The Book: 2003 Football

[RaginRash]

That "vagabundo perezoso" snote needs to get on the ball and get that Sportsnote online again!

[CajunCharlie]

Turbine- He didn't even resemble the QB that started the beginning of the season. He has really matured, and the team is better for it

[NewsCopy]

LOUISIANA La. — The first few minutes of Saturday’s road game at Southern Mississippi will be crucial for Louisiana.

The Golden Eagles are celebrating homecoming at M.M. Roberts Stadium, and they’ve lost only once in series history at home to the Ragin’ Cajuns.

The Cajuns, who have won two in a row at home, are aiming to come up with something that will swing momentum their way.

“We need to make a play or two,” Cajun defensive coordinator Brent Pry said. “We need to challenge them — have a couple of 3-and-outs, or make a play that can turn the tide like we did against Idaho.”

Last week at Cajun Field, Idaho marched quickly downfield after the opening kickoff and threatened right away, only to be turned away by an end zone interception by safety C.C. Brown.

“We want to continue to build on that confidence,” Pry said. “Even when things have been tough this year, we’ve been able to regroup, line up again and go after them. They’re able to fight and claw back in it.

“We’ve taken our lumps with the newcomers, but they’re quality and they’re getting better.”

It’s no accident that Brown picked off a pair of Idaho passes, or that fellow safety Lamar Morgan also intercepted one before being felled for the season by a knee injury.

“We’ve really emphasized the back row breaking on the ball and making plays,” Pry said. “Three or four big plays killed us against North Texas and UL Monroe. Other than those plays, we played well enough to win.

The rest of the story

Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com

[NewsCopy]

LOUISIANA La. — Life can be a series of adjustments — some large, others small — and junior safety C.C. Brown knows what that’s like.

He came to Louisiana from Mississippi Delta Community College, a late arrival who hit the ground running and hasn’t slowed down since.

His role in the Cajun defense is different from his duties in junior college. His surroundings are vastly different. The people talk differently here than those he’s used to back home.

When there’s that much that’s new, there’s no time to slow down.

“Here, there are fraternities and there are more things to do,” said Brown, a former prep star in Greenwood, Miss. “My junior college was back out in the woods, and there wasn’t anything going on.

“There’s more to do here.”

The rest of the story

Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com

[mickzat]

I'm planning to go to the So. Miss game on Saturday. Are the Cajun fans going to tailgate in any particular place?

[CajunKate]

I am going, also. There was some discussion of tailgating on the Delphi board. I don't think they ever finalized anything though. I don't have any idea what time I'll be getting to the game. Could be two hours before, could be twenty minutes. Things are kind of up in the air, but I know I will be there.

[CajunCall]

I was going until I got a call from an old friend coming into town. I know a bunch are going up on the bus in the morning, I wish I could go.

[Turbine]

Originally posted by mickzat
I'm planning to go to the So. Miss game on Saturday. Are the Cajun fans going to tailgate in any particular place?

Wish I could join you mickzat.

I get off work at 4pm so I will be listening on the radio.

Have fun and enjoy the victory.

[NewsCopy]

All-time series information (USM leads 37-11-1)

Today's game will mark the 50th all-time meeting between the two schools. The first meeting dates back to 1923. The Cajuns have won just once in 21 trips to Hattiesburg. That victory came on Oct. 21, 1989 when Brian Mitchell ran for 134 yards and two touchdowns and passed for 313 yards and one touchdown. The 24-21 victory gave the Cajuns their second victory over USM’s Brett Favre. Louisiana has scored just 10 points in the last three meetings combined, allowing 138 points. USM has allowed just six points in two of their three home games this season.

The last time these teams met (Sept. 22, 2001) The Cajuns were held to only seven yards rushing and eight first downs in a 35-10 loss at Cajun Field. Fred Stamps led Louisiana with three catches for 76 yards. USM controlled the ball, running 78 plays to the Cajuns 56. The Golden Eagles held the ball for 40:26.

LOUISIANA SI

[NewsCopy]

Special teams just as key as offense, defense for Cajuns at Southern Mississippi.

HATTIESBURG, Miss. — One of the few mistakes Louisiana made in last week’s 31-20 victory over Idaho was letting Rod Bryant return a kickoff for a touchdown just before halftime.

Bryant’s score, the first such TD against UL since 1989, cut the Ragin’ Cajun lead to 21-12 and blunted some of their momentum at the break.

Coach Rickey Bustle’s team was able to withstand that slip, but won’t want to tempt fate here today.

When the Cajuns furnish the opposition at 2 p.m. for Southern Mississippi’s homecoming game at 33,000-seat M.M. Roberts Stadium, they’ll face a Golden Eagles squad that is accomplished in special teams play.

Sophomore John Eubanks ranks 5th in the nation in kickoff returns with a 29.38-yard average, with 13 runbacks for 382 yards and a 94-yard score.

Junior Marvin Young is No. 24 in punt returns at 11.95 per attempt (19-227-1) and an 87-yard touchdown.

And sophomore punter Luke Johnson’s 42.43-yard average is tied for 32nd among Division 1-A performers.

In addition, the Eagles blocked a field goal and returned it for a vital touchdown in last week’s 27-6 win over South Florida.

In short, USM has had some special moments on special teams.

The rest of the story

Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com

[eaglefever]

Good luck with the rebuilding.
Tough day for you, but we needed a game like this going into the rest of our sched.
Not much to say about the game.
I imagine things look kinda bleak to most of you right now.
I don't want to seem arrogant, but it will be intersting to see if you guys can continue to play in Div 1A.

[Turbine]

Originally posted by eaglefever
Good luck with the rebuilding. . . . I don't want to seem arrogant, but it will be intersting to see if you guys can continue to play in Div 1A.

Thanks for the well wishes. We will make it.

Hey on a brighter note this is the best UL has looked in Hattiesburg since losing 27-52 Jake Delhommes senior year.

I think this is the first time we have scored in Hattiesburg since then.

Hope you do well the rest of the year.