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I truly, truly fail to see the point of you posting a message that is clearly intended merely to inflame the tempers of others, make them dislike you intensely, and just, in general, put a bad taste in our mouths about the fans of your particular university. If tasteless and classless was what you were shooting for with your post, let me be the first to salute you. You hit the bullseye on that one, chief.
YEAH!! What she said!
Yeah what he said about what she said.;)
<blockquote><p align=justify>LOUISIANA La. -- The University of Louisiana returns to Cajun Field this week and no one is happier about that than Rickey Bustle.
"We're very glad to be coming home, finally," Bustle said Sunday. "Hopefully we'll have a good crowd on hand to support us. It's a chance for us to show our fans we haven't given up.
"It's been a long, hard road."
That it has been.
The Cajuns (0-6) lost at Oklahoma State Saturday night, 56-3, to go 0-for-3 on their mid-season road swing through Minnesota, Texas and Oklahoma.
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By GLENN QUEBEDEAUX
Special to The Advocate <!--
Tack on a season-opening loss at South Carolina and the Cajuns are 0-4 on the road this fall and still looking for their first road victory under their second-year coach.
"Every team that we've played so far (road and home) has been playing at the top of their game and playing well," said Bustle, who maintains a positive attitude through it all. "Someone was trying to figure out today what the records were of the teams we've played and it was impressive."
The combined record of opponents played by the Cajuns thus far is 21-10, topped by No. 17 ranked Minnesota at 6-0 and Oklahoma State and Houston at 4-1. South Carolina is 3-2.
"Playing teams like that, we would have to play a perfect game and we haven't been able to do that," Bustle said.
Such was the case once again Saturday night against Oklahoma State, a team the Cajuns surprised early in grabbing a 3-0 lead after one quarter. The lead could have been larger had it not been for squandered opportunities.
"We just didn't take care of our opportunities early," said Bustle, who watched his Cajuns miss an early field goal and then turn the ball over deep in OSU territory before finally getting a 40-yard field goal from Sean Comiskey.
Quarterback Eric Rekieta also overthrew a wide-open Fred Stamps in the quarter, a play that could have put the Cajuns up 10-0.
"If we could have done something with those opportunities early, we maybe could have gotten momentum on our side and things would have been a little different. Even if we could have gone in at the half down 14-3 or 21-3, but....
"We just let momentum slip away from us."
The Cowboys, prepping for their Big 12 showdown with No. 22 Kansas State this weekend, took charge in the second quarter, scoring 28 points for a 28-3 lead. A 68-yard run by Vernan Morency and a 78-yard punt return by Darrent Williams sparked the explosion and snuffed the Cajuns' hopes.
Williams also returned a punt 59 yards for a touchdown in a 14-point third quarter and the Cowboys finished the night with an additional 14 points in the fourth period.
"That's done," said Bustle, preferring to look ahead and not behind. "Now we're coming home and, honestly, we have a chance to be in every game from here on out."
The Cajuns play four of their remaining six games at home, starting Saturday with the University of Louisiana at Monroe. That begins a three-game home stretch in October which includes a regionally-televised game against New Mexico State on Oct. 16 and a home date Oct. 25 against Idaho. The Cajuns' final home game is Nov. 8 against Florida International.
"We're glad to be back in our conference," said Bustle. "Monroe obviously played well Saturday (44-41 loss to Arkansas State) and maybe they're hitting their stride.
"Hopefully, we'll hit ours this week. We lost a few players the other night, so we'll have to have somebody step up for those players who'll be missing. We're looking forward to it, though. I think the guys are ready to play at home again. I know I am."
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<blockquote><p align=justify><b>Cajuns ready for softer part of schedule </b>
LOUISIANA La. -- University of Louisiana football coach Rickey Bustle thinks everyone should be a head football coach. For two weeks, anyway.
"Not one week, two weeks," Bustle joked Monday at his weekly news conference. "So they can go to that quarterback club (one week) and tell them what you're gonna do and then go back to that quarterback club (the following week) and tell them why you haven't done it."
That has been one of Bustle's difficult tasks the last six weeks as his University of Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns have gotten off to an 0-6 start.
"I haven't got any questions that I probably didn't already cover because I don't hold any punches about the way we play," Bustle said. "If we make mistakes, we make mistakes. I'm not going to point a finger at somebody even though I know who made it (mistake)."
The fact that the Cajuns are winless is not that surprising. One look at their schedule through six games tells the story.
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By GLENN QUEBEDEAUX
Special to The Advocate <!--
According to the NCAA, the Cajuns' schedule through the first half of the season ranks as the 20th toughest schedule in the nation. The Cajuns' first six opponents are a combined 21-10 (.677), topped off by No. 17-ranked Minnesota's 6-0 record.
"There's no question that if we would have won one of those games, it would have been an upset," said Bustle, whose team was blistered by Oklahoma State, 56-3, Saturday. "We're all disappointed that we didn't get one, sure.
"(But) if you would have had to bet your next paycheck on which one you were guaranteeing that we were going to win, no one would have bet on it. We didn't know who it would be if it would be one," Bustle said.
"We were hoping it might be one, it might be two. It is disappointing. We've been in a couple of games and we've been outmatched in a couple of games.
"The hard part is getting confidence on this football team when you're not winning."
The schedule is much kinder to the Cajuns over the final half of the season.
Unlike the first six games, the last six games represent an opportunity against competition more on the Cajuns' level. The last six represent a schedule that ranks as the 116th toughest or second easiest in college football.
That schedule begins Saturday, when the Cajuns celebrate homecoming against the University of Louisiana at Monroe (0-6).
"I'll say this, these six football games are games we can win," Bustle said.
"There's a chance of us doing that and that's tough for anyone to do. But if we can go 0-6, we can go the other way, too.
"It's a matter of taking care of our business and not making mistakes and giving up the big plays. And if we do that, I'll take whatever comes."
Bustle said he was recently told by a supporter that, perhaps, Bustle was "too nice a guy."
"I told him, you can't beat these kids down; you've got to pull them along and show them there's some light at the end of the tunnel," Bustle said.
"I know there's frustration out there; I didn't come in on the last boat. I know some are impatient and I know some are understanding. I just hope we have a good crowd out there for homecoming Saturday so we can show folks we are doing the right things."
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<blockquote><p align=justify>LOUISIANA La. — We’ve all heard the phrase, “Tough times don’t last, but tough people do.”
Louisiana's Ragin’ Cajuns are testing that theory.
They’re trying to survive tough times long enough to see their rewards, but each defeat adds weight to their burden.
At 0-6 overall and 0-2 in Sun Belt Conference play, the Cajuns are almost certain to post their eighth straight losing season and are out of the running for a Sun Belt title.
What’s left is a team still learning while rebuilding a program’s pride.
Last week at Oklahoma State, UL outgained the Cowboys 131-33 in the first quarter but only led 3-0 after blowing scoring opportunities. Properly awakened, OSU rolled to a 56-3 win.
“When the offense moves the ball, and does it every time, it gives us more confidence,” defensive end Tony Hills said on Monday. “They were pinning them deep, and that gives us a chance to get safeties.”
As much as anything, that reflects the hope that can only be harbored by a redshirt freshman.
Instead of bemoaning a lost scoring chance, Hills was licking his chops, thinking of a score by the defense.
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Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com
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But OSU broke a long run and a punt return in the second period, turning a 14-3 lead into a 28-3 hole, and the evening was decided.
“That’s all part of the game,” Hills said of the quick change in momentum. “The defense started out giving a good showing, but they exploited us and we gave them a couple of cheap touchdowns.
“We just had to try to do better in the second half. The effort was definitely there, but we had a couple of blown assignments.”
This week’s homecoming matchup with Sun Belt foe UL Monroe could help the Cajuns get back on track, but only if they remain focused.
“It will be good to get back to a schedule like this,” Hills said. “We’ve played some of the top teams in the nation, and we’ve really contended in parts of those games.
“That’s our motivation against teams that are better that we’re matched up against.”
As for ULm, the 0-6 Indians got the Cajuns’ attention by scoring 41 points in last week’s 44-41 loss to Arkansas State. But, without that score, UL Monroe averages 12 points per game.
“One of our defensive goals is to hold teams under 13 points, so that works,” said Hills, who isn’t likely to get caught up in homecoming festivities this week.
“Homecoming is more for the fans,” Hills said. “It’s another game for us. We’re preparing for a victory.”
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<blockquote><p align=justify>LOUISIANA La. — Fans who have grown weary of seeing UL hammered by a grinding schedule may view the upcoming homecoming game with Sun Belt Conference rival UL Monroe as a relief.
That may not be such a good idea.
It’s true that both squads are 0-6 overall and 0-2 in SBC play, and that the Ragin’ Cajuns and Indians seem well-matched.
But last season, one week after a near-upset of SEC member Arkansas, coach Rickey Bustle’s flat team was ambushed 34-10 by ULM in the 2002 season finale.
That memory should keep the Cajuns focused this week.
“Last year when we played them, we didn’t have any fight to us,” Bustle said Monday. “They were the better football team that night, and they got out there and whipped us.
“Both of us need a win, and there’s no question they think they can come in here and win.”
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Bruce Brown
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The Cajuns are still reeling from a 56-3 road loss at Oklahoma State, the latest stop in a six-game chamber of horrors that could sap the resolve of many teams.
They certainly don’t need to be taking anyone lightly.
“In those first six games, if we’d won one, it would have been an upset,” Bustle said. “We had hoped there might be one or two wins in there. We’ve been in a couple of games, and been outmatched in a couple.
“But, it hasn’t affected the way we practice. Last Wednesday in the middle drill, you’d have thought we were 5-0 from the way they were hooping and hollering. That’s what they know how to do.
“A lot of times, you work hard and it doesn’t pay off. But that’s the only chance you’ve got.”
The Cajuns have a legitimate chance to beat ULM, New Mexico State, Idaho, Florida International and Middle Tennessee, with only the Nov. 1 trip to Southern Miss a likely mismatch.
“If we can go 0-6, we can go the other way, too,” Bustle said.
It would help if the Cajuns would stop getting injured.
Already short-handed in the secondary, they lost cornerback Ricky Thomas to a broken foot at OSU. Also, offensive guard D’Anthony Batiste limped out of action with a knee strain.
JC transfer Antwain Spann and freshman Michael Adams are ticketed to start on the corner at the moment, backed by sophomore Terryl Fenton and freshman Jarrett Jones.
“Thank goodness you only play two (corners) at a time,” Bustle said. “We’ve got two of them. I don’t know if we’ll get Jerrell Carter back this week or not.
“Jarrett was recruited as a cornerback and we’ve had him at strong safety. This gives him the opportunity to play what he was recruited to play.
“We try to approach it in a positive way, try to develop the ones we do have to play well. You have to think someone’s waiting for that opportunity.”
The loss of Batiste cost the Cajuns possibly their most consistent lineman against an Oklahoma State defense loaded with speed, and the Cajun offense struggled as a result.
The offensive line is one area that will be addressed with junior college signees in 2004, just as the defense was targeted for JC talent this year.
For now, Bustle’s staff keeps working with the talent on hand to try to land that first victory.
ULM came close to winning last week, losing 44-41 at Arkansas State despite over 500 yards of offense behind SBC leading rusher Kevin Payne, quarterback Steven Jyles and receiver Mack Vincent.
“I was impressed with the way they moved the ball at Arkansas State,” Bustle said. “They had over 500 yards of offense ... we haven’t had that in two games.
“It looks like they’re starting to hit their stride a little bit, like they’ve found some schemes that work for their team.”
Just what the Bustle needed — another hungry team that’s figuring out its puzzle just in time to play his Cajuns.
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So far I have read 11th, 20th, and 33rd.Quote:
Quote of Glenn Quebedeaux
"According to the NCAA, the Cajuns' schedule through the first half of the season ranks as the 20th toughest schedule in the nation. The Cajuns' first six opponents are a combined 21-10 (.677)
(without doing any research) All I know/recall is it has been the strongest first half to a Ragin' Cajun season ever.
I didn't hear most of the game but it seemed UL played fairly even with OSU in that first quarter. Is the team maybe wearing out as the game progresses? Hopefully they'll have their wind & play hard the whole game.
GEAUX CAJUNS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Make an Injun sauce piquante!!!!!
I agree the first six games of our schedule do show our record however our record should not show 0-6 we are a better team than what the record shows but that is the past and is neither her nor there we have a 6 game schedule left and all we need to focus on is one weeek at a time and not think ahead to the following week.
<blockquote><p align=justify>LOUISIANA La. – Each week Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns football coaching staff honors players for their individual effort in game performances. The University of Louisiana coaching staff would like to thank Hooters for sponsoring the Cajuns weekly and spring football awards.
This week, senior wide receiver Fred Stamps was named Hooters Offensive Player of the Game. Stamps caught five receptions for a team-high 118 yards. It was eighth 100-yard game of his career and he extended his streak to 38 consecutive games with at least one reception, which is fourth-best in the nation. Daniel Taylor was named Hooters Defensive Player of the Game. Taylor had one tackle, one assisted tackle, two quarterback hurries and went the extra mile once.
Place kicker Sean Comiskey was named the Hooters Special Forces Player of the Game for the second week in a row.
Jordan Jackson and Julian Harris were named Offensive and Defensive Scout Team Players of the Week, respectively. It was the second time in three weeks that Jackson was given the award.
Per player vote, Josh Joerg was given the Thumper Award given for the biggest hit on offense, while C.C. Brown received the Hammer Award for the biggest hit on defense. Wendell Williams received the Kuhuna Award for the biggest hit on special teams.
Stamps and Wayne Stein will serve as offensive captains for the Cajuns next week, while Taylor and Pat Lamy will serve as defensive captains. Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns football team hosts Louisiana-Monroe for Homecoming on Saturday at 4 p.m. at Cajun Field.
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<b>PREVIOUS HOOTERS WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS</b>
<b>Offensive Player of the Game</b>
South Carolina - Travis Smothers
Louisiana Tech - No Award Given
Houston - Ronnie Harvey
Minnesota - Erik Rekieta
North Texas - Josh Joerg
Oklahoma State - Fred Stamps
<b>Defensive Player of the Game</b>
South Carolina - Pat Lamy
Louisiana Tech - Ross Brupbacher
Houston - Antonio Floyd
Minnesota - No Award Given
North Texas - C.C. Brown
Oklahoma State - Daniel Taylor
<b>Special Forces Player of the Game</b>
South Carolina - Michael Adams
Louisiana Tech - Sean Comiskey
Houston - Grant Autrey
Minnesota - Eric Bartel
North Texas - Sean Comiskey
Oklahoma State - Sean Comiskey
<b>Offensive Scout Team Player</b>
South Carolina - Butch Roussel
Louisiana Tech - Mike Moore
Houston - Bruce Taylor
Minnesota - Bruce Taylor
North Texas - Jordan Jackson
Oklahoma State - Jordan Jackson
<b>Defensive Scout Team Player</b>
South Carolina - Mark Risher
Louisiana Tech - Kade Wildbur
Houston - Hershell Robinson
Minnesota - Jacob Junkin
North Texas - Derek Morel
Oklahoma State - Julian Harris
I can't remember a team that deserved a homcoming more than the 2003 Cajuns. GEAUX CAJUNS