Looking for Strong Start

By Jim Gazzolo

Jake Strong made a great first impression as a Cowboy.

In his first game as the McNeese State quarterback, Strong finished 22-of-28 for a career-best 329 yards and three touchdowns against overmatched Louisiana Christian. 

The Texas Tech transfer picked up another 26 yards on the ground as the Cowboys began the season with a blowout victory. Strong picked up his first of three Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors with the effort. 

Over the next four games, he would throw for 191 yards or more in three of them, but they were all games McNeese lost. After that, he had just one game of more than 175 yards passing the rest of the season. 

It was part of an up-and-down year for the quarterback, who played the first 11 games before an injury left him sidelined for the season finale.

“I learned a lot last season,” said Strong. “I am excited about this season and moving forward with this offense. I think I have matured as well.”

Now a junior, Strong will become the first starting QB returning for the Cowboys since Cody Orgeron in 2020 when McNeese takes the field Saturday night against Stephen F. Austin. He also has his offensive coordinator, Tyler Bolfing, back, which is a big plus for McNeese.

“It helps to have the stability and to build on what we did last season,” said Strong. 

He finished last season throwing for 2,008 yards, connecting on 164-of-278 passes, 11 for touchdowns. He also rushed for 469 yards on 117 carries for seven scores. 

His 225.2 yards of total offense per game was good for fourth in the Southland and 39th in all of FCS. However, there was a downside.

Strong was picked off 13 times, a number that must come down if McNeese is to improve from last year’s 5-7 record.

“We have to get more out of our passing game, and we can’t turn the ball over,” Cowboy head coach Matt Viator said. “Jake is a real strong leader and has the talent, but we can’t turn the ball over. I think we will be better at that this year.”

For the second straight year, Strong won the starting job during camp, though this time he went in as the favorite ahead of redshirt sophomore Devin Lippold. With a year on campus under his belt, Strong says he feels right at home in Lake Charles.

“I am much more comfortable with everything both on campus and in the town,” Strong said. “This team is different from last year, much closer as a unit. We are all excited to get going.”

Strong and the Cowboys look to make a statement Saturday night inside Navarre Stadium.