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As UL football players arrive in town today for the start of fall camp, the clock officially begins to tick toward the team’s season opener on Sept. 5 against Southern University at Cajun Field.
The Ragin’ Cajuns will hold their first practice this season under eighth-year head coach Rickey Bustle on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. with plenty of questions about this squad still unanswered. Fall camp, which will include scrimmages on Aug. 15 and 22, ends on Aug. 26.
Before UL takes the practice field, let’s take a look at five storylines to follow during fall camp:
1. Who’s the man?
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Joshua Parrott
jparrott@theadvertiser.com
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After being picked sixth in the preseason, the Cajuns finished second in the Sun Belt Conference standings last season and won six games for the third time in four years.
For that success — or even more — to happen again this season, UL needs to fill open spots on both sides of the ball.
The offense racked up yardage and scored points with ease in 2008. All five starters up front are back, but the unit lost all-conference players at quarterback (Michael Desormeaux), running back (Tyrell Fenroy)
and wide receiver (Jason Chery).
On defense, there are nine returning starters. Expect plenty of stiff competition for playing time at defensive end, defensive tackle, free safety and strong safety.
Another all-conference player is gone in kicker Drew Edmiston, who was a consistent and underrated piece for the past three years.
2. Offensive remix
Losing Desormeaux, Fenroy, Chery and Edmiston to the pro football ranks has produced some interesting offensive battles going into fall camp. The offensive line returning intact could ease any expected growing pains.
At quarterback, sophomores Brad McGuire and Chris Masson are the front-runners but have thrown a combined 39 college passes. Redshirt freshman Blaine Gautier could even see the field.
McGuire, who had sports hernia surgery in the offseason, holds the slight edge right now after serving as last year’s primary back-up. With McGuire out for the spring game, Masson led the offense to a 27-26 win over the defense after passing for 211 yards and one touchdown.
Undrea Sails, a senior from Alabama, went into the summer as the starting running back after showing he could run and block in the spring. Senior Matt Dupre, sophomore Julian Shankle, redshirt freshmen Yobes Walker and Draylon Booker are also in the mix, along with incoming freshman Robert Walker from Mamou.
The receiver position has more depth and features some fresh faces in junior college transfers Rico Joseph and Vernon Wolfe and incoming freshman Javone Lawson. Junior Marlin Miller is back after sitting out last year to focus on academics. Senior Louis Lee, junior Richie Falgout and sophomore Pierre Hill should have plenty of balls thrown their way.
With Edmiston gone, junior Tyler Albrecht and redshirt freshman Brett Baer are battling for the kicking duties. Albrecht is inconsistent but has a stronger leg, so he could handle kickoffs. Baer, who has shown more consistency, booted the winning field goal in the spring game.
3. Getting defensive
The defense got bit hard by the injury bug last year and struggled down the stretch as inexperienced players were forced into action.
UL coaches hope for better results with a healthy squad. Nine starters and 10 of the unit’s top 12 tacklers from last season are back.
The linebacker position will be a position of strength with senior Antwyne Zanders leading the way. Junior Daylon McCoy had a breakout year and could do more if healthy. Junior Grant Fleming returns after missing half of last season with a knee injury.
Up front, the defensive line must generate a better pass rush to keep quarterbacks from cutting apart the secondary. No starting job appears to be safe on the defensive line with an interesting mix of youngsters pushing the upperclassmen.
Returning cornerbacks Orkeys Auriene and Dwight Bentley are set to start again. Junior Maurice Rolle Jr. enjoyed a strong spring and overtook two-year starter Gerren Blount at free safety. Sophomore Chris Richard is the favorite to replace all-conference pick Derik Keyes at strong safety.
4. Playing smart
Few teams in the country were floored by as many injuries as the Cajuns last season. At least 20 players missed the spring game due to injuries.
One good thing that the team pulled from those injuries was added depth for this season. UL will be deep at running back, wide receiver and linebacker and on the offensive and defensive lines. Fewer trips to the athletic trainers off the field in 2009 would likely result in better results on the field.
In a game as physical as football, injuries are always going to happen. The Cajuns just hope that some last year’s misery will be followed by some lucky breaks this fall.
5. New faces
Last season, only a handful of newcomers made significant contributions for the Cajuns.
Tight end Ladarius Green was second on the team with five touchdown catches and was third with 22 receptions as a true freshman. Dwight Bentley started 10 games at cornerback as a redshirt freshman. Derreck Dean played in all 12 games at defensive tackle in his first year of college football.
The next three weeks of practice will determine which newcomers will be a factor this season.
Four junior college transfers — wide receivers Rico Joseph and Vernon Wolfe and defensive linemen Jordan Topp and Tyrell Gaddies — could be immediate contributors.
From the prep ranks, running back Robert Walker, defensive lineman Brandon McCray, wide receiver Javone Lawson and defensive back Melvin White might have the talent to play right away. Time will tell during fall camp.
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