Michael Adams Small player, Big plays
<img src="https://forumeus.com/images/number-02.gif"><blockquote><p align=justify>LOUISIANA La. — There are many times when Michael Adams is the smallest player on the field, but UL Lafayette’s starting right cornerback has a knack for making big plays.
Adams ran 50 yards with a blocked field goal to set up what proved to be the game-winning touchdown in last Saturday’s 14-7 victory over Northwestern State to get the 2004 season off to a flying start.
It was a blocked field goal by Adams in the 2003 opener at South Carolina that was returned for a score by Patrick Lamy in a 14-7 defeat. Somehow, Adams always seems to be around the ball on special teams.
“I have good get-off,” the 5-foot-8, 170-pound Adams said. “I ran track for four years in high school, and I’m thinking about running track here. I’m able to dip my shoulder real good, and I’m kind of small so I’m hard to block.”
Adams blocked six place kicks at Kimball High School in Dallas, so that ability comes naturally.
Cajun cornerbacks coach Clay Jennings is among those who have taken notice.
“When you’ve got to have a blocked kick, he’s the guy you want on the edge,” Jennings said. “He’s one of those quick-twitch guys who can get behind that wall and is explosive off the ball.
“When it’s fourth and three with three seconds left, he’s going to get a block in that situation.”
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Cajun head coach Rickey Bustle is eager to capitalize on that ability. He regularly uses starters on special teams, generally with productive results.
“Every day we go over our special teams,” Adams said. “Wednesday is usually a big day for us. Coach Bustle stresses getting a lot of big plays. He says momentum shifts a lot in special teams situations.”
But the kicking game is just part of Adams’ job. He also has stepped forward on the corner in the Cajuns’ new 4-3 alignment.
“I’ve got a year under my belt now, and that’s made a big difference,” Adams said. “I feel I always had it in me, but I was timid. (Strength) coach (Brad) Ohrt has put 14 pounds on me, so I can come up and tackle and not worry about getting hurt.
“I can just relax and play now.”
“Michael has been a pleasant surprise for us,” Jennings said. “He’s matured a little bit. You can see the confidence he has. He knows what to do and he’s asking more questions.
“The scheme we have this year fits his style of play. He’s reacting to routes and to the ball better. He can see it happen now. It’s a 180-degree turn from last year.
“He feels things out there. The year has really helped him. He has grown physcially, and mentally too. I hope he continues to get better.”
Adams and Terryl Fenton are the starters on the corner, but the Cajuns are loaded with capable secondary defenders.
“They play hard, and they play well together,” Jennings said. “We have six corners who can line up and play, and they all help each other. Also, they help to hold each other accountable. They do a better job of self-governing themselves.”
Adams and his teammates have an added spring to their step after winning that opener for only the second time in the last 14 years at the school.
“Winning makes football a lot more fun, and you like to have fun playing football,” Adams said. “When you lose, it kind of drains your team spirit. When you win, you want to work harder and go get it.”
With players like Adams making big plays, winning could become a habit for the Cajuns.
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Bulldogs Prepare for Louisiana
<blockquote><p align=justify>RUSTON - The biggest concern for Louisiana Tech head coach Jack Bicknell this week is the quick turnaround for his Bulldog football team that has only five days to prepare for this Saturday's contest against UL-Lafayette.
Bicknell and Co. defeated Nevada 38-21 Monday before a national television audience at Joe Aillet Stadium and now sits atop the Western Athletic Conference standings at 1-0.
However, due to the short time between the two games, Bicknell has been unable to rest his team like he would prefer to do.
"No question we are concerned about getting back physically and mentally," Bicknell said. "It's definitely an advantage for UL-Lafayette. However, there is nothing we can do but go back to work and prepare for this weekend. I have been proud of how the guys have responded so far."
Following Monday's game, Bicknell sent his troops out to the practice field for a light one-hour workout Tuesday night before firing on all cylinders against during a two-hour session Wednesday evening.
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"I thought the players came out focused and that we got a lot accomplished tonight," said Bicknell following Wednesday's session. "With such a short week, this was our main practice as far as implementing our game plan for Saturday. We know that we will face a number of challenges this weekend."
UL-Lafayette comes into this weekend's contest 1-0 after defeating Northwestern State 14-7 last Saturday-->
Focus crucial for Louisiana
<blockquote><p align=justify>There shouldn’t be any trouble focusing on this week’s game for Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns.
UL and Louisiana Tech first played football in 1910, and in-state rivalries always command attention.
Coach Rickey Bustle’s team also has vivid memories of the second game last year, when the Bulldogs came to Cajun Field and administered a 34-3 drubbing.
That defeat took the starch out of a crowd of 24,000, and helped take the steam out of the season, too, as UL stumbled to a 0-7 start.
In that game, Tech’s Ralph Davis broke six tackles in a 35-yard touchdown run that forged a 10-0 lead on the way to a 27-3 halftime score.
UL had trouble tackling in the first half last week against Northwestern State, but straightened that out after iintermission for a 14-7 opening victory.
They’d best remember what the second half felt like, because the Bulldogs’ Ryan Moats is coming off a 257-yard rushing effort in Monday’s 38-21 win over Nevada.
Tech has an absolutely mammoth offensive line, weighing in at 305, 317, 300, 375 and 327 pounds. The baby of the group, tight end Aaron Capps, tips the scales at 262.
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What is this? The museum of natural history, paleolithic era?
The Bulldogs line up and dare you to stop them, something Nevada obviously was ill-equipped to do.
“They’ve got a very good team,” said Cajun cornerback Michael Adams. “They have great play calling. They’ve spread out the playbook. They can pass, but they also can run.
“We need to force them out of the running game and make them put the ball in the air. If we do, I feel we can match up with them.”
Adams and his Cajun teammates, bless their hearts, are heading up to Ruston today to prepare for Saturday’s 6 p.m. kickoff.
You can concentrate totally on your game plan in Ruston, one of several quiet little college towns the Cajuns visit this season.
The other hot spots?
Manhattan, Kansas, not to be confused with Fifth Avenue. Las Cruces, N.M., a haven for skin moisturizer salesmen and desert sunsets. Moscow, Idaho, which feels like Russia if you visit late in the season. And Monroe. You know, Monroe.
Sounds like team meeting and early lights out for most 2004 road trips.
The highlight figures to be Miami, Fla., and the Oct. 2 visit to Florida International, although with the terrible luck Florida has had with hurricane season so far we’re not sure what awaits us there.
Wherever you land, though, the idea is to be ready to play football.
The opening win gives Bustle’s staff a chance to build on success. If the Cajuns stay focused, they can so something with it.
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