McNeese at Tarleton football game rescheduled for Aug. 24 to support Season 24 opener – Crescent City Sports

LAKE CHARLES — McNeese's football game at Tarleton State has been postponed until Aug. 24 to facilitate the start of the 2024 college football season and play in front of a national television audience on the ESPN network. Kick-off time and network have not yet been determined.

This will be the second straight season the Cowboys will play on the ESPN family of networks after playing Florida on ESPNU last season.

“I’m really excited to move our game with Tarleton to Week Zero this season,” said McNeese Athletics Director Heath Schroyer. “I want Dr. I would like to personally thank (James) Hurley, President of Tarleton, for working with me and for his leadership throughout the entire process.

“Having the opportunity to help kick off the 2024 college football season and play on linear ESPN is a fantastic opportunity for us. Strengthening our brand as an athletic department and as a university has been a key goal of mine, and this move will help us accomplish just that. I couldn’t be more excited!”

The contest will be one of just three FCS games scheduled in Week Zero – Southeast Missouri at North Alabama and Florida A&M at Norfolk State, along with four FBS games.

Originally scheduled for September 14th at Stephenville, that date will now be one of two open dates for the Cowboys this season, the other being October 5th.

The timing and actual network have yet to be determined.

This year will be the Cowboys and Texans' fourth meeting in the series, with McNeese leading 2-1. Tarleton defeated the Cowboys 52-34 in their season opener in Lake Charles last year.

McNeese won the first game of 2016 33-3 and then defeated the Texans 40-37 in a thrilling double-overtime contest in Stephenville to kick off the 2021 spring football season.

After the opener, McNeese will begin its home season on August 31 against Southern.