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LAKE CHARLES – McNeese hit the practice field for the first time in fall camp on Thursday afternoon with a ton of excitement and enthusiasm.
 
"All in all I thought it was a really good day," said 10^th-year head coach Matt Viator following the 2-hour, 10-minute first day. "We actually ran some things that looked like plays. For the first day I thought it was pretty good."
 
The Cowboys dressed in helmets, shorts and jerseys and will do the same on Friday at 4:30 before slipping on the shoulder pads for the first time Saturday afternoon.
 
Senior quarterback Daniel Sams took snaps with the first team and is listed No. 1 on the preseason depth chart.
 
"We have a good feeling going in (with the QBs)," said Viator. "We have a good feeling with Daniel. We know what the guys are capable of doing. We have a good feel of how far Grant (Ashcraft) has come. With Tyler (Bolfing), we've always known what he can do. What's probably a little different this year is we have a good idea of what their skill sets are and what they're best at doing."
 
A bright spot on the field was the return of wideout Kent Shelby. Shelby injured his kneed against Arkansas Tech in the third game of the season and missed the remainder of the season. Now he's back and ready to go.
 
"The offseason was a great process for me," said Shelby. "I did a lot of exercises in the swimming pool. Did a lot of jogging. Worked on the treadmill and did a lot of squats. Just did a lot of different things to get my legs right for this moment right here."
 
"I think he looked good," said Viator of Shelby's practice. "I know he's excited. I watched him a little this summer from afar and it looks like he's going to be fine."
 
McNeese will practice again in shorts and helmets on Friday afternoon beginning at 4:30. The team will put the pads on Saturday and will go full pads for the first time on Monday. The first scrimmage is slated for 6 p.m. on August 15.
 
The Cowboys, ranked No. 23 in the FCS Preseason Coaches Poll, will open the season on Sept. 5 at No. 13 LSU.