The Book: 2003 Football

[RaginRash]

That was awesome. Stamps is the Man!

[RaginRash]

How 'bout that Crist bomb? Stamps was so wide open, as he was much of the game. People in my section were yelling "Stamps is open! NOOOOooooo....YEESSSSSS!" on that play!

[RaginRash]

Man, the defense about gave me heart attacks on those 3rd and long situations!

[CajunRebel]

You really deserved to play over JVC those past few years Eric, it was great to finally get to see you in action. Good Job!

[CajunRebel]

I would if I could, trust me. Im just a meager college student with no time and no money. Oldman trust me when I say if I was able too I'd be raiding the buffet at the luncheon every week!

[CajunRebel]

How about Eric's block on that play, I didn't even care about the throw after that hit.

[NewsCopy]

LOUISIANA La. — It's no surprise that Thursday’s UL Lafayette-New Mexico State game came down to a field goal.

The last two games between the clubs had been decided the same way, but it was Aggie kicker Dario Aguiniga that had provided NMSU with those two victories.

His 29-yard last play field goal had given the Aggies a 49-46 victory at Cajun Field in 2001, and he duplicated that effort last year in Las Cruces, N.M. with a 41-yarder with zeros on the clock. Both times, the Cajuns had just scored touchdowns to take the lead.

“I told him before the game that their kicker had beaten us two years in a row,’’ said Cajun assistant coach Mike Gibson, “and this was his time to shine.’’

Comiskey’s 21-yard field goal capped a 40-yard drive in the final 2:20, a drive that started at the Aggie 44 and one that the sophomore kicker figured he’d be ending one way or the other.

“I’d almost rather have kicked a 50-yarder than the one from 21,’’ Comiskey said after the game. “That’s nerve-racking.’’

One thing Comiskey might be less nervous about now is walking into his 9 a.m. class this morning and not being recognized.

The rest of the story

Dan McDonald
dmcdonald@lafayette.gannett.com

[NewsCopy]

LOUISIANA La. — Even though their school’s football team is tied for last place in the Sunbelt Conference, UL Lafayette students were getting their spirits up before the game began in the parking lot outside Cajun Field. And it didn’t have anything to do with the fact that the game against the New Mexico State Aggies was an ESPN regional broadcast or that a diamond ring was being given away.

The rest of the story

Beverly Corbell
bcorbell@theadvertiser.com

[NewsCopy]

Cajuns notch comeback win over Aggies.

LOUISIANA La. — This time, the shoe was on the other foot.

Louisiana, a loser to New Mexico State on last-minute field goals the last two seasons, turned the tables Thursday night when sophomore Sean Comiskey’s 21-yard field goal with 7 seconds to play lifted the Ragin’ Cajuns to a 26-24 victory before 12,308 fans at Cajun Field.

The dramatic victory was the first of the season for coach Rickey Bustle’s squad, and provided a wild finish for a regional television audience.

It was also sweet redemption for Comiskey, whose misfired extra point was blocked at the start of the fourth period to prevent the Cajuns from tying the Aggies at 24 apiece.

“I can’t put into words what it feels like,” said Comiskey, who rushed to hug younger brother Brian on the field at game’s end. “It (the kick) only lasts one to three seconds, and I savored it while I could.

“I missed the extra point. I take full responsibility for it. I was hurt (by the miss), but I knew I would get the chance to win it. I wish it had been a 50-yarder, instead of a 21-yarder. That was nerve-wracking.

“I was more worried about the kickoff.”

The final kickoff saw the Aggies try several laterals trying to break a return, with the Cajuns making sure of the victory.

“I feel incredible right now,” Comiskey said. “I was on such a high out there. I’m trying to get back to normal, but it’s hard.”

It was also a rebirth for redshirt freshman quarterback Jerry Babb, who took over when senior Eric Rekieta broke his collarbone on a first-down scramble in the first half.

The rest of the story

Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com

[NewsCopy]

Easing the pain ULL tops New Mexico 26-24 for first victory

LOUISIANA La. -- Sean Comiskey had trouble accurately describing perhaps the three most memorable seconds of his college career.

Throwing off his helmet and dancing around Cajun Field with eight seconds remaining Thursday night before a regional television audience told a more poignant story instead.

The Louisiana placekicker's 21-yard field goal gave the Cajuns a comeback 26-24 win over New Mexico State before a crowd of 12,308.

It was also ULL's first win of the season and came five days after a 45-42 Cajun Field loss to Louisiana-Monroe on a field goal with 1:46 left.

Comiskey, a sophomore from Metairie, said the winning field goal -- the second of his career -- atoned for an extra point he missed earlier in the fourth period, preserving a NMSU 24-23 lead.

"I was hurting (after the missed point after). I missed (the kick), it was nobody's fault but mine.

"During the game I knew that I would get a another chance. I really can't put into words what it felt like.

"Something like this lasts only three seconds, so you savor that when you can," Comiskey said.

ULL (1-7) retook the lead three times from New Mexico State (1-6), which was held scoreless by the Cajuns' defense during the fourth quarter.

The Cajuns also won their first game in nine contests dating back to November of last season.

ULL also played most of the game without senior starting quarterback Erik Rekieta, who started, but fractured a collarbone early in the second quarter.

Team officials announced during the game that Rekieta is out for the remainder of the season.

The rest of the story

By BOBBY ARDOIN
Special to The Advocate

[ATXCajun]

I've done the collarbone thing. 6 to 8 weeks of not-fun, but it heels well and he'll be good as new. I bet he'll be making a contribution in the film room and on the sidelines next week. It sucks that injuries keep setting this guy back, but maybe his calling is coaching. Either way, I wish him and his family the best of luck.

[ATXCajun]

Dude!! No kidding!! I forgot to mention that in an earlier post about heart attack games. We do an outstanding job of getting to 3rd and long and then give up a big play. I knew we were toast every time Jay said "Dombrowski drops back...lots of time..." Were we rushing three on 3rd and long?