The Book: 2003 Football

<blockquote><p align=justify>Attended my first practice of the spring and came away very impressed. First impression was how much bigger the team looks compared to last year. Coach Brad Ohrt and the team appear to have been working really hard as the size and strength of the team is greatly improved. Second impression was it was very difficult to figure out who some of the players were as many have changed numbers (for example QB Jerry Babb is now wearing #15 vs. #17 last year) and all the new players both Juco and Redshirts now playing. The following are some of the players who did not practice or were limited in practice: QB Eric Rekieta, OT Demetrios Brooks, DE Antonio Floyd and DB Ricky Thomas.

Really enjoyed meeting Zeebart and talking with him and Crawfish. It was a great day for football practice. Can't wait for 09/06/03 :D

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Originally posted by SwampFox
It was a great day for football practice. Can't wait for 09/06/03 :D

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Ooh wish I could have been there. Your article is very informative, thanks for the info.

<center><p><a href="https://forumeus.com/louisiana/history/rp-football-m.htm">Countdown to 09/06/03</a>

SwampFox, really enjoyed meeting you today.

Great article about todays scrimmage.. Good Job.

Thought it was great seeing ex-players at the scrimmage.

Jonathan Rausch[sp?], Charles Tillman, Bill Delahousaye, and even Jon VanCleve were there today.

Two hours well spent.

Z.

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Originally posted by Zeebart21
Two hours well spent.

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Yes it was. Besides having the pleasure of meeting Z, I also had the pleasure of meeting mickzat and not sure what his handle is here but on Delphi it is RWCAJUN, who gave me the the scoop on Brooks' injury. Hope to make it out to some practices this week and put some names to the numbers I did not know (working on a spring roster) as well as trying to figure out who stands where on the depth chart.

Ditto to everything that has been stated so far. It was a great day for football and an enjoyable afternoon. As always at practice, I met quite a few nice folks as well as seeing several folks I already know. It seems like all of those who are involved in Ragin Cajun football these days are really nice folks. I especially enjoyed the visits I had with the parents of players. If you could watch the scrimmage and not get a feel of anticipation for the real thing in the fall, you are not a football fan. If anyone can come out and watch these scrimmages, I'd advise you to do so and I guarantee you will enjoy it.
:D Fish

<blockquote><p align=justify> LAFAYETTE — A scripted 49-play scrimmage on Saturday afternoon ended the fifth practice of the spring for Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajun football team as coach Rickey Bustle led his team through seven 7-play offense-vs.-defense sets.

The contact drills were the first for the Cajuns this spring.

“I like the effort out there,” Bustle told his team. “We are going to take the film and evaluate it and get better as a team.”

The offense dominated the scrimmage early. Jerry Babb hit Fred Stamps over the middle for a 50-yard touchdown on the first-team offense’s first series against the second team defense.

The first team offense continued to move the ball at will in its second series against the second-team defense. Babb hit Eric Bartel for a 20-yard gain and later connected with Bill Sampy for 21 yards on a third-and-10 play.

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The second-team defense did make some nice plays during its second set against the first-team offense. Julian Harris recovered a Ross Rix fumble, while Chris Morgan nailed running back Josh Harrison for a three-yard loss.

For the second-team offense, Dwight Lindon broke through a big hole for a 15-yard gain, and then Chester Johnson followed with a 10-yard scamper during the first series.

Matt Lane started the second-team offense’s second series with a 13-yard strike to Kemmie Lewis on a third-and-10 play. Harrison ran for eight yards on the next play with the help of excellent blocking from fullback Travis Cones.

Following a sack by Daniel Taylor, Harrison was stopped for no gain by numerous first-team Cajun defenders. The defensive stand on the last play of the fourth set changed the momentum to the defense.

The next series saw the third-team offense lose 14 yards over seven plays to the third-team defense, turning the play over to the first-team offense versus the first-team defense.

The Cajuns continue spring football on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 3:30 p.m. A scripted scrimmage is scheduled for Wednesday’s practice.
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<center><i>Bustle continues rebuilding </i></center><blockquote><p align=justify>LAFAYETTE — Last year was an eye-opening experience for Rickey Bustle, who endured a 3-9 record in his first season as head football coach at Louisiana.

After years as a highly successful offensive assistant coach and coordinator, Bustle got the chance to direct his own program with the Ragin’ Cajuns.

He didn’t grab lightning in a bottle and wow fans with the product on the field in his initial campaign, but success may not be that far away.

“The biggest thing I’ve enjoyed about the first year is our players,” Bustle said. “This is my team now. It’s on me, and that’s how it should be.

“We try to be creative in what we do, and I’m involved in everything we do.”

Bustle and his coaching staff grew through the experience of the 2002 season, and so should be better equipped to deal with similar situations when they crop up in 2003.

“Going into spring, we’re further along as coaches,” Bustle said. “We can move with the knowledge of what we can do, and the players know what to expect from us.

“It’s still a learning deal every day. We’re learning how these players learn, and how to teach them. It’s not important for us to know what we know, as much as it’s important for the players to understand what we’re doing and why we’re doing it.”

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Bruce Brown
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The 12-game 2002 campaign was a difficult one for the Cajuns, with challenging non-conference foes and Hurricane Lili coming the week before the much-awaited game at LSU.

Bustle and his staff had to take a short step back once it was over.

“We got our second wind after a long season,” Bustle said. “That’s a tremendous spark for all of us as coaches.”

The spark was fanned by a successful recruiting campaign that attracted talent from coast to coast.

“I’ve been impressed with the support we’ve gotten from so many people,” Bustle said. “I’m more excited about this job than I was a year ago, and I was excited then.

“People can say they support you, but this community really came out to help us. We couldn’t have done the things we did in recruiting the right way if we hadn’t had their help.

“And, recruiting is the name of the game.”

Further momentum was gained from a successful offseason weight program that got the players ready for better performance in their current spring practices.

“We’ve broken 40 strength records from a year ago,” Bustle said. “I want us to be a bigger, faster team.”

Still another boost to the Cajuns’ self image was a recent pro testing day. Although dampened by rain, it still afforded NFL scouts a chance to work with senior Cajun prospects like Charles Tillman and Ivan Taylor, as well as meet underclassmen.

“I think we had 20 scouts here, and that’s never happened before,” Bustle said. “That was exciting for the kids.

“And, there’s no question these kids feel the support of the students and of the community.”

By the time Louisiana holds its Cajun Bowl spring game at noon on April 12, capping 15 days of spring work, Bustle wants to see more progress so that support can grow exponentially.

With more pieces in place next fall, the Cajuns expect to be better on the field. Either way, the focus will be on Bustle’s growth as a college head coach.

“The buck stops here, and I’m good with that,” Bustle said. “It’s a responsibility I’ve always wanted. With it comes the good and the bad.

“But with the reaction of the kids and the coaches, and of the people who’ve stepped up to support us, it puts fuel on our fire to keep going.”

When the Cajuns do start winning, Louisiana fans will see Bustle really excited. He’s just getting started.
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<blockquote><p align=justify>LAFAYETTE — Louisiana's Ragin’ Cajuns practiced for two hours Monday afternoon, marking their sixth workout of the spring.

Monday’s workout was deemed a big teaching day by the Cajuns coaches.

The staff essentially dissected Saturday’s live work, and then spent most of Monday’s practice reviewing mistakes and making corrections.

“The players were attentive and carried a positive response from our teaching,” said assistant head coach Gary Bartel. “We even added a new defensive scheme to the mix.”

The Cajuns had little time on Monday to see their new defense. Practice called for only one session of the offense versus the defense in a pass skel situation.

“We only had one team period today,” Bartel continued. “We’re looking forwarding to seeing the players in our new defensive scheme in live situations on Wednesday.”

The Cajuns defense finished Saturday’s live work on positive note and will have a chance to enhance their performance during the next two practices.

“We seemed to get stronger and stronger as it went along,” said Bartel. “The offense is going to make some plays and we need to turn around as a defense and make plays. This spring is going as expected.”

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Wednesday’s practice, which starts at 3:35pm on the practice field, will feature live work similar to Saturday’s 49-play effort. The Cajuns will move over to Cajun Field for their live reps beginning at approximately 4:50 p.m.

The Cajuns will run a full controlled scrimmage at Cajun Field on Saturday beginning at 12:30 p.m.
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Did anyone have a chance to see Monday's football practice?

Did'nt get to go Monday, may go Wed. will be out of town Friday and Saturday.

I'll be there tomorrow... I think there's another scrimmage

Hey Mick, I am Don (big fat guy) from the practices. I did not know you lurked on these boards, but it was good to meet you at the practices. I hope I can slip away early from work tommorrow to catch the end of the practice and the mini scrimmage. The offense seems to be improving all of the time. I think most will be pleasantly surprised at some of the wide receivers and running backs. I guess I really have not taken a lot of time to watch the defense too much yet though. It will be interesting to see them (offense and defense) in a full scrimmage situation.
Fish