The 2022 season was admittedly a step back for McMurry, and head coach Jordan Neal understands there’s pressure to show improvement this year. Injuries ravaged the War Hawks last year, leading to a disappointing 1-9 overall record. Depth has been an issue since Neal took over a program with 42 players on the roster in 2019. The pandemic provided another blow to the War Hawks roster, which played a role in the record with so many injuries last season.

Neal believes McMurry has more depth and experience since he arrived on campus. Whether the War Hawks will surprise some opponents this year rests on an improved offensive attack. McMurry finished next to last in the ASC, scoring 15.7 points per game. Defensively, Neal expects the War Hawks to improve upon a solid 2022 campaign that featured finishing fifth in the ASC by allowing an average of 369.8 yards per game.