2005 Football Schedule Close to Completion

<i>Texas, McNeese on slate, opponents are set</i><blockquote><p align=justify>Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns strengthened the future with their 2005 signing class on Wednesday, and they'll soon have a schedule to go with it.

While coach Rickey Bustle and his staff were getting the written confirmation on this year's newcomers, Athletic Director Nelson Schexnayder was putting the finishing touches on an 11-game 2005 slate that opens against Rose Bowl champion Texas.

The lineup will also include a home game against longtime rival McNeese State at Cajun Field, a matchup that hasn't occurred since the 1986 campaign.

McNeese State was the final piece of the puzzle for UL, which will have five home games and six on the road next fall.

Division 1-AA power McNeese State holds a 29-15-2 all-time lead in its series with UL.

Both Florida International and Florida Atlantic will be coming to Cajun Field for Sun Belt Conference games, with league member Troy also visiting Lafayette.

The fifth home game will feature Central Florida.

<center><p><a href="http://www.theadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050203/SPORTS/502030339/1006">The rest of the story</a>

Bruce Brown
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On the road, the Cajuns will meet the Texas Longhorns and Eastern Michigan in addition to four Sun Belt contests at Arkansas State, UL Monroe, North Texas and Middle Tennessee.

"Originally," Schexnayder said, "we were going to host Florida International and go to Florida Atlantic. But we changed the Arkansas State game to an away game since they had been here the last two years, and Florida Atlantic was willing to work with us on switching.

"Obviously, having seven (Sun Belt) games set helps. You know each year you're either going to have four at home and three away, or three and four. We signed the papers with Eastern Michigan sometime back, and Texas was one we had talked about for some time. We signed with Central Florida later."

The Cajuns visited Texas in 2001, leading 10-0 after the first quarter before losing 52-10 in the only previous meeting with the Longhorns.

"It's not perfect," Schexnayder said. "We have two on the road, then three home, two road, then home-away, home-away."

Schexnayder now turns his attention to future schedules.

Future big guarantee road games include LSU in 2006 and South Carolina in 2007.

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<blockquote><p align=justify><b><center>2005 football opponents</b><i>
(Dates to be announced by UL)</i></center>

<b>HOME</b>
<li>Central Florida
<li>Florida Atlantic*
<li>Florida International*
<li>McNeese State
<li>Troy*

<b>AWAY</b>
<li>Texas
<li>Arkansas State*
<li>Eastern Michigan
<li>UL Monroe*
<li>Middle Tennessee*
<li>North Texas*

<b>*</b> <i>Conference games</i>

It's great to see no conference from teams that aren't in the Sun Belt anymore. I know we had to do it last year, but not anymore!..O..

I am glad to see Mcneese on the schdule because it should bring in a really good crowd. They have a good fan base and should bring a good amount of people plus the rivalry factor and that adds up to a great game.

I know the Sun Belt scheduling can get a little screwed up sometimes, but doesn't it seem like we should be playing at Troy and then get ULM at home?

Give #56 of McNeese hell when he's on the sidelines. He is a really good friend and was my center in high school. He just called me earlier and told me to get pumped because they are.

Is he a linebacker? If so, ask him how many tackles he will miss on Wallace or one of our many speedy backs as opposed tackles!!

No, actually he's a lonely center.

So now that we know the 11 teams we play in 2005, can people get us some dates that we play these 11 teams, when and where?

This is what I know so far...
Sept 3 UL @ Texas
Oct 22 UL @ Mid Tenn
Oct 29 Troy @ UL
Nov 5 UL @ N Texas

Does anyone know the dates and locations of the other 7 games? I compiled this partial list from the other schools websites. I just want to get them on my calendar ASAP!!! Or do we have to wait until they are realeased by the AD Dept?

GEAUX CAJUNS!!!

as the first post has "changed"

i can post north texas's 2006
schedule.. does that mean anything? well one could think so..

Date Opponent
Sept. 2 at Texas
Sept. 9 vs. SMU
Sept. 16 at Tulsa
Sept. 30 vs. Middle Tennessee
Oct. 7 at Troy
Oct. 21 vs. Fla. International
Oct. 28 at La.-Monroe
Nov. 4 vs. Louisiana Tech
Nov. 11 at La.-Lafayette
Nov. 18. vs. Florida Atlantic
Nov. 25 at Arkansas State

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