The McNeese Cowboys will open their 73rd season at home tonight when they host the Tarleton State Texans. It will be the first meeting between the two schools.

The Cowboys were 10-1 in 2015, going undefeated in the regular season for the 5th time in their history. The Pokes are 45-25-2 in regular season openers and have not lost one at home since 1999, a 41-17 loss to Northern Iowa. The Cowboys are ranked 9th and 11th in the 2 FCS preseason polls and picked to finish 2nd in the Southland Conference polls. McNeese has posted 11 straight winning seasons.

Tonight's game will mark the beginning of the Lance Guidry era on the sidelines for McNeese. Guidry takes over for long time head coach Matt Viator. Guidry is a former McNeese Cowboy defensive back from 1990 to 1993. The game will also be the first start for sophomore transfer James Tabary at QB. The Cowboys return 13 starters from the 2015 season.

The Texans are coached by former Sam Houston State head coach Todd Whitton. Tarleton State finished the 2015 season at 3-7. The Texans have won their last 2 games against SLC competition beating SFA in 2007 and Abilene Christian in 2013. They are a member of the Lone Star Conference and the school is in Stephenville, Texas, southwest of Fort Worth.

Kickoff is at 6, airtime is at 5 on 929 The Lake and 929thelake.com. Tom Hoefer, Johnny Suydam, and Ron Hayes return to the broadcast booth once again this season.

More From 92.9 The Lake