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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Bruce Brown
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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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