That is actually unfamiliar territory in Cowboy Country; Strong is the first returning starting quarterback since Cody Orgeron dating back to 2019.

Strong had a solid debut campaign as a Cowboy, as he threw for over 2,000 yards while also rushing for over 400 yards. His 2,0008 yards last season were good for the 10th most in a season in school history.

In the offensive backfield, Strong will be joined by former Lake Charles College Prep standout Tre’Vonte Citizen. Citizen rushed for over 500 yards last year with 4 touchdowns. Citizen wasn’t too focused on personal goals, but more about the success of the team…

“I want this to be a dominant season for McNeese,” Citizen said. “I don’t really have personal goals. I want to do whatever it takes to help this team win. If that’s playing special teams or whatever role I’m asked to do, I’ll do it. I just want to help this team be successful.”

On the defensive side, Javon Davis represented McNeese at Southland Media Days, and he echoed that same team-first mentality.

For Davis, the ultimate goal is not individual recognition.

“I’m really not focused on personal accomplishments,” Davis said. “That’s great, but I haven’t won anything as a team since I’ve been here. That’s what matters to me. I want to bring a championship back to this program and give this community something to be proud of.”

The injury bug caught up with McNeese during the spring, as Davis had to take more of a teacher role during that period, but he said it was a role that really helped him grow as a leader…

��I had to take on more of a coaching role,” Davis said. “I wanted to be someone the younger guys could come to for advice, ask questions and learn how to play faster. At first it was tough because I’ve always been on the field, but stepping back helped me grow as a leader.”

McNeese won’t be able to ease into the season as they have in the past; they will be rudely greeted by last year's conference Champion, Stephen F Austin, when they take to Navarre Stadium in Week Zero.

The Cowboys will get into the real swing of things a week from today when they open up training camp on Wednesday, July 29th.