USL limps into Indian Stadium for ASU Homecoming
<blockquote><p align=justify>The football team might be hoping October will bring new hope to a rebuilding program after the Indians (1-3) wrapped up the first full month of the season with a lopsided loss to nationally ranked Virginia Tech 50-0 Saturday.
On a positive note from the trip to Virginia Tech, first year head coach Joe Hollis said he was able to play 52 of the 60 players who boarded the plane for Blacksburg, Va.
This week's Homecoming game against the University of Southwestern Louisiana will offer the Indians a chance to get back on the winning track. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. Saturday.
The Ragin' Cajuns, with an 0-5 record, are off to their worst start since 1991.
In his 12th season as USL's head coach, Nelson Stokley said every injury that can happen has happened for the Cajuns this year.
By losing four of his most talented athletes for the remainder of the season, Stokley has had to play redshirt freshmen in vital positions, such as quarterback and receiver.
One major absence in the Ragin' Cajun offense is record-setting junior wide receiver Brandon Stokley. Stokley, the son of the head coach, is scheduled to undergo surgery on his left knee, which he damaged in the Cajuns' third game of the season against Texas A&M.
Other injuries the Cajuns must overcome include two quarterbacks who have shared time, junior Brian Soignier (6 feet, 185 pounds), who is out with a knee injury, and sophomore Barton Folse (6-1, 214), who is out with a fractured right hand.
These two experienced quarterbacks have shifted quarterbacking responsibilities to freshman Lance Domac (6-0, 192). Domac has not recorded a touchdown pass in his three games as a college quarterback although he leads the team in interceptions with three.
Tight end is another crucial area in which the Cajuns lack experience in and must play yet another true freshman, Anthony Dozier (6-4, 245) at this position.
If the Cajuns have a bright spot, the offensive line might be it. Ranking second in the nation, USL averages 322.2 pounds per man across the front.
The left side is the biggest in college football with seniors Anthony Clement (6-8, 349) at tackle and Keith Ware (6-2, 380) at guard. Those two combined with junior center Ben Archer (6-3, 276), give the Cajuns more than a half-ton (1,005 pounds) on that side.
The Cajun defense has allowed 243 points in five games and more than 40 points every outing.
This high average is partly due to the quality of USL's opponents, which include Texas A&M, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech and Pittsburgh.
"We're struggling offensively. We're struggling defensively. So we've got to continue to work hard and work through and get some W's," Stokley said. "I still believe and have to believe we can be successful this season."
The Tribe is experiencing growing pains as well but has a minimal number of injuries that are sidelining players.
The quarterback position should be interesting in this week's game after all three Arkansas State University quarterbacks saw action against Virginia Tech.
Hollis is searching for a quarterback to form his offense around and is experimenting with the talents of the A-State quarterbacks. The three Indians who saw action against the Hokies a week ago are junior Jeremie Watkins (6-1, 200) of Simi Valley, Calif., senior Brent Pettus (6-1, 170) of Tuscaloosa, Ala., and true freshman Cleo Lemon (6-2, 185) of Greenwood, Miss.
"You can't equally divide the snaps. I don't think that's a smart thing, and we haven't reached that decision yet on how we're going to divide the snaps. But probably all three will play," Hollis said. "Right now we don't know who will start the game."
This will be the 28th meeting between the Cajuns and the Indians, and the series is even with each team winning 13 games, with one tie in 1971.
In the last four meetings, however, USL has been victorious, winning last year's contest 42-31 at Cajun Field.
"It should be a good football game. They've kind of had our number the last few years," Hollis said. "I know they've won the last four, and I see that Nelson is 7-2 in his tenure at USL. We need to bow up and get this one.
"Losing is not a lot of fun. It really isn't," Hollis said. "I try to look at the positive and will always continue to look at the positive. That's my nature."
The Tribe did not fumble in last week's game, and the penalties that have plagued the team in previous games were cut down as well, with only six penalties for 28 yards.
"We've got a lot of young players who want to win. We have some older ones that want to win," Hollis said. "We're going to have to reconstruct and reshape this football program. The only way you're going to do it is roll your sleeves up and get after it."
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Tommy Jones
The Herald