WR Fred Stamps named to preseason 2003 SBC team at the New Orleans football media meetings. The Cajuns were picked to finish 5th in conference behind
North Texas
New Mexico St
Middle Tennessee
Arkansas State
and ahead of
Utah State
Idaho
ULM
LINK
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WR Fred Stamps named to preseason 2003 SBC team at the New Orleans football media meetings. The Cajuns were picked to finish 5th in conference behind
North Texas
New Mexico St
Middle Tennessee
Arkansas State
and ahead of
Utah State
Idaho
ULM
LINK
<blockquote><p align=justify>The Sun Belt preseason rankings selected by a voting panel of head coaches, media relations directors and media. Each line includes the team’s number of points and, in parentheses, first-place votes:
1. North Texas, 186 (20)
2. New Mexico State, 160 (2)
3. Middle Tennessee, 131 (1)
4. Arkansas State, 112
5. <b>Louisiana</b>, 98
6. Utah State, 75
7. Idaho <i>[at Moscow]</i>, 59 (1)
8. UL Monroe, 43<center><p><a href="http://www.theadvertiser.com/sports/html/EF452AE7-4AE6-4057-BFFF-4421D5900E02.shtml">The rest of the [AP] story</a><!--
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2003 Sun Belt Conference Football Preseason All-Conference Team:
Offensive Line: Trevor Hutton, Utah State; Kimani Jones, Arkansas State; Jake Scott, Idaho; Brandon Westbrook, Middle Tennessee; Nick Zuniga, North Texas
Tight End: Chris Cooley, Utah State
Wide Receivers: Fred Stamps, University of Louisiana <i>[at Lafayette}</i>; Mack Vincent, ULM
Quarterback: Brian Lindgren, Idaho
Running Backs: Patrick Cobbs, North Texas; Eric Higgins, New Mexico State.
Defensive Line: Jon Bradley, Arkansas State; Brandon Kennedy, North Texas; Joe Olivo, New Mexico State; Corey Williams, Arkansas State.
Linebackers: Taylor Casey, North Texas; Maurice Sonnier, UL Monroe; Cody Spencer, North Texas
Defensive Backs: Jonas Buckles, North Texas; Jonathan Burke, Arkansas State; Chris Harris, UL Monroe; Craig Jones, North Texas Special Teams
Kicker: Dario Aguiniga, New Mexico State
Punter: Robert Billings, Middle Tennessee
Return Specialist: JaMel Branch, North Texas
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Patrick Cobbs, Jr., RB, North Texas.
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Brandon Kennedy, Sr., DT, North Texas.
-->
<blockquote><p align=justify>NEW ORLEANS -- The University of North Texas dominated the Sun Belt Conference's preseason picks as the league concluded its Media Days on Wednesday.
Now all the Mean Green have to do is live up to the expectations when they start the season Aug. 30 at Oklahoma.
North Texas, which has won the league's first two titles, was picked to repeat as league champion. Mean Green defensive tackle Brandon Kennedy was selected Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and teammate and running back Patrick Cobbs received that honor on offense.
"Preseason is preseason," NTSU coach Darrell ____ey said. "Both these guys know what's most important is what is said at the end of the year.
. . .
<!-- "Last year's team won the league but this is a totally new group of players and different variables go into whether this team will be able to do that or not. This team has to be at its best week in and week out."
The Mean Green was 8-5 overall last season, finishing 6-0 in the Sun Belt and defeating Cincinnati in the New Orleans Bowl. New Mexico State, runner-up a year ago, was picked to finish second again, followed by Middle Tennessee, Arkansas State, Louisiana-Lafayette, Utah State (which makes its Sun Belt debut this season), Idaho and Louisiana-Monroe.
Kennedy, a 5-foot-11, 315-pound senior, was named the Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year after last season when he was third in the nation with 24 tackles for loss and led the league with 10 sacks.
"Thankfully for me his only drawback in a lot of people's eyes is he's not tall enough," ____ey said, "and if he were tall enough he probably wouldn't be at North Texas.
"When we recruited him I told my defensive coaches that when I watch their drills they always tell the players to stay low, that the low man wins. This guy can't help but be low. So we signed him and we're very fortunate that we did. We've got a wonderful football player."
Cobbs, a 5-9, 198-pound junior, was a bit of a surprise pick. He backed up senior Kevin Galbreath last season, though he still managed 761 yards and eight touchdowns on 159 carries, making him the league's top returning rusher.
"As long as he stays healthy this year Patrick will get a lot more of the workload," ____ey said. "Our offense is built around someone back there running the ball quite a bit."
UNT also led the way with eight players selected to the Preseason All-Conference team. Arkansas State was next with four, followed by ULM and New Mexico State with three each.
The Indians' representatives were linebacker Maurice Sonnier, defensive back Chris Harris and wide receiver Mack Vincent.
Sonnier, a senior from Port Barre, was the Sun Belt Preseason Defensive Player of the Year last year before a broken ankle ended his season in week four.
"Sonnier has a chance to play on the next level," ULM coach Charlie Weatherbie said. "We hope he can stay healthy. He's a leader in terms of discipline on and off the field. He's a very good student and he has his priorities in the right place. He's a guy that a lot of players can look up to on our football team." -->
Louisiana's <font size="1"><i>[at Lafayette]</i> </font size="1"> lone pick on the all-conference team was wide receiver Fred Stamps, a senior from New Orleans who was a first-team all-Sun Belt selection last season after catching 54 passes for 1,002 yards and eight touchdowns.
"Fred Stamps could play anywhere in the country," Ragin' Cajuns' coach Rickey Bustle said. "I was at Virginia Tech and he could have been one of our tops guys. He has really been working to win. He's getting better every day."
UL is the first team to get a crack at North Texas (Sept. 27 in Denton, Texas). The Mean Green have played their best football after the start of conference play the last two seasons, winning their last 11 league games after losing their Sun Belt debut against ULM two years ago.
<center><p><a href="http://www.2theadvocate.com/stories/072403/spo_unt001.shtml">The rest of the story</a>
By LES EAST
Special to The Advocate <!--
"The great thing that Darrell has been able to do is keep his players' heads up," Idaho coach Tom Cable said.
"The key is keeping smiles on your kids faces in good times and bad times and coming through September with your head held high and being healthy going into conference play. I admire what he's been able to do."
-->
Looking to 2004 and going off of this year's roster and projected starters here is what we could look like.
24 very experienced seniors, 3 Bustle recruitng classes (2 full), 3 years of playing in the same system for most of our juniors and seniors. I expect good things in 2003 but even better in 2004.
* = preseason 2003 listed starter
Redshirt Freshmen - 21
Michael Adams, DB
Dwain Banister, ATH
Chad Beck, TE
Will Chance, OL
Chris Cutler, DL
Paul Eli, DE
Travis Ferguson, DL
Tre' Green, LB
Jason Guidry, DE
Clay Howell, OL
Jordan Jackson, WR
Jarrett Jones, DB
Torres Kingsby, DB
Zach Leger, OL
Abdule Levier, RB
Brandon McDonald, WR
Lamar Morgan, DB
Mark Risher, LB
Clay Rudiek, DE
Eric Taylor, WR
Bruce Taylor, WR
Devin Williams, QB
Sophomore - 14
*Jerry Babb, QB
Chad Bordelon, C
*Brandon Cox, OL
Marshall Delesdernier, DS
Mack Fair, LB
John Grotefend, TE
Josh Harrison, RB
Anthony Hills, DE
Marlon Jackson, WR
*Jacob Junkin, DS
Derek Morel, WS
Ross Rix, RB
Butch Roussel, QB
Wes Simon, WS
Michael Zatarain, CB
Junior - 15
Johnny Felders, DB
*Terryl Fenton, DB
Chester Johnson, RB
Jarvis Murchisson, WR
*Sean Comiskey, K
*Corey Glover, OL
Julian Harris, RS
Marcus Jackson, CB
*Eugene Kwarteng, DE
Lanford Lemelle, OL
Mike Moore, OL
Tyler Norman, LB
James Roberts, WS
Justin Taylor, DL
Justin Venable, DE
Senior - 24
Travis Bass, DE
George Benson, DL
*Darryl Blappert, DT
C.C. Brown, DB
Travis Cones, FB
Ed Fane, OL
Ken Haynes, DT
Kemmie Lewis, WR
Adrian Limbrick, OL
Antwain Spann, DB
Ricky Thomas, DB
*Demetrios Brooks, OL
*Jerrell Carter, DB
B. J. Crist, WR
*Ronnie Harvey, C
*Greg Hodges, OL
Lawrence Johnson, TE
*Dwight Lindon, RB
Bryan Lloyd, OL
*David Prater, FS
Gary Rudiek, DE
Bill Sampy, WR
*Stanley Smith, LB
Wendall Williams, FS
74 total players
<blockquote><p align=justify>NEW ORLEANS — It would have been easy for Fred Stamps to relax.
As a junior for Louisiana's Ragin’ Cajuns, Stamps became only the second 1,000-yard receiver in school history (joining three-time member Brandon Stokley) with 54 catches for 1,002 yards and eight scores in 2002.
The Carver High product could have been satisfied, but he’s not.
That’s one reason why Stamps is the Cajuns’ lone representative on the preseason All-Sun Belt Conference Team announced here on Wednesday.
“Fred has been a complete pleasure to coach,” Cajun coach Rickey Bustle said. “A lot of times when a player has had success, it goes to his head, but he has been working his tail off.
“He has been out there every day this summer. He did a good job in the classroom, so he didn’t need to go to summer school, but he’s been out there every day.
“He saw Ike (Ivan Taylor) and Charles (Tillman) get drafted this year, and I think he sees the light at the end of the tunnel. I want him to have fun and play, and hopefully things will happen for him.”
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Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com <!--
Stamps has caught a pass in each of his 32 games played in college and has shown the talent to make a big difference in Bustle’s second-year program.
“Fred can play anywhere in the country,” Bustle said. “He’s a perfect example of someone who’s working to win. We’re looking for leaders on both sides of the ball. They’ve paid a big price, and the guys are tired of losing.
“Fred’s got a great personality. He comes by the office every other day, and we’ve spoken about what kind of year he needs in order to be successful.”
Stamps, who got consideration for Offensive Player of the Year from the All-Sun Belt voters, counts better pass patterns among his chief goals this season.
“He needs to be a more consistent route-runner,” Bustle said. “He’s such a natural that he doesn’t realize he’s doing it. Sometimes that happens when you get tired.
“We grade film every Sunday during the season, then we’ll show it to the wide receivers and they can’t believe they ran the route that way. They know better, but they’re not consistent enough.
“We want to prepare them just to (be able to) react, and to not be robots out there.”
Stamps is anything but a robot. He’s an all-conference player with flair, and one of the Cajuns’ leaders for 2003.
CAJUN CLIPPINGS: The All-Sun Belt team is dominated by seniors, with just one junior on offense, two on defense and one kick returner cracking the lineup... two-time champion North Texas is picked to win the league, followed by New Mexico State, Middle Tennessee, Arkansas State, the Cajuns, Utah State, Idaho and UL Monroe.
-->
Positives to build on from 2003
Much improved special teams play.
We went from being the most penalized team in the Sun Belt to the least penalized in one year.
WR Fred Stamps returns following a 1000 yard season.
Average home attendence rose from 13,323 to 15,056 despite bad weather for every home game.
Negatives to improve on from 2003
RUSHING YARDAGE............... 734
Average Per Game.............. 61.2
Average Per Rush.............. 1.9
TDs Rushing................... 9
We were outscored in the first quarter 26-113.
Defense gave up an average of 29.6 points per game in SBC games and 29.0 points in OOC games.
Offense scored an avg 19.5 points per ame in SBC games and 14.5 in OOC games.
<blockquote><p align=justify>In the second year in the Rickey Bustle era, the hope will be for the offense to be more exciting and for the defense to tighten up. In the Sun Belt, Louisiana has to start making a move in league play coming off a competitive season. A loss is a loss is a loss, but the Ragin' Cajuns were able to come within a touchdown of MTSU and three points of New Mexico State while beating Idaho and Arkansas State. With a massive influx of junior college transfers, the overall depth of the program has improved and hopefully there will be enough of a talent upgrade to make some more noise in the Sun Belt.
This is still a young team that should give Bustle time to figure out all of the ins and outs of his talent. The key will be getting the offense moving after averaging a mere 16.9 points and 61 rushing yards per game. Bustle is known for being a top cultivator of quarterbacks and was fine at getting the Virginia Tech offense moving, so now he has to instill some life into the Ragin' Cajun attack. With receivers like Frederick Stamps and a slew of decent quarterback prospects, this season can't help but be more exciting.
<b>The Schedule:</b> Life won't ever be easy out of conference to ULL, but the team might have a shot at beating Houston in a home battle. Most likely, the Ragin' Cajuns will be 0-6 before trying to get revenge on UM Monroe. Traveling to North Texas and MTSU won't make the Sun Belt season an easy one.
<b>Best Offensive Player:</b> Senior WR Frederick Stamps. The best receiver in the Sun Belt, Stamps averaged 18.6 yards per catch and should be one of the top offensive weapons in the league.
<b>Best Defensive Player:</b> Senior SS Jamal Smith. As much of a linebacker as a defensive back, Smith is a great tackler and is decent against the pass. He'll be one of the team leaders in tackles again.
<b>Key player to a successful season:</b> The running game averaged 1.9 yards per carry last season, so new starters Dwight Lindon and Josh Harrison have to add more punch to the attack.
The season will be a success if… the Ragin' Cajuns win four games. It won't be easy, with a tough conference schedule and several harsh non-conference games. If ULL can play the best it can possibly play and the non-Sun Belt teams are looking ahead to other games, ULL could win four to five games. The team is at least a year away from thinking about challenging for the conference title.
<b>Key game:</b> Oct. 11 vs. UL Monroe. The Ragin' Cajuns can't lose two year in a row to its archrival. A loss could mean a total downturn for the program.
<b>2002 Fun Stats: </b>
- First quarter scoring: Opponents 113 - ULL 26
- Penalties: Opponents 96 for 725 yards - ULL 70 for 570
- Rushing yards per game: Opponents 182.2 - ULL 61.2
<center><p><a href="http://www.collegefootballnews.com/sun_belt/2003_Previews/UL_Lafayette_Preview.htm">The source of the story</a>
<blockquote><p align=justify>Fox Sports a look at the <a href="http://www.collegefootballnews.com/sun_belt/2003_Previews/UL_Lafayette_offense.htm">OFFENSE</a>
<b>Basically ...</b> The passing game should be solid with quarterbacks with strong arms throwing to Fred Stamps and a decent receiving corps. The line is deep and should be good in the Sun Belt. Now they have to find a way to open up the lanes to get a running game going.
<blockquote><p align=justify>Fox Sports: a look at the <a href="http://www.collegefootballnews.com/sun_belt/2003_Previews/UL_Lafayette_defense.htm">DEFENSE</a>
<b>Basically</b> ... The Ragin' Cajuns have to replace almost the entire secondary and needs to generate more of a pass rush. A massive infusion of junior college players should not only shore up the depth, but also fill in some major holes. The front six, or seven depending on the alignment, shouldn't be too bad.
Linemen
I feel much better about this group than last years. I look for 2 or 3 of these JC tranfers to suprise us.
Travis Bass 6-1 240 DE, Jr.
George Benson 6-3, 290 DT, Jr.
Darryl Blappert 6-7 275 DT, Jr.
Antonio Floyd 6-1 240 DE, Sr.
Ken Haynes 6-4 285 DT, Jr.
Anthony Hills 6-4 235 DE, RS-Fr.
Derace James 6-3 255 DE, Sr.
Eugene Kwarteng 6-4 235 DE, So.
Gary Rudiek 6-1 226 DE, Jr.
Daniel Taylor 6-1 281 DT, Sr.
Justin Taylor 6-2 260 DT, Jr.
Justin Venable 6-0 235 DE, So.
Shawn Williams 6-1 313 DT, Sr.
incoming freshman
Chris Cutler 6-3 270 DT
Paul Eli 6-3 230 DE
Travis Ferguson 6-2 285 DT
Jason Guidry 6-3 220 DE
Brupbacher and Smith should rule the inside with Norman and Fair seeing alot of playing time.
Linebackers
Ross Brupbacher 6-1 231, Sr.
Ricky Calais 5-10 219, Sr.
Mack Fair 6-1 225, RS-Fr.
Tyler Norman 6-2 205, So.
Jamaal Sanders 5-9 205, Sr.
Stanley Smith 6-1 240, Jr.
incoming freshman
Tre' Green 6-0 215
Mark Risher 6-2 225
Here is where the questions begin. Smith is the only returning starter. Felders and Lamy saw playing time last year and Brown and Prater are reported to be good players. Beyond Smith I guess we will just have to wait and see.
Safties
Patrick Lamy 5-10 195, Whip, Sr.
Wes Simon 6-0 200, Whip, RS-Fr.
Jamal Smith 5-10 190, Rover, Sr.
C.C. Brown 6-2 205, Rover, Jr.
David Prater 5-11 205, Free, Jr.
Wendall Williams 6-2 215, Free, Jr.
Johnny Felders 6-1 185, Free, So.
incoming freshman
Lamar Morgan 6-3 185, Free Saftey
Carter (before he broke his ankle) and Fenton both saw valuable playing time last year but it will be tough for them to hold off Thomas and Spann this year. All 4 will be hard pressed to replace Taylor and Tillman.
Cornerback
Jerrell Carter 5-8 185, Jr.
Terryl Fenton 6-1 200, So.
Antoine Spann 6-0 185, Jr.
Ricky Thomas 6-0 197, Jr.
incoming freshman
Jarrett Jones 6-0 185
Torres Kingsby 5-10 180
Overall, I think our depth and talent are better than last years, especially on the front line where the battle is won or lost. Alot will depend on how quickly the new faces grasp the defense and they all learn to play as a unit. The defense will not allow 29 points per game this season.
<center><table border=1><td><img src="http://www.nola.com/images/news/tplogo198x34.gif"></td></table></center><blockquote><p align=justify>With all due respect to Scott Cowen, Sun Belt Conference commissioner Wright Waters wishes the Tulane president would do a little less tilting at windmills and aim instead for some realistic objectives.
"There's good and bad in everything," Waters said of Cowen's declaration of war on the BCS by forming the Presidential Coalition for Athletic Reform last week. "The good is that he's put the issue on the table and all of the parties are willing to discuss it.
"But I'd like to see us put our efforts toward working on common goals that are attainable. Our focus should not be on tearing the BCS down, but on bringing the bottom up."
Waters is saying this not because his New Orleans-based league is considered 11th of the 11 Division I-A football conferences, and thus has no chance of being invited into college football's power structure. It's because he thinks the 54 non-BCS Division I-A schools can maximize their potential by cooperating instead of focusing on self-interest, either at the school or conference level.
"People always come to the table with different views," said Waters, who in one of his past jobs was an assistant athletic director at Tulane. "But we've got to be strong enough to find that consensus and keep the focus on the bigger football picture."
That would start with conference realignment, a matter on Waters' mind long before this spring's ACC/Big East tug-of-war.
While two of the non-BCS leagues, the Mountain West and Mid-American, are confined to their natural regions (with the exception of Central Florida in the MAC), the Sun Belt, Conference USA and WAC are spread out across multiple time zones.
"We're leaving money with airlines that we ought to be spending on competitive issues," he said. "But you've got to get past the egos.
"How can SMU justify not playing North Texas when it's flying to Hawaii for games? Don't (complain to) me about the money you haven't got unless you are willing to help yourself."
<center><p><a href="http://www.nola.com/sports/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-3/1059285512321790.xml">The rest of the story</a>
Ted Lewis<!--
To be sure, some of Waters' conference alignment ideas would rub egos the wrong way -- like Tulane being in the same league with Louisiana-Lafayette and Louisiana Tech, and Memphis aligned with Arkansas State and Middle Tennessee.
That's why he would like to see the five non-BCS conferences turn realignment over to a panel of wise men, such as former Big 8 commissioner Chuck Neinas, former CBS Sports president Neil Pilson and former Big East commissioner Dave Gavitt, who would draw up leagues that make geographic and competitive sense with the overriding principal that no school get left out.
"Everybody has to be at the table," Waters said. "If we cannibalize this thing, some programs are going to go out of business."
Once realignment is achieved, the next goal would be cooperation in scheduling and bowl arrangements.
And that could lead to Waters' best idea -- giving the non-BCS schools a bigger piece of the money pie without forcing the BCS schools to give up their spots in the big four bowls.
In Waters' world, the two best non-BCS teams would meet in the Liberty Bowl. Last year, according to CollegeBCS.com (using the BCS formula), that would have been Boise State and South Florida. In 1998, Tulane would have played Air Force instead of BYU.
The payout would be comparable to what the BCS at-large teams receive now, about $9.1 million, and would be spread among all of the schools. That doesn't come to much, but it's more than the schools are getting now.
"I don't know what you'd call it," Waters said. "But it would give us something to play for."
To Waters, a full-fledged playoff is all but out of the question,
"Some people just don't understand the uniqueness of college football," he said. "Every playoff model you see is based on basketball, and it just doesn't work in football, not even in I-AA.
"If there were a model that all could agree on, you would see the BCS schools jump on it. But there are elements like protecting the regular season and the bowls, plus avoiding over-commercialization, that make it very difficult to find one that works."
As for new I-A standards, another Cowen target, Waters has mixed feelings. While acknowledging that elements such as requiring schools to field teams in 16 sports and fund a minimum of 200 scholarships forces financially strapped programs to spend even more, he holds there should be high standards.
"You've got to be careful what you wish for," Waters said. "We've all got financial problems, but there's a line out there when you start watering down the overall product you don't want to cross.
"You can get to a point where you overemphasize football and leave out of lot of good kids who are doing things. If you cut the enterprise too far, you are denying opportunities, and you don't want to do that."
Waters said he doesn't want to speculate on what the future holds. The Sept. 8 meeting between BCS and non-BCS representatives should get the dialogue rolling, and the late-September meeting of the conference commissioners could see the matter thrown in their laps.
But it is time for thinking outside the box, something at which Waters is good. For example, instead of requiring everyone in the Sun Belt to play a full league schedule this season and next, causing cancellations of contracts that would cost the teams millions, there will be designated conference games this season and next.
"We're dealing with a lot of smart people here," Waters said. "But an athletic director in the WAC once told me that as long as our eyes in the back of our heads looking to what used to be, instead of to the front toward what can be, we're never going to advance the enterprise."
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I am anxious to watch Jerry Babb on O and Michael Zatarain on D.
I am ready.
Heard Pat Minnis say that practice starts this coming Sunday, is that right?
I think so. I remember thinking <I>'great I'm going to be out of town.'</i>Quote:
Originally posted by SwampFox
Heard Pat Minnis say that practice starts this coming Sunday, is that right?
<blockquote><p align=justify>LOUISIANA La. - The University of Louisiana athletics department announced Monday that fans interested in attending the New Orleans Saints Black and Gold Scrimmage and are planning on driving an RV/motorhome will have to park these vehicles in the Cajundome parking lot across the street from Cajun Field.
Parking at the Cajundome for RVs will be on a first-come first-serve basis. Attendees will be directed as to where to park upon arrival at the Cajundome.
No RVs will be allowed to park in the Cajun Field parking lots. The Cajun Field parking lots will be open to all other vehicles.</blockquote><b>LOUISIANA SI
Dont be so quick to throw out rekieta. Remember, in his 3 games he started I believe he was either 2-1 or 2-2 as a starter, and as much as I wanna see Babb come along, I think Rekieta deserves the chance to start and prove what he can do when not injured. I mean, he started like 4 games less then JVC and doubled JVC's win total on the season. I believe had he finished the Ark. game w/o injury, we would have won, and if he had been healthy, we coulda won the ULM game as well. Im not sayen that Babb cant win the starting job, but I think some people are having to short of a memory when it comes to rekieta.Quote:
Originally posted by Turbine
I am anxious to watch Jerry Babb on O and Michael Zatarain on D.
I am ready.
Tuffguy
<blockquote><p align=justify>LAFAYETTE — We all know the quarterback gets too much credit when a team wins, and too much blame when it loses.
Still, that position remains the focal point when football fans begin anticipating a season ahead.
In the Sun Belt Conference, quarterback will be an especially intriguing spot to watch as members try to halt the two-year reign of North Texas atop the league standings.
North Texas and New Mexico State were picked to finish 1-2 again, which is not surprising given the riches each program has at quarterback this season.
<center><p><a href="http://www.theadvertiser.com/sports/html/99F22400-C8FD-4BCA-87B5-ED174BAFDFDE.shtml">The rest of the story</a>
Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com <!--
At a level where depth can be hard to come by, both the Mean Green and NMSU’s Aggies have two proven winners behind center. That has to give them a decided edge.
<b>North Texas</b>
Scott Hall was at the controls in 2001 when UNT roared back from a 0-5 start to win the Sun Belt and advance to the inaugural New Orleans Bowl.
When Hall went down early last season, freshman Andrew Smith stepped in to guide his team to a second title by hitting 91-of-196 passes for 1,206 yards and seven touchdowns.
In the defense-oriented, ball control world of coach Darrell ____ey, Smith played his role well enough to win.
“We have two quarterbacks who have led their team to a conference championship,” ____ey said, “and I’ve never been around that kind of situation before.
“When Scott went out last year, we cut back on what we asked the quarterback to do. Gradually, we opened it up some more for Andrew. We realized, going against New Mexico State, that we couldn’t just run the ball down their throats.
“It was the same thing the next week against Middle Tennessee, then again in the bowl game against Cincinnati. The last three games reflected what he can do. He was asked to do more things and we were a little more wide open.”
Wide open is a relative term for the conservative ____ey, but the Mean Green did ring up 92 points in winning those last three games of 2002.
New Mexico State
NMSU is also loaded at quarterback, with both junior Buck Pierce and 2002 league Freshman of the Year Paul Dombrowski back this season.
Pierce bucked injuries to play in 8 of 12 games last year, hitting 68-of-107 passes for 949 yards and 6 touchdowns, while throwing just one interception. Dombrowksi stepped up, not only with his passing (95-158-5, 1,327, 7 TDs) but with team-leading rushing (189-868-12).
“I think we’re pretty solid at quarterback,” coach Tony Samuel said. “Buck missed some time last year, and Paul did a great job when he was called upon.
“Some people may view it as a quarterback controversy, but I always like to use two quarterbacks during the season. And, they’re both such good athletes, we possibly could use them both in the game at the same time.
“We’ll be able to open it up a little more this year because we have experience at quarterback.”
Middle Tennessee
Blue Raiders senior Andrico Hines was a work in progress in 2002 as a transfer from Southwest Mississippi Community College.
He hit 142-of-243 passes for 1,753 yards and 6 scores and rushed 150 times for 486 yards and 10 TDs. But Middle suffered early injuries around him and finished 4-8.
“Andrico had his good days and his bad days,” coach Andy McCollum said. “But his first three starts were against Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky.
“This year we’re going to be more solid behind him.”
Arkansas State
Junior Elliott Jacobs is the man on the spot for ASU this fall.
Last year, he hit 136-of-258 aerials for 1,751 yards, 7 scores and 7 pickoffs. But he could also turn and hand off to Sun Belt rushing champion Danny Smith (1,390 yards, 14 TDs).
No such ball carrier has separated from others yet, but coach Dave Roberts still likes what he sees in Jacobs.
“Elliott is a leader,” said Roberts, who finished 6-7. “He’s someone who makes the other 10 guys around him better. He’s shown a tremendous amount of poise.”
University of Louisiana
Ragin’ Cajun senior Eric Rekieta will try to come back from Tommy John surgery on his elbow to hold off hard-charging redshirt freshman Jerry Babb, with Matt Lane in the wings should either falter.
“I’m looking for someone who can find a way to win,” coach Rickey Bustle said. “Your quarterback ought to be one of the most competitive guys on your team.
“Our quarterbacks are so different this year in what they can do. I usually like to settle on one quarterback, but I wouldn’t rule out using two.
“We’re going to let it play out.”
Utah State
The Sun Belt newcomers lost record-setting Jose Fuentes, who threw for 3,268 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2002, but coach Mick Dennehy professes faith in junior Travis Cox, backed by redshirt freshman Bryan Black.
“We had some tremendous losses in Jose Fuentes, a three-year starter for us, as well as Kevin Curtis, who may be the best receiver ever to play at Utah State,” Dennehy said.
“But when Travis Cox has had the opportunity, he has done a very good job. In the spring, he showed he can be assertive in a leadership role.”
Idaho
Senior Brian Lindgren hit 240-of-382 passes for 2,763 yards and 19 touchdowns to earn All-Sun Belt Conference honors in 2002, but was done in by a Vandals defense that allowed a generous 428 points.
Now, he expects competition from sophomore Michael Harrington.
“Brian will have a battle with Michael, and that has upped the ante,” coach Tom Cable said. “We’ll go into fall camp to decide the battle.
“We move the ball a little bit on offense. Our issue is defense.”
UL Monroe
Coach Charlie Weatherbie came on board late, taking over the Indians in May, but he’s counting on sophomore Steven Jyles to build on his solid freshman campaign.
Jyles hit 181-of-368 passes for 2,318 yards and 17 scores.
“UL Monroe is known as ‘Quarterback U’, with players like Stan Humphries, Bubby Brister and Doug Pederson playing there before,” Weatherbie said. “We expect Steven to continue to improve over last season.” -->
It's getting closer. Having the Saints in town will be a clear-cut though unofficial start to football season.
I was looking at a poll on this site and it seems the locals agree with Phil Steele. I havent voted yet but if Ross Brupacker can anchor the middle this will make the whole defense that much better.
I read just yesterday that Wright Waters wants to be a BCS Athletic Director. I don't remember what school. I agree with him about all the money being left with airlines. Does anyone know when UL first started flying to games?
Well said Tuffguy, I don't care who starts-as long as it it the best QB we have.
WW needs to keep the piehole shut, at least at first while this coalition gets off the ground. :rolleyes:
Rash, luv that new avatar. :D
July 27, 2003 - Mark your calendars for these important upcoming dates regarding the
2003 football season for Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns:
Sunday, August 3 - Entire team reports, 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Monday, August 4 - First varsity practice, 8 a.m.; First freshmen
practice, 4 p.m.
Thursday, August 7 - First entire team practice - 4 p.m.
***Friday, August 8 - Photo/Press Day - 10:30 a.m. (Cajun
Field/Athletics Complex)
***Sunday, August 10 - Fan Day at Cajun Field - 6 p.m.
Wednesday, August 13 - First scrimmage
Sunday, August 17 - End of "two-a-days" and scrimmage 2
Wednesday, August 20 - Scrimmage 3
***Monday, August 25 - First Rickey Bustle Press Luncheon, 12:30 p.m.
("S" Club Room of the Athletics Complex)
Saturday, August 30 - Season Opener at South Carolina, 6 p.m. (CDT)
Saturday, September 6 - Home Opener vs. Louisiana Tech, 7 p.m.
UL Sports information Department
Contact: Darryl Cetnar
Link
Dude needs to give up some football scoop! Where y'at? :confused: