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As expected, three weeks of fall camp practices for UL’s football team provided some answers to vital questions going into the 2009 season. By no surprise, the Ragin’ Cajuns are still looking for some solutions.
Before we look ahead to Saturday’s season opener against Southern University, let’s take a look back at some of the things we know about Rickey Bustle’s team after watching fall camp.
We know that ...
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Joshua Parrott
jparrott@theadvertiser.com
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Sophomore Chris Masson is the starting quarterback going into Week 1 after a tight race with last year’s back-up, sophomore Brad McGuire. The Miami native lacks college experience but has improved by leaps and bounds since spring drills after gaining 11 pounds over the summer. His consistency won him the starting nod. He is a more polished passer than departed starter Michael Desormeaux but is not as good a runner. His arm gives the offense a true passing threat for the first time in a long time.
McGuire’s chance
McGuire will get a shot if Masson struggles for too long or gets hurt. McGuire stepped in for an injured Desormeaux a few times last season and was solid despite battling a sports hernia. He was sacked five times and threw two picks in his lone college start against Arkansas State, but led a comeback with two scoring drives in the final eight minutes. The team’s starting quarterback has gotten injured at least once every year under Bustle, so history suggests that McGuire will eventually be out there this season.
Filling Fenroy’s shoes
The void left by the departure of record-breaking running back Tyrell Fenroy will be filled early on by senior Undrea Sails and redshirt freshman Draylon Booker. Sails is not a big-play threat like Fenroy, but is solid as a runner, receiver and pass blocker. His leadership has also paid big dividends for an offense with plenty of young faces. Booker sat out last season as a redshirt and has battled injuries but is talented. His play in the fall put him ahead of sophomore Julian Shankle and redshirt freshman Yobes Walker.
Rotating offense
The offensive line is the best in the conference, but there will be more substituting this season. Chris Fisher, Brad Bustle, Kyle Pirtle, Ian Burks and Jonathan Decoster started all but one of a possible 60 games last season. Redshirt freshman Jaron Odom, junior Colin Windsor, sophomore Kyle Plouhar and redshirt freshman Leonardo Bates all earned praise in the preseason from offensive line coach Ron Hudson. More frequent rotations will keep the guys fresh and provide experience for the future.
Change of pace
Redshirt freshman Blaine Gautier will get some reps at quarterback but only in short supply unless Masson and McGuire get hurt or fall apart. Gautier is a playmaker and a dual threat but still needs to develop as a passer. For now he is at his best as a change-of-pace quarterback until he gets more game experience. Don’t be surprised to see him return kicks because it’s an easy way to put the ball in his hands.
A deep receiving corps
There is more depth at wide receiver despite losing Jason Chery and Derrick Smith. Senior Louis Lee and juniors Marlin Miller and Richie Falgout are the top three receivers right now. Lee finished strong last year. Miller, who was academically ineligible in 2008, will assume Chery’s role on reverses and sweeps. Falgout is the top possession receiver. Junior college transfers Andrew “Rico” Joseph and Vernon Wolfe, sophomore Pierre Hill and freshman Javone Lawson will also be in the mix.
Points at a premium
On offense the Cajuns will score some points but not match last year’s numbers. Masson will benefit from playing Southern in the opener, which will allow him to get comfortable against an overmatched defense. Sails and Booker must establish the running game. A veteran offensive line could help the Cajuns surprise some teams here and there but not over the long haul. The spread option puts defenses in tough spots, but it would be a surprise if the offense comes anywhere close to its 2008 totals.
Defense will improve
Without a doubt, the defense will be better after being one of the worst in the Sun Belt last season. Exactly how much better remains to be seen. Injuries tore apart this side of the ball a season ago, especially at linebacker. With nine returning starters the defense should be much improved. It helps that there’s more depth on the defensive line and at linebacker, but the secondary isn’t as deep and experienced, which will be a concern if it’s hit by injuries.
Questions in kicking game
The kicking game will lack consistency after losing all-conference player Drew Edmiston. So far it’s been a draw between junior Tyler Albrecht and redshirt freshman Brett Baer in the race to kick field goals and point-after attempts due to injuries and inconsistency. Safety Lance Kelley appears to be the man to beat on kickoffs after a solid effort in fall camp. There’s a chance that Albrecht and/or Baer will improve when they finally get healthy, at least that’s what Cajun fans hope will happen.
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