The Book: 2003 Football

[NewsCopy]

Receiver accumulates numbers, memories with Cajuns

LOUISIANA La. — Little things can add up to big results.

Fred Stamps will leave Louisiana as one of the finest receivers in school history, second only to Brandon Stokley in sheer numbers.

But the Carver High product will also leave behind an indelible impression as a player willing to work at his craft each day, a player who loved being on the football field.

“The most important thing I’ve done is just working hard,” said Stamps, who went out in style with an eye-catching 13-catch, 201-yard, 3-touchdown performance in the season finale at Middle Tennessee.

“I love to practice. Once you get warmed up, the coaches make it fun. I just love to play football. I’ve been playing it since I was 6 years old, and I’ve been catching the football since I was a little baby.”

Last summer, Stamps joined other receivers in working with UL quarterbacks against defensive backs to hone their craft, working on the details that would later make the Cajuns a better squad.

“Me and Jerry Babb would get out there every day in the summer, starting around 3 o’clock and sometimes going until 7,” Stamps said. “We were out there every day, trying to get better.”

Once the season began, Stamps served as the leader of the Cajun receiving corps as well as a security blanket for Babb, a redshirt freshman getting his first taste of the college game against a rugged schedule.

The rest of the story

Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com

[RaginRash]

"I’m a Ragin’ Cajun for life"

I hope Freddie 'blows up' big time in the NFL!

[Oldman]

good luck Freddie, God speed i know you can do it, we will be watching. "GEAUX CAJUNS."

[Turner]

"It was the best game I ever had in my life. It was the kind of game that could be made into a movie."

I love Fred Stamps, a REAL Ragin' Cajun.

[RaisingCajun08]

It was the best game I have watched in a long time. I look forward to seeing Fred & Ross on Sunday next year.

[Cajunologist]

God Bless Fred Stamps and the Cajuns. Stamps is the MAN.

[ATXCajun]

He said he hopes to be selected for an all-star game and mentioned nothing of showcasing his talents (though that is clearly a benefit that he must be interested in). He said he wants to put on his Ragin Cajun helmet again. That's just outstanding. I can't find the words. This sounds like a guy that will always support and be involved with this program. He even recognized the importance of that win against MTSU. Clearly cares about the future of the program and the men he leaves behind.

[RaginFan2]

You can't have too many people like Fred Stamps in your program! Hope they can find some more just like him. He has the type of attitude and leadership we really need to see continue. I wish that young man all the success in the world. You can bet I'll be following his career and cheering him on no matter which team he ends up on.

Go Fred!!!!
Geaux Ragin' Cajuns !!!!!

[CajunCall]

Hah I went looking at this weeks poll no one had as good a week as Stamps.

[Turbine]

Final Sunbelt rankings

6th in rushing 1398
5th in total yards 335.5
5th in passing 2628
5th in 1st downs 17.9
4th in 3rd down percentage 37.5
3rd in 3rd downs made 72
3rd in 4th down percentage 55.0
3rd in fewest penalty yards 717
3rd in scoring 22.2
2nd in 4th downs made 11
2nd in fewest penalties 83
2nd in time of possession 30:40

2nd in the W/L catagory

[NewsCopy]

Can't run with the big dogs with only two legs

There is a long-standing argument among football fans in Louisiana about where their favorite college football team belongs in the status of collegiate sports.

I'm here to tell you that I have a solution for all the questions that you have pondered all season long.

Although you may disagree with me, I think there should only be three Louisiana universities playing Division I-A football. Those being LSU, Tulane and Louisiana Tech. When it comes to the rest of the colleges, it's time to call 'em like I see 'em.

I am all for getting the big payday when taking a beating from the likes of LSU, Auburn or Miami, but for pete's sake, will Louisiana-Lafayette and Louisiana-Monroe please go back down to Division I-AA where you belong.

Louisiana is not large enough to handle five Division I-A programs, and frankly, neither of those teams has proven it belongs in the big time. In fact, since they have moved up to football highest competitive level, the fans have been robbed of good football games. Who the heck wants to see UL-Lafayette being pounded by mediocre Division I-A teams? I don't.

The rest of the story

By Brian Trahan/Sports Editor

[BrockMeaux]

What a goober.

Instead of worrying about how great LSU is, and the McNeese rivalry, maybe he should think about what kind of an alternative UL provides. We give talented kids a shot at playing D-1A football that probably wouldn't be able to make it at a school like LSU that gets blue chippers every recruiting season. And given, we've been more or less pretty bad the past few years, but nobody can take away the strong finish we had this season. Strong enough to finish 2nd in the conference. I know, 2nd place is just 1st place loser, but it's a step up from perenially being at the bottom of the conference. Fact is that UL is getting stronger every season under Bustle. We seem to be off to a good recruiting class right now and, ask me again at this time next offseason, and I'll tell you that I think we're ready to compete with the Tulanes and the Louisiana Techs and even the USMs of college football.