The Book: 2003 Football

[Cajun1997]

Originally posted by RaginFan2
This kind of ____ really ____es me off. We have a bad game and all of the nay-sayers start spouting how we don't belong in 1A. I bet no one says the same thing about Arizona not belonging after they got plastered 59-13 by LSUA&M-BR last night.

McCown is an outstanding passer and Tech has a talented offense. I was expecting that. What surprised me was their defense. Of course, I haven't been overly impressed yet by our offense so far in the Bustle era. I do think they play with some heart (contrary to one observer's comments). I thought our offensive line would open a few more holes than I saw last night. I was most disappointed in so many poor tackling attempts, too much arm tackling. I also thought a few of the offensive play calling series were questionable. But isn't that always the case when you get beat as badly as we did last night. I do agree that the refs made numerous bad calls (and no-calls ... how do you NOT call holding when the O-lineman all but tackles the D-lineman???). Had they made the correct calls (IMHO) on those occasions, it would have probably made for a closer, more interesting game, but Tech would have still won. They just have a better team than us at this time. Just give it another year or 2 and then let's compare again.

Bustle has his work cut out for him, but I think he is more than capable of succeeding and has, in fact, already made noticeable progress. I seem to recall in the preseason that most knowledgeable folks were expecting us to win 4-5 games this year, so let's not get too panicky this early. Just remember the first half of the season has the toughest games. Most of wins will likely come during the second half of the season.

Geaux Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns !!!!!!

Good post RF2, here is some more stats FYI. After 2 games this year we have rushed for a total of 233 yards. Last year after 3 games we only had 124 yards. This year after 2 games we have 331 yards passing and 2 interceptions 0 TD's. Last year after 2 games we had 292 yards passing and 8 interceptions. Last year after 2 games the offense had scored 10 points this year after 2 games they have scored 3. Is there improvement? YES. Is it coming as fast as we fans (or the team) would like? NO. But we will get better.

GEAUX CAJUNS!!!!!!!

[CajunNation]

Yeah, but

Look, we won't win ANY games if we can't run the ball

At least with Van Cleave and Coleman SOMEONE was going
to score

We can't get Stamps the ball "in space" where he can
make a play

This offense MUST have a dominating line and top notch
running backs to work properly. Years away from that.

This game hurt us in recruiting

Don't mean to whine. Just wanted to let off some steam

[TheScout307]

We need to figure out a way to start scoring some points. This is getting out of hand , We cant win like that , Hell the offense didnt even need to show up ... UL Defense Vs. La Tech OFfense for 60 min is what it should ahve been ... I was at the game last night very unpleased in how it went, I really like our guys effort. I think there were some BS calls as well but thats just how it sometime. We need to start making the big plays . Babb needs to hit Fred in the honey hole for a TD when he gets a chance instead of over throwing him wide open like he did last night. We cant miss those oppurtunites and still win . I still belive but we need to figure out something quick b/c the D cant do it all...

Go Cajuns.... Be the reason

[RaginRash]

Originally posted by big hurt
THE MORAL OF THE STORY.

BUSTLE IS A GOOD COACH WHO CAN'T WIN BECAUSE THE PLAYERS DON'T KNOW HOW. GET SOME TALENT OVER THERE.

I can see why you are a FORMER coach! LOL!

[Turbine]

Thanks I need these numbers for predict the yardage.

[CajunCharlie]

You stated it much more eloquently than I did. This fast food age we live in doesn't allow for any patience. I agree with what you said, thank you.

[CajunCharlie]

I believe we will have better than 15,000. The naysayers are an irritant, but the true fans that support our University will be there, because we want Bustle and the team to succeed.

[TuffGuy84]

Originally posted by SwampFox
I am sure there will be some dropoff but I have seen people posting (on Delphi and here) concerned about us meeting the attendence requirement now, WTF :confused: All this negative BS is ____ing me off. We all knew this was a young team with a lot of new players before the season started and now all of a sudden after ONE (I repeat ONE) bad game the sky is falling, WTF :confused: We had one hell of a week and a great turnout for this game. For people who have never seen what a "real" college game day atmosphere is this (yesterday's tailgating) was just a small taste of the fun that can be had, the money the community can make, etc...The team laid an egg and did not have a good showing, so now people will just quit coming. I worked for Ole Miss for three years, win or lose they had people in "the Grove" tailgating like crazy EVERY game. Now either these people are diehard Rebel fans or they just like to party. I guess my point is that, yes I am ____ed off that we not only lost (to a team that is our oldest rival) and lost badly but that we have so many what I thought were true Cajun fans already jumping ship. Out of that 24,211 do you think at least 13,158 will show up for the next 5 home games? That is exactly how many we have to average to meet the 15,000 (which by the way does not count this year anyway). Make that 13,157 because my _____ will be at every home game. The team and university need our continued support if they are going to get we we all want them to be.

Pshh, cmon swamp, you know as well as I do that the people on these forums, no matter how much we say we'll never go back...we'll be there next week...and the week after that, and after that. Its mostly emotion of being aggrivated after last nights game, and face it, if you werent aggrivated, you werent at the game. I personally have no problem with getting beaten, but the problem to me was, getting run out of our own stadium. All the incentive was there for them to play up and beyond their average level of play. 24,000 and change show up, its an in-state rival and a designated league game to boot. With that, I didnt expect to win, just to be slightly more competitive. With that being said, if we play like we did against La Tech...we are gonna get smoked against Houston. This houston team is much better than people give em credit for and could be as good or better as La Tech.

Tuffguy

[CajunRebel]

Ok, here come my humble opinions of the game this week.

THE GOOD
-Cajun field looked great. This field 10 times better it did two years ago. The pepper over the tunnel really impressed me. Also the gates looked great. Thanks to all that slaved in the heat to get those up there. The university owes you guys some deodorant.

-Wow, the crowd was awesome. It’s been awhile since that many people have been to Cajun Field. People are starting to realize that there is D1 football in Lafayette. I think the little things (the banners hanging on light posts around the city, the "it’s good for business" campaign to name a few) have gone a long way to make people notice.

-The tailgating situation was great. I was opposed to the gravel in Cajun field but I have changed my opinion. It was great to see tons of people there too. We were in the very corner at Bertrand and Congress so we would be alone, but by the end of the afternoon we had neighbors.

-Seeing "www.raginpagin.com" scrolling across the marquee was great. How did you get that to happen?Next game you should put something like "where Cajun fans meet on the web" under it so people will know its purpose.


THE BAD
-Where was that killer D that showed up in SC last week? I understand the offense didn't do its part and the refs got a kick out of throwing their "yellow wavy thingies" up in the air, but that doesn't excuse Tech putting 40 pts on the board.

-The offense hasn't scored a TD in two games. My finger is on the panic button.Im not a genius, but if we can't score we can't win. And we won't block a field goal every game.

-People are talking about "Lafayette" in the end zone and not about how pathetic we played. Who cares about the name? The name doesn’t mean jack if we can’t win a game.


If you haven’t noticed, the community (finally) did its part. UL had more support there tonight than they deserved, and they blew it. I don't know what to think really. Im sure you left this game in utter disbelief like I did. This team baffles me. I’m not saying we had to win, but we should have been able to compete. If we don't improve, we won't stay in D1. If we don't improve with Bustle, we won't stay in D1. This is our last chance. Failure is not an option.

[NewsCopy]

LOUISIANA La. — Years ago, when John McKay was trying to get the expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers off the ground, he was asked about the execution of his team’s offense.

“I think it’s a good idea,” the sardonic legend replied.

UL is 0-2 in 2003 and the Ragin’ Cajuns of coach Rickey Bustle have yet to reach the end zone on offense.

Last Saturday’s home opener against Louisiana Tech was going to be tough enough if the Cajuns got into a scoring duel with Bulldog quarterback Luke McCown. It became impossible when they couldn’t answer at all.

“We just have to execute the offense and make plays,” said senior wide receiver Fred Stamps, who remains the team’s only consistent weapon.

“Every time we get close to the end zone, I think we get too excited and we mess up.”

Stamps caught five passes for 76 yards, including a dramatic 33-yarder that set up a Cajun field goal, extending his streak to receptions in all 34 games of his college career.

The rest of the story

Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com