The Book: 2002-03 Louisiana Football season

[NewsCopy]

By GLENN QUEBEDEAUX
Special to The Advocate

LAFAYETTE -- A performance like John Van Cleave's against Texas A&M on Saturday might cause most coaches to lose confidence in their quarterback, but Rickey Bustle isn't like most coaches.

After watching Van Cleave throw six interceptions and fumble once in Saturday's 31-7 loss to the Aggies, the new coach of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns said he still believes in his junior quarterback.

"I'm not worried about Jon," said Bustle, whose team committed a mind-boggling 10 turnovers in Bustle's debut as head coach. "He's a veteran guy; he'll bounce back.

"When I took him out, I told him: 'I believe that if I let you stay in a little longer, you may set some kind of record. It may not be a good, but..."'

Van Cleave, who passed for 2,499 and 14 touchdowns a year ago while setting school records for attempts and completions, had the type game Saturday that quarterbacks only dream about -- in nightmares.

Against the Aggies, he was only 13-of-34 for 143 yards. Six others were caught by Aggies, some off of bad-luck deflections.

"It seemed like every bounce went their way; every break went their way," said Van Cleave, who seemed undaunted afterward. "They were bringing good pressure. Their front seven was just unbelievable. They got a lot of pressure and that made it easy for their defensive backs.

"There's no excuses we can make, though. We just didn't get the job done; I didn't get the job done.

Despite the Cajuns' numerous gifts, the Aggies led by only a field goal at the half, 3-0. In the first half, Van Cleave was picked off three times and the Cajuns fumbled the ball away three other times.

The rest of the Story

[Turbine]

I was listenting to the coaches show and he handed out awards to the best players of the week. I caught a few did anyone get the rest?

Offensive player Frederick Stamps,

Defensive player Antonio Floyd.

Special teams Grant Autrey

Jerry Babb won something I am not sure what since he didn't play.

I missed the rest while I was trying to commit to memory the ODS

The first post game coaches show of the season is over. A caller (not me) called the coaches show and asked coach what happened with Dugas? Coach said he and Nick had talked, and Nick will be back on the practice field. Actually it sounded like he already is.

Oh yeah I really doubt JVC will ever throw 6 interceptions again.

[CajunDave1]

Although the final score was Texas A&M 31 Cajuns - 7, I feel very good about the future of this UL football program. We all knew that going into Kyle Field would be a tough first game for Coach Bustle and his team but, in my opinion, there were many more positives than negatives that came out of that contest.

1st - If defense is what wins championships, and our defense continues to play anywhere close to the way they played Saturday evening, the Ragin Cajuns will certainly be in the hunt for the Sun Belt title this year.

2nd - Nick Dugas (allegedly, one of the best players on our team) was nowhere to be found in College Station because he was left home for "personnal reasons"! This proves to me that Coach Bustle will demand that things be done his way, members of his team will practice hard and do what is right, or they simply won't play a roll on his team. There will always be some young adults that require "tough love" and good coaches don't make exceptions!

3rd - I loved the way the Cajuns came out with everyone wearing the same uniform. For the past few years, it appeared to me that players were being to allowed to wear many "miscellanious" items that were not part of the official uniform that seemed to be designed to attract attention to themselves instead of the team!

4th - Even though we lost the game, there was a tremendous improvement in game management by the coaching staff. No silly time outs because the team was confused or the coaches couldn't decide what to do next! Improvement in this aspect of the game alone should lead to an additional 1 - 3 wins per season.

5th - For the first game of the season, the Cajuns had very few penalties and seemed to play with a lot of discipline. The Cajuns were flagged for very few false starts, illegal procedure and holding penalties against a very physical Texas A&M team. Also, when the defense could have gotten very frustrated by the offense's lack of production and turnovers, they kept their cool and had "zero" personal fouls! For the past few years we could count on comitting at least 2 or 3 personal fouls each game. Those kind of penalties are, more often than not, simply an illustration of one's lack of discipline and frustration.

6th - The coverages on special teams was far superior than in the recent past and our punting game was much improved.

7th - Although the offense had a horrible debut, they wereheld in check just as much by their own mistakes as they were by a very good Texas A&M defense. The Aggies did make some good plays to create some of the 10 turnovers, but several (at least half) were simply gifts by the Cajuns. The offense will show at least a 200% improvement this week against the Golden Gophers, if they simply cut down the turnovers from 10 to even 3! After this one game, we still can't really judge the offense because we never held onto the ball long enough to get anything going!

8th - And finally, as I was sitting in Kyle Field watching the team in pre-game warm-ups and throughout thegame, I could just sense and feel that the team (and fans) had a renewed sense of pride in being Ragin Cajuns!

Yes, we departed College Station 0 - 1, for the 7th year in a row, but this was not the same kind of defeatas most of the one's in the recent past. I can't ever remember sitting through a 31 - 7 loss and leaving the game with such a positive outlook for the future of Ragin Cajun football!!!!!!

Coach Ricky Bustle, and his staff, are on the right track and "will" be getting their first of many W's in the very near future!!!!!!

[Turbine]

I like your thinking.

I'm sure LoveFest wold agree. Feed them some Hot Boudin, Cold cush cush, Geaux Cajuns, push push push.

Rice anthing with rice will swell in the "sota" tummy.

[Turbine]

CajunDave1 that is one heck of a post. Very inspiring.

---

Here is a heads up look at the punt return game, compared to the Aggies.
Both from a return and defense standpoint.

Both teams kicked and received 6 punts.
Both teams returned 4 punts.

Average punt distance (out of 6)
Louisiana 42.7
Tx Aggies 41.2

Total Return yards (from 4)
Louisiana 39
Tx Aggies 05

The 1.25 yard average of the Aggies tells me we are either qucik or consistent. It would not be hard for a 42.7 average to include some kicks that out distanced the coverage. This did not happen.

The kicking game was very incouraging from both vantagae points.

[Turbine]

Artwork provided by Gerald Hebert.

[Turner]

Originally posted by Bump
Think we could get Minn. to eat some chicken gumbo. That should slow them down.

Gumbo Gumbo great big bowl of expanding gumbo.

[NewsCopy]

University of Louisiana Police will implement enhanced security measures at home football games beginning with this Saturday’s game between Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns and Minnesota.

“We are asking that patrons refrain from bringing any large containers,” said Chief Joey Sturm. “This includes large bags or purses and all backpacks, as they will not be allowed inside Cajun Field.”

Sturm noted that purses cannot be bigger than 12 inches by 12 inches in size. Also, no umbrellas will be allowed in the stadium. Diaper bags and other special needs will be accommodated, however, all are subject to search.

Fans will see an increased security presence around Cajun Field and should expect delays when entering the stadium. All persons - including their belongings - entering the game will be subject to search.

“We are requesting that patrons be patient, as access to the stadium gates will be partially restricted and heavily monitored,” said Sturm. He also noted a no-reentry policy will be enforced.

Tickets are being sold at the Cajundome Box Office from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day this week, through Friday. Tickets will be available at noon on game day at the main ticket office located next to the Tigue Moore Baseball Field entrance. Tickets will be available Saturday at Gates B, C, D at 5 p.m.
Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance to avoid a wait at the gate.

All ticket holders will be eligible for a chance to win a pickup truck, a tailgating barbecue pit, a 32” television and cash, including premium souvenirs that will be given away at the gate.

A very special gift will be handed out to the first 500 fans through the gate while the next 1,000 fans through the gates will receive CheerStix. Money and t-shirts will also be given away during the game. This season’s theme is “Get in the Game and Win!”

[NewsCopy]

Sept. 3, 2002

LAFAYETTE –Louisiana head football coach Ricky Bustle announced Tuesday the winners of the Stadium Club weekly player awards after play from Saturday’s game at No. 23 Texas A&M.

Leading the way for the Cajuns was wide receiver Frederick Stamps, who had seven catches for a career best 115 yards, including a 31-yard touchdown. His efforts tabbed him Offensive Player of the Game. The Defensive Player of the Game award went to Antonio Floyd. Floyd collected five total tackles, including three tackles for loss, one quarterback pressure and one big hit. Claiming the Special Forces Award, for the top special teams effort was junior punter Grant Autrey with six punts for 42.7 yards.

The coaches named their top scout team participants for last week’s practice sessions leading up to the game. The Offensive Scout Team Player was Jerry Babb, a freshmen quarterback from Lafayette. The Defensive Scout Team Player was Chris Morgan, a freshman defensive tackle from Shreveport.

The players voted on the big hit awards and the results were as follows.

Offensive Big Hit of the Game-Greg Hodges, sophomore offensive guard from Rockwall, Texas.

Defensive Big Hit of the Game-Antonio Floyd, junior defensive end from St. Francisville.

Special Forces Big Hit of the Game-Stanley Smith, sophomore inside line backer from Ferriday.

[NewsCopy]

RAGIN’ ROAR AT CAJUN FIELD TONIGHT

“Welcome to the Red Zone.” That’s the theme for tonight’s Ragin’ Roar pep rally at Cajun Field starting at 6:30 p.m.

This traditional pep rally kicks off the football season for Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns. The home opener is Saturday during the Herbert Heymann Football Classic when the Ragin’ Cajuns will take on Minnesota. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

The public is invited to cheer on the team during Ragin’ Roar. Football players and coaches will be there to meet the fans. Athletes from all other sports will be in attendance as well. The UL Lafayette cheerleaders, the Ragin’ Jazz and the UL Lafayette band will also be on hand to entertain the crowd.

Live music will be provided by Krossfyre and free jambalaya will be served. For more information about Ragin’ Roar, contact the Union Program Council at 482-6939.