The Book: 2002-03 Louisiana Football season

[CajunGrad94]

Originally posted by Turbine

There has been a bit of stadium expansion talk as of late. I think it is premature.

I do think think improvements are in order, with the goal being, installing a sense of pride.

My suggestion:

A football, "Walk of Fame" similar to the one on campus, that would traverse at least the South levee and connect the East and West side of the Swamp.

I agree with you Turbine! The current stadium has plenty of seating. I would rather see funds used to update the current facility. It really could use a major face lift.

[NewsCopy]

Bruce Brown

LAFAYETTE - Well, that's it.

The margin for error is down to zero for UL's Ragin' Cajuns to win the Sun Belt Conference and host the New Orleans Bowl Dec. 17 in the Superdome.

Last Saturday's 31-28 loss at New Mexico State removed any cushion coach Rickey Bustle had in his first year in a league. North Texas and Middle Tennessee shared the crown in 2001 with 5-1 records, and that's a likely mark again for the champion.

"The Sun Belt champion will have one loss," Bustle said on Monday. "We've lost, so all we can control is the games we have left. Two (losses), and you're out of it."

One factor in the Cajuns' favor is the league's balance. Arkansas State leads the way at 2-0, but at 4-4 is not overwhelming. New Mexico State is 1-0, UL Monroe is 1-1, UL Lafayette, Middle Tennessee and Idaho are all 0-1 and North Texas has yet to begin SBC play.

The 1-5, 0-1 Cajuns visit Middle Tennessee (also 1-5) on Saturday, and both squads will aim to get back on track in that 11 a.m. game (televised locally on KLAF, Cable 17).

"Middle was disappointed a few weeks ago (losing 24-14 to Southeast Missouri and 13-7 to Arkansas State), but they got over it and beat a good Vanderbilt team last Saturday," Bustle said.

The Blue Raiders' 21-20 win at Vanderbilt featured 144 yards on 20 carries by Rashard Lee, who has taken over the running burden while Dwone Hicks (10-42 last week) nurses injuries. Hicks scored the game-winning touchdown from two yards out in the final minute of play.

The rest of the story

[Cajun1997]

Originally posted by CajunGrad94
I agree with you Turbine! The current stadium has plenty of seating. I would rather see funds used to update the current facility. It really could use a major face lift.

I agree with you both. I would love to see the stadium expanded but only after other improvements have been made and the "need" for more seating becomes a priority.

[Cajun1997]

Louisiana's coach Rickey Bustle announced his picks for the weekly Stadium Club awards on Tuesday following the New Mexico State game.

Quarterback Jon Van Cleave picked up the offensive player of the game award after going 22 of 30 passing for 228 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Defensive player of the game was Antonio Floyd (six tackles, one sack, a fumble recovery and one tackle for a loss) while William Delahoussaye picked up the special forces award and Jay Smith and Wes Simon the scout-team awards.

The big hit awards were given to D'Anthony Batiste and Antonio Floyd.

Link

[Cajun1997]

we would only have 20 net rushing yards against Middle Tennessee. No wonder we lost this game. We have to learn to run the ball well every week instead of every other week.

UAB 123 yards
LSU 17 yards
NMSU 147 yards
MTSU 20 yards

[Cajun1997]

Support the Cajuns
Don't give up on this team. Be there and have your butt in a seat. Let's fill it up and show our support for this upcoming 3 game homestand.
GEAUX CAJUNS!!!!!

[Turbine]

So true, especially when Middle T is giving up something like 167 rushing yards per game.

[Turbine]

My early season prediction was a 6-6 finish.

I now amend that to 5-7

[Cajun1997]

a 5-7 season and 20,000 plus average attendence per game. That would be a nice building block for next year.

[Cajun1997]

Cajuns lose to Middle Tennessee
La Tech loses to SMU
ULM loses to New Mexico St
LSU losing (middle of 2nd quarter) to South Carolina
only Tulane has won (so far) beating UAB