Offensive line main concern
<blockquote><p align=justify>LOUISIANA La. — In general, Louisiana coach Rickey Bustle has a better feeling about Saturday's 6 p.m. (CDT) season opener at South Carolina than he did before 2002's first test at Texas A&M.
One concern, though, is that his Ragin' Cajuns didn't get enough preseason work for the offensive line.
"I think we're better prepared as coaches and players for the first game,” said Bustle, who was 3-9 in his first year guiding the Cajuns. “The players know a lot more what to expect, and the coaches are much better prepared.
“I feel better about our team and our chances. One thing we’ve stressed this preseason is that we are working to win. You hear the word ‘win’ a lot more around here.”
One key to that quest is cohesion in the offensive line, something that took a hit in early drills when nagging injuries took starters out of the rotation.
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“It has been hard, because we’ve had a lot of injuries,” center Ronnie Harvey acknowledged. “But the older guys have jelled well with the younger guys, and now we have everybody back.
“We had a real good spring, and I think we matured as an offensive line. We had four starters back, and we learned the game more.
“When we had the (preseason) injuries, we spent more time in the film room.”
“That’s something we would do, anyway,” Bustle said. “We always have a lot of time for film work. It’s tough to replace that full-speed work you get in practice.”
Harvey is flanked by left guard Greg Hodges and right guard D’Anthony Batiste, with Demetrios Brooks and Brandon Cox at the tackles. Cox is the newcomer of the group, but the 6-foot-7, 295-pound freshman took part in spring drills and has made progress.
One of the chief responsibilities of that line will be to give starting quarterback Jerry Babb and senior backup Eric Rekieta time to throw.
Babb, a redshirt freshman from St. Thomas More, has been running No. 1 since the spring, when Rekieta was out with elbow surgery. Both should play in the opener.
“Jerry will be our starter at quarterback,” Bustle said. “But I want to be able to play Eric during the game.
“I’m pleased with where Jerry has gotten to. When Eric came back, he was a little rusty. But he has begun to get a feel for things just in the last four or five practices.
“There’s no question that Jerry is our starting quarterback. It’s important for the players to know who their leader is going to be.”
But it can also be beneficial for Babb to have a series or two on the sidelines.
“Sometimes it does give you a chance to look at things on the sidelines, to take a breather,” Bustle said.
The Gamecocks are switching from a “33” to to a 4-3 defense this fall, so Babb and the offense have had little film with which to study the scheme they’ll face.
“They’ve put in a new defense, so it’s a lot harder to prepare,” Bustle said.
“We’ll have to rely on our background on what we’ve seen 4-3 teams do.
“We’ll prepare them for two or three looks, and then be able to adjust during the game.”
Bustle, who celebrated his 50th birthday last Saturday, is adjusting to a flood of ticket requests as he returns to his home state this week.
“I told the players this week (that) I need all the tickets,” Bustle said, only half in jest. “I’m excited about going home.”
Bustle, who played at USC rival Clemson and whose wife has Gamecocks roots, knows what to expect at Williams-Brice Stadium.
“South Carolina has one of the best college atmospheres around,” he said. “I know that place will be rocking.
“We’re looking forward to the challenge. I’m glad it’s a big game.”
CAJUN CLIPPINGS — Comeaux High-ex Dwight Lindon has moved to fullback from running back, a move spurred by an injury to fullback Travis Cones and the emergence of tailback Travis Smothers ... defensive tackle Kendrick Haynes, who injured his right knee in the last full-contact scrimmage last Wednesday, is being re-evaluated ... former New Orleans Saints star George Rogers, who won the Heisman Trophy at South Carolina in 1980, will be an analyst on the regional pay-per-view telecast of the Gamecocks-Cajuns game.
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Brupbacher ready to buck the odds
<blockquote><p align=justify>LOUISIANA La. — Ross Brupbacher knows what fans are thinking.
He knows they don't expect much on most nights when he and his University of Louisiana teammates hit the field.
With no winning season at the school since 1995, it's easy to understand their skepticism, but he also wants to change it.
“I know people are not expecting us to win,” said Brupbacher, just days away from Saturday's season opener at SEC member South Carolina.
“That's what hurts. There's not a lot of confidence in us. They expect us to lose.
“But that also gives us a heightened sense of comraderie. We're all in this together, and we're probably stronger as a team because of it.”
The Cajuns find out soon enough whether they're better than the 2002 team that finished 3-9, but their self-image remains strong.
“We go into every game expecting to win,” Brupbacher said. “I think we match up well with South Carolina. They're a young team with a lot of new starters.
“It’s a good opportunity for us.”
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The Gamecocks finished in a slump in 2002, posting a 5-7 record after starting the season with high hopes and a 5-2 mark.
But the Cajuns have never defeated an SEC team, and they were 0-7 away from Cajun Field last season.
All of that is just so much history for a team whose preseason mantra is “work to win.”
“Our coaches know a lot of their tendencies,” Brupbacher said. “And they've kept up with their (preseason) practices.”
No matter their chances, Brupbacher is eager to step back on the field after being sidelined by injury for most of what he thought would be his senior season in 2002.
“It's been a long time, especially for me, so I'm excited about it,” said
Brupbacher, who has already earned one degree at UL and is working on finishing up another major.
He once again is a vital cog in the Cajuns' attacking defense, an All-Sun Belt Conference choice in 2001 and a member of the ____ Butkus Award watch list last preseason.
He's in a defense that suits a defender's personality.
“No matter what offense we're up against, we try to be dominant, basically,” Brupbacher said. “There are definite advantages to it, if we execute it properly.”
With Charles Tillman and Ivan Taylor gone to the NFL, the Cajun secondary will feature new faces in 2003, but the line and linebackers won't be toning down their style worrying about the defensive backs' execution.
“I've been impressed with the young cornerbacks, and with some of the junior college guys we've brought in,” Brupbacher said. “I've been pleasantly surprised.”
It would be a surprise to many pessimists if the Cajuns get back on the winning track. If they do, though, count Ross Brupbacher among those who said it could be done.
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Re: Brupbacher ready to buck the odds
Quote:
Originally posted by NewsCopy
“But that also gives us a heightened sense of comraderie. We're all in this together, and we're probably stronger as a team because of it.”
My wife works at Academy and one of the Cajun players (don't know which one) came in this week and as he was checking out looked over and saw a Saints trash can and one from "that other school" and asked her if they had any UL trash cans. She said "no I wish we did." He replied "they will have some after we have a winning season this year." I think they our guys are on the right track and have the right attitude :cool:
Rickey Bustle’s pre USC game Press Conference
<blockquote><b><center>Monday, August 25, 2003</center></b><p align=justify>“We are tired of looking at each other. We’re ready to play. We’ve had a good preseason camp and now we’re ready to play in one of the best college atmospheres around. They have great fans and that place will be rocking and I think our players are looking forward to this challenge. I’m glad it’s a big ball game because that’s the way we treat them all. There is no question that we’ve worked hard.”
“I’m pleased with where we are for the moment. I wish our offensive line had more time to practice together. Our biggest concern is that we have had someone different in there almost every week. I think that it is important that they work together. Nothing can take the place of them working together. The good side of it is that all of our guys have played except for Brandon Cox, but he was here in the spring. That’s something we hope helps us.”
<b>On the QB situation-</b>
“Jerry Babb is our starting quarterback and I want to be able to play Eric (Rekieta) during the game. I’m not going to say that it will be some definitive time. I’m really not a proponent of playing two quarterbacks, but I had a feeling this situation may come up. I’ve been pleased with where Jerry (Babb) is. Eric started out a little rusty, which is understandable being that he missed spring practice, but he began to get a better feel for things in the last four or five practices. Jerry is our starting quarterback. He and the players know that, but I do feel that Eric brings a lot to the table. I think he needs to be able to play some. Eric and Jerry understand what we are doing. It’s not because anyone’s been playing poorly. Both of them deserve a chance. The biggest thing for us is our players needing to know who our leader will be.”
<b>On SC’s Defense-</b>
“South Carolina implemented a new defense that has made it a little hard to prepare for being that you’re not exactly sure of what they are going to do and you don’t have any film to make you feel like you know. They were a 3-3 defense last year, completely different than what they’re doing now. We do know that they switched to the 4-3 defense and we’ll have to rely on our background and what we’ve seen other teams who run the same system do in order to prepare our offense. The key there is to prepare them for two or three looks and familiarize ourselves with blocking schemes and pass protection, and then we adjust at the game.”
<b>On SC’s offense-</b>
“They’ve been changing offensively themselves. When Coach Holtz is running the offense its one thing and when Skip is running it he does another. I’m sure they’ll have some new wrinkles for us as we do them.”
<b>On his South Carolina homecoming-</b>
“No one knew who I was; I was a nobody when I played for Clemson. When I went there (Columbia, SC) to coach, the fact that I played for Clemson never was an issue. But, the rivalry is big in that state. South Carolina has a lot of great fans and I have a lot of great friends and family there. It’s amazing all the people that are calling me for tickets. Some are South Carolina fans, but they’re (SC fans) not getting any from me. I’m excited about going home to South Carolina. I grew up there. My brother lives in Columbia. My wife is from Columbia and a lot of her family still lives there, but on Saturday, they’ll be rooting for the Ragin Cajuns.”
<b>On this year’s season opener-</b>
“I think we’re better prepared for this year’s opener as compared to last season. That’s probably the biggest difference to me. Our players are better prepared. As coaches, I feel like we are better prepared. I feel better about our football team. I think anything can happen on any given day. I’ve always believed that.
<b>On the mental aspect of the game-</b>
“It’s something that you do every day. We talk about working to win and thinking about winning. Now that we have a better feel for our players, we want to talk about winning and doing things the right way in order to win. The word ‘win’ has come up a lot more in this preseason with both coaches and players.”</blockquote><i>Source: <b>LOUISIANA SI
Bustle says Louisiana closing gap
<blockquote><p align=justify>LOUISIANA La. -- University of Louisiana football coach Rickey Bustle had just concluded his final team meeting of the 2002 season, thanked his senior class for their contributions and then asked them to leave the room.
What Bustle was left with were the remains of his first season -- a group of 46 scholarship players or nearly 40 fewer than the NCAA's limit for Division I programs.
It only heightened the plight of Bustle, whose 3-9 record in 2002 added to a school-record stretch of seven straight losing seasons.
"It was scary," Bustle said. "But you look at it as a positive. It was a good nucleus. But that's where it was and we're still short. Even after next year I still won't get 85, but I'll be closer."
Low numbers and morale among players, along with apathy from fans, were just part of the equation Bustle had to solve in his quest to turn around UL-Lafayette's moribund football program.
The challenge will continue this season for the Ragin' Cajuns, who return 37 letter-winners and 12 starters to face another ambitious nonconference schedule and ever-improving Sun Belt Conference.
Senior defensive lineman Derace James of Patterson has set definitive goals for this season.
"I believe everyone's going out more determined," James said. "We're looking to have a good season ... we've improved over last year. Make no mistake about it ... we want to win the conference."
The source of Louisiana's optimism is centered on the recruiting efforts of Bustle and his coaching staff. To offset their disturbingly low roster numbers, the Ragin' Cajuns signed 32 players during the recruiting period -- including 11 from the junior college ranks that figure to see immediate playing time.
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"Having depth, quality depth is what we're working to," said Bustle, who also placed seven walk-ons from a year ago on scholarship. "We made a big jump from where we were to where we are today with some personnel. Without a doubt it was critical."
The additional help has provided a noticeable difference.
"I think you'll see a better performance from us because we have more depth and more competition at positions," said senior defensive end Antonio Floyd of West Feliciana High. "Everyone has to pick up their game a step higher if they want to hold on to their position or if they want to gain a position."
Floyd (6-foot-1, 237 pounds) and James (6-3, 255), who both recorded 39 tackles a year ago, are two familiar returning faces on a defense that has four starters back after losing its top two players -- defensive backs Charles Tillman and Ivan Taylor to the NFL.
Senior linebacker Ross Brupbacher (6-1, 231), who entered the 2002 season on the Butkus Award watch list, was awarded a sixth year of eligibility after suffering a serious ankle injury against Houston in the third game of the season.
How will ULL fare in the 2003 season?
Win Sun Belt title, earn bowl bid
Winning season
Competitive, but still a losing team
Season of disastrous W-L mark
"We're a better defense now than since we've been here," said UL-Lafayette defensive coordinator Brent Pry, whose unit allowed nearly 30 points and 380 yards per game a year ago.
Senior rover Jamal Smith (5-9, 200) and sophomore linebacker Stanley Smith (6-1, 234) are the Cajuns' leading returning tacklers. Jamal Smith registered 51 tackles and two interceptions, while Stanley Smith had 49 stops.
Junior college signees George Benson (6-3, 290) and Kendrick Haynes (6-4, 280) -- defensive tackles -- give ULL increased size and strength up front.
Former Belaire High standout Wendell Williams (6-2, 215, Jr.) moved from running back to free safety in the spring and will split time with junior college signee David Prater (5-11, 205).
"I think I can bring more speed to the defense," said Williams, whose career highlight was last year's 18-yard blocked punt return for a touchdown against Arkansas. "It wasn't a big change for me because I played it in high school and I love to play it."
The complexion of UL-Lafayette's offense will have a different element with redshirt freshman Jerry Babb (6-3, 215) taking over for three-year starter Jon Van Cleave, who opted not to return for his senior season. Babb will provide a more athletic and mobile look over the traditional pocket passing presence of Van Cleave, the school's third leading passer with 5,269 yards.
Senior Eric Rekieta, who completed 65 of 113 passes for 652 yards and four touchdowns will back up Babb. He returns after successful Tommy John surgery.
"Jerry has gotten better and that's one thing we wanted to make sure that happened," Bustle said. "Eric's out there competing. It's a healthy, competitive situation."
The Cajuns ability to pass and take advantage of senior All-Sun Belt wide receiver Frederick Stamps' ability to stretch defenses will hinge on the team's ability to run the ball better than its 61.2 yards-per-game average last season.
Stamps (6-0, 184) led the team with 54 catches for 1,002 yards and eight touchdowns.
Bustle said that junior Dwight Lindon (5-9, 210), sophomore Chester Johnson (5-10, 205) or redshirt freshman Josh Harrison (5-7, 175) will share time with Christian Life graduate Ross Rix (5-9, 205, freshman) moving to fullback. Johnson's the leading returning rusher with 53 carries for 164 yards.
UL-Lafayette also returns both of its specialists -- senior punter Grant Autrey who averaged 39.8 yards per punt and sophomore place-kicker Sean Comiskey, the team's second leading scorer with 47 points.
UL-Lafayette was the Sun Belt's least penalized team a year after leading the conference in the same category -- something Bustle wants to build on this season. He would also like to continue the Cajuns' reputation for blocking kicks after ranking nationally in that specialty last year.
"We're going to have an improved football team," Bustle said. "I know we're going to be better. I think we've closed the gap. Have we closed it all the way? The fact that we've closed the gap is the big thing."
FAST FACTS
Coach: Rickey Bustle
Record: 3-9, 2nd season
Location: Lafayette
Stadium: Cajun Field
2002 Record: 3-9 (2-4 in Sun Belt)
Primary Offense: Multiple
Primary Defense: Multiple 8-man fronts
Starters returning: 12 (5 offense, 4 defense, 3 specialists)
Lettermen returning: 37 (15 offense, 19 defense, 3 specialists)
Key players returning: WR Frederick Stamps, TE Josh Joerg, DL Antonio Floyd, DL Derace James, LB Stanley Smith, LB Ross Brupbacher, S Jamal Smith
Radio: KPEL (1420 AM)
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Cajuns concern South Carolina’s Holtz
<blockquote><p align=justify>LOUISIANA La. — Lou Holtz has earned a reputation as a doom-and-gloom coach in stops at North Carolina State, Arkansas, Notre Dame and now South Carolina.
If there’s something to fret about before a game, Holtz has it covered.
Whether it’s gamesmanship or a character trait, that worrisome demeanor is a Holtz trademark.
The Gamecocks are heavy favorites for Saturday’s season opener against Louisiana — more than 30 points by some estimations — yet Holtz knows the Ragin’ Cajuns of coach Rickey Bustle have their plusses.
“They blocked seven kicks last year,” Holtz said Wednesday of the Cajuns, who used a pair of blocked punts to shake Arkansas in a 24-17 near-miss in 2002.
“They also have a 26-year-old deep snapper (Justin Venable, who’s actually 23). I have a great deal of admiration for that young man, for the way he’s still playing after all the injuries he’s had.
“They have their punter (Grant Autrey) and place kicker (Sean Comiskey) back. Their place kicker is excellent. He made a 51-yard field goal, and only had two misses under 40 yards last year.
“Their special teams are a concern in this game.”
Not surprisingly, Holtz isn’t as impressed with his own kicking game.
Neither Daniel Weaver nor Stephen Stellfox has gained an edge at place kicker, while Josh Brown is back at punter.
“Our place kicker is completely untested,” Holtz said. “We’ve been very inconsistent on both field goals and extra points.”
Also, Holtz said, “we don’t block many punts, and our return men are new.”
Of course, the Gamecocks’ cupboard is far from bare.
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Beefy quarterback Dondrial Pinkins (6-foot-2, 245 pounds) hit 32-of-65 passes for 432 yards and a pair of scores in 2002, and he’s sure to test a rebuilt Cajun secondary with sophomore deep threat Troy Williamson (28.9 yards per catch) on Saturday.
There’s also freshman running back Demetris Summers, listed second at tailback behind sophomore Kenny Irons but sure to force his way onto the field before long.
“Demetris has certainly raised the level of competition in the backfield,” Holtz said. “The running back situation has improved tremendously since he’s gotten here. The others have had to raise their level of play.
“I feel very solid about our running back situation.”
South Carolina’s defense, moving to a 4-3 look this season, has been hampered by injuries to linebackers Orus Lambert and Ricardo Hurley.
“Those injuries have really set us back,” Holtz said. “We’ve continued to work hard, but we continue to make mistakes. We also have two new safeties (Rodriques Wilson, Jamacia Jackson) who’ve never played in the secondary before, so you just can’t tell.”
But defensive end Charles Silas recently got eligibility questions cleared up and resumed practice on Wednesday.
“He’s missed a few days of practice,” Holtz said, “but he could possibly play on Saturday.”
After a solid 5-2 start in 2002, the Gamecocks stumbled home with five straight defeats and a 5-7 finish. They need a solid opener against the Cajuns to get ready for their Week Two battle against No. 18 Virginia.
Holtz is in his 32nd year of coaching, his fifth in Columbia. He knows how to keep his team on edge, especially when it’s favored to win.
Bustle’s Cajuns would like to make his worries come true.
Of course, the Gamecocks’ cupboard is far from bare.
Beefy quarterback Dondrial Pinkins (6-foot-2, 245 pounds) hit 32-of-65 passes for 432 yards and a pair of scores in 2002, and he’s sure to test a rebuilt Cajun secondary with sophomore deep threat Troy Williamson (28.9 yards per catch) on Saturday.
There’s also freshman running back Demetris Summers, listed second at tailback behind sophomore Kenny Irons but sure to force his way onto the field before long.
“Demetris has certainly raised the level of competition in the backfield,” Holtz said. “The running back situation has improved tremendously since he’s gotten here. The others have had to raise their level of play.
“I feel very solid about our running back situation.”
South Carolina’s defense, moving to a 4-3 look this season, has been hampered by injuries to linebackers Orus Lambert and Ricardo Hurley.
“Those injuries have really set us back,” Holtz said. “We’ve continued to work hard, but we continue to make mistakes. We also have two new safeties (Rodriques Wilson, Jamacia Jackson) who’ve never played in the secondary before, so you just can’t tell.”
But defensive end Charles Silas recently got eligibility questions cleared up and resumed practice on Wednesday.
“He’s missed a few days of practice,” Holtz said, “but he could possibly play on Saturday.”
After a solid 5-2 start in 2002, the Gamecocks stumbled home with five straight defeats and a 5-7 finish. They need a solid opener against the Cajuns to get ready for their Week Two battle against No. 18 Virginia.
Holtz is in his 32nd year of coaching, his fifth in Columbia. He knows how to keep his team on edge, especially when it’s favored to win.
Bustle’s Cajuns would like to make his worries come true.
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Bustle looks foward to homecoming
<blockquote><p align=justify>SOUTH CAROLINA - Rickey Bustle has seen college football's best, having tutored Michael Vick as Virginia Tech's offensive coordinator.
He has seen the sport's worst, like in 1978 when as a Clemson graduate assistant he was at Jacksonville's Gator Bowl when Woody Hayes' glorious Ohio State coaching career ended when he punched a Clemson linebacker.
These days, the Clemson graduate and former South Carolina assistant is seeing a little bit of both.
The 50-year-old Bustle begins his second season as Louisiana's head coach when the Ragin' Cajuns play USC at Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday.
The Sun Belt Conference program Bustle inherited ranks among the worst in Division I-A, having gone 3-9 in his first season. But, after 25 seasons as an assistant coach for seven different teams, the former Summerville High School quarterback is enjoying having a team of his own to run.
"It's a program that was down and we're doing a lot of great things," Bustle said. "I spoke around 70 times last year at different places in Louisiana. People are buying season tickets again. Just getting the people back out is a big part of your job."
It's a job Bustle had plenty of experience before jumping into.
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At Summerville, he played for legandary coach John McKissick, who still coaches at Summerville and still keeps in touch with Bustle.
"Rickey was one of the best all-around atheltes that I remember in my coaching career," McKissick said. "He could play any sport. He was good at baseball. He played shortstop. He was on the basketball team and he played quarterback for Summerville. If he wanted to play badminton he could beat you. If he wanted to play golf he could beat you."
Bustle played college football at Clemson, where he was a three-time letterman as a wide receiver.
When his playing career ended in 1976, he became a graduate assistant for the Tigers under Charley Pell and Danny Ford.
Bustle made stops at Gardner-Webb, East Carolina, Northeast Louisiana (now Louisiana-Monroe) and the United States Football League's Arizona Wranglers before hooking up with Frank Beamer at Virginia Tech in 1987.
He values the time he spent helping Beamer build the Hokie program up from mediocrity from 1987-93.
"Sometimes coaches get jobs where things had already happened," Bustle said. "We were doing things at Virginia Tech for the first time. Being a part of building a program was a great experience for me. Being right there when times are bad, then all of the sudden you're playing in bowl games and playing for national championships."
From 1987 until becoming Louisiana-Lafayette's head coach in 2002, Bustle spent all but one season at Virginia Tech. The only exception was his season at USC as offensive coordinator in 1994, when the Gamecocks went 7-5 and won the Carquest Bowl to give USC its first bowl win.
Memories of that season will come flooding back to Bustle when he returns to the Williams-Brice Stadium sideline this Saturday.
"I remember there were just great people," Bustle said. "Having a good year and being part of the first bowl win was exciting. But those are great college fans. And it was special coaching in your home state. Everywhere you went to recruit, you knew somebody. But the big thing was the great fans and great support they gave the university and our football program."
To help then-head coach Brad Scott deliver that landmark bowl win, Bustle's job was to point quarterback Steve Taneyhill in the right direction. It wasn't always easy.
"The relationships are the most positive thing about that year, but especially with Steve, who was a stallion in his own way," Bustle said. "It was one of those that started off rough but we got really close. We grew to trust each other."
In the end, Taneyhill completed 64 percent of his passes for 2,486 yards. The Gamecocks clinched their bowl trip with a 33-7 win at Clemson.
Taneyhill was the most valuable player in the Carquest Bowl, throwing for 227 yards and a touchdown while running for another score in the 24-21 win over West Virginia.
"He did a great job relating with Steve and Steve bought into coach Bustle's way of thinking," Scott said. "They had a great coach-player relationship."
Bustle's relationship with Beamer drew him back to Virginia Tech in 1995 as quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator where he coached an even greater talent in Michael Vick.
In 1999, the Hokies averaged 41.4 points a game with Bustle calling plays and Vick executing them perfectly. Only a loss to Florida State in the BCS title game at the Sugar Bowl kept them from a national championship.
Back in Summerville, the nation's all-time winningest high school coach made sure to listen when his former quarterback came to visit.
"Since was offensive coordinator at Virginia Tech," John McKissick said, "he's given me more advice than I've given him."
Finally, Bustle got an opportunity to be a head coach at Louisiana-Lafayette, a program that hasn't posted a winning season since 1995 when the school was known as Southwestern Louisiana.
"It was a goal of mine ever since I started," Bustle said. "You don't know where that's going to take you."
Louisiana-Lafayette's three wins last season under Bustle tied for the most since 1996. It drew an average of 15,056 to its 31,000-seat Cajun Field.
And the Cajuns carry a 45-game losing streak against Southeastern Conference opponents into Saturday's game.
Yet McKissick has confidence in his former player.
"He's got a challenging job because that program got really run down," McKissick said. "Playing against Division I schools, you're not going to bring it back up in one year. But he has the knowledge and perseverance to stick with it and get it done."
In the weeks leading up to this year's season opener, Bustle has been busy getting tickets while game planning. He'll have 50 friends and family members in attendance Saturday night and a pregame tailgate party is planned.
He is looking forward to visiting with his mother, Barbara Bustle, who still lives in Summerville, and a brother who lives in Columbia.
All the while, he'll try to get Louisiana-Lafayette's program back where it was nearly a decade ago, when the Ragin Cajuns went 8-3 in 1994.
"He's been to the big time," Scott said. "He's proven. He'll do a good job there and you'll see him involved with even bigger jobs down the line."
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