The Book: 2004 FOOTBALL

<img src="https://forumeus.com/images/number-04.gif"><img src="https://forumeus.com/images/number-01.gif"><i> Used to blocking, Cajun fullback did enjoy 36-yard gallop </i><blockquote><p align=justify>LOUISIANA La. — It’s called the Middle Drill, something every football team does on a regular basis to determine how serious players are about commanding the trenches.

Linemen, running backs and linebackers converge in a limited area, kicking up dust, amping up adrenalin and pumping up the volume.

If the back squeezes through with the ball, it’s a badge of honor.

If not, it’s cause for celebration by the defense.

It’s always a popular part of the day for Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns, whose spirited drill on Tuesday was typical of the mood heading into Saturday’s Sun Belt Conference opener against Middle Tennessee at Cajun Field.

It’s not unusual to find senior fullback Travis Cones mixing it up in the Middle Drill, hurling his 225 pounds into the nearest defensive end or linebacker to clear a path. And, if that contact is maintained 10 yards down the field, so be it.

That’s pretty much Cones’ life with the Cajuns, a blue collar-type assignment devoid of fame and glory.

Every now and then, though, the Navarro Junior College product gets to touch the ball. Last Saturday at Kansas State, Cones rambled for 36 yards on one carry and 11 on another. Since he totalled 31 yards on eight carries in 2003, the KSU game was a breakthrough.

“That felt good, obviously,” Cones said on Tuesday. “I wish I could do it a little more often.”

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Cones knows what to do with the ball after spending his high school days as a productive tailback.

“I had at least 25-30 carries a game, and gained about 1,300 yards on the season,” Cones said. “Of course, I was a little lighter then. I switched from tailback to fullback in junior college.”

At Navarro, Cones helped pave the way for a running game that averaged 396 yards per game, adjusting well to a new role. He also knows how to pass protect, lengthening the football life of quarterback Jerry Babb.

“We’re just glorified offensive linemen,” Cones said of the fullback corps. “All we do is block, so you take pride in what you do. When you get the ball, you’ve got to do what you can.

“But we all want to touch the ball. There aren’t enough balls to go around.”

Usually, tailbacks Dwight Lindon, Chester Johnson, Abdule Levier and Josh Harrison get the carries and Cones gets to stick his facemask into a linebacker’s chest. Especially in the Middle Drill.

“The Middle Drill is a pride thing, for both the offense and the defense,” Cones said. “And, I like it when the defensive coaches jump in the middle of things, yelling.”

Cones and his Cajun teammates got back on the plane last Saturday knowing that they could have had much to yell about with a few more big plays against the Wildcats.

The final score was 40-20, but it was 30-20 with 10 minutes to play. And it could have been with 20-14 at half, but for a missed touchdown pass, or a UL lead but for an untimely fumble.

“We need to work on the little things,” Cones said. “Take care of the ball a little better. That dropped ball was kind of a fluke. I know it’s a one-time thing.

“We were disappointed, because Kansas State is definitely a beatable team. I’ve definitely seen more athletic linebackers. A few plays would have made the game a lot closer.”

The Cajuns’ play at KSU is proof that last year’s strong finish (winning four of their last five games) has carried over.

“We picked up where we left off last year,” Cones said. “This year, even though we played a big team, we definitely did not back down.”

The trick will be carrying that attitude forward into Sun Belt play against Middle Tennessee.

“When we play at home, we have a winning record with our fan support,” Cones said. “It’s my senior year, so it’s my last chance to get a (championship) ring.”

To get that ring, Cones is willing to let others carry the ball while he clears paths or protects passers. Now, if it takes him running the ball or making a key catch out of the backfield, that would be all right, too.

Regardless, he’ll be in the middle of the action, and ready for the Middle Drill.

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<blockquote><p align=justify>MURFREESBORO — MTSU will be without a key player on both sides of the ball when the Blue Raiders travel to Louisiana-Lafayette on Saturday for their Sun Belt Conference opener.

Starting wide receiver Pedro Holiday is out with a left hamstring injury, which he suffered while trying to block a punt in last Saturday's game against Florida Atlantic. Holiday could return the following week against North Texas.

Starting linebacker Jonathan Bonner, the team's second-leading tackler last year, may be lost for the season with a neck injury.

Yesterday, starting tailback Eugene Gross was cleared to practice today and expected to play this week. He suffered a sprained ankle in the first quarter and sat out the remainder of the Florida Atlantic game.

''Hopefully we'll get Pedro back in a week or two. Bonner, it looks like right now, is lost for the season,'' Coach Andy McCollum said. ''We'll find out the extent of his injury in the next day or two. We're glad to be getting Gross and Lee Baker back out there. They're still a little tender but they should be okay.''


Baker, the No. 2 tailback, injured his foot during the Florida Atlantic game but was able to return and play in the fourth quarter.

Losing Bonner was a big blow, but sophomore Marcel Horne did a solid job stepping in last week. He finished as the team's leading tackler with 10 stops, all solos.

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MIKE ORGAN
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Holiday, a senior who had three catches for 56 yards in the opener at Akron, said being sidelined is difficult, but he realizes the injury could have been much worse.

''It's real disappointing because all summer I worked hard on my body, keeping it in good condition and staying healthy and be as strong as I can be,'' Holiday said. ''But something like that is something you really can't control.''

Gross carried the ball only three times and gained 4 yards before his injury. He was dressed in full gear yesterday, but is easing back into action this week.

''I really didn't do anything (yesterday). I was just out there to pick up on the type of scheme (Louisiana-Lafayette) is running and trying to learn what we're going to see,'' Gross said. ''It's only a slight sprain and I'll be able to play.''

Baker worked at full speed yesterday.

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can we get a link to this great info or is it a secret?

1st in the case of MT #3 pass offense....Naaaa! i wouldn't put much stock in that, although they have a good receiver, but i believe in our secondary can get the job done, and if you guys think that the coaches are not seeing to it that our run defense make corrections then you haven't learned much yet considering the improvements. Now! our offense can move and will move the ball, also remember this (and i don't here anyone ever talking about this)teams have to spend alot of time working on defending out special team play especially punt/field goal blocking, and i trust our coaches to have our guys ready to play. WE MUST LEARN TO BELIEVE, "GEAUX CAJUNS." .~.

I am with you on that one oldman.

GEAUX CAJUNS

Sure! Here it is: < http://www.geocities.com/randy_mac_2000/ >

If McCollum has half a brain, they will run it until we show them we can stop them. :(

It is interesting to note that of the 11 D1-A conferences, all but 3 have winning records against OOC opponents this season. The MWC, MAC & SBC have the losing records, with the MWC having an 8-12 record. The MAC (7-29) and the Sunbelt(4-17) have far and away the most losses.

What you'd probably also see is more road games than home games. One thing I don't like about the way D-1 football is evolving is how the power programs and conferences are allowed to load up thier OOC schedules with home games, mainly against non-BCS schools. It's practically impossible for non-BCS schools to gain recognition when they're practically guaranteed a couple of OOC losses.

I think that the NCAA should mandate a balanced schedule, otherwise the non-BCS schools of the world will be forever fighting an uphill battle towards winning records and bowls, and the gap between the haves and have-nots will continue to widen.

Quote:

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Originally posted by KimoSC
It is interesting to note that of the 11 D1-A conferences, all but 3 have winning records against OOC opponents this season. The MWC, MAC & SBC have the losing records, with the MWC having an 8-12 record. The MAC (7-29) and the Sunbelt(4-17) have far and away the most losses.

What you'd probably also see is more road games than home games. One thing I don't like about the way D-1 football is evolving is how the power programs and conferences are allowed to load up thier OOC schedules with home games, mainly against non-BCS schools. It's practically impossible for non-BCS schools to gain recognition when they're practically guaranteed a couple of OOC losses.

I think that the NCAA should mandate a balanced schedule, otherwise the non-BCS schools of the world will be forever fighting an uphill battle towards winning records and bowls, and the gap between the haves and have-nots will continue to widen.

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The teams that will make up the SBC in 2005 have an OOC record of 7-9

That includes wins over the Big-12/'05 CUSA/MAC/WAC

Quote:

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Originally posted by HOTBOUDIN
The teams that will make up the SBC in 2005 have an OOC record of 7-9

That includes wins over the Big-12/'05 CUSA/MAC/WAC

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Very good point. I like to look at the conference as it will be next season. FAU & FIU will help us in more ways than one vs. having Idaho, NMSU and USU.