The Book 2008 Football

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  Going into last week's Illinois game, UL defensive coordinator Kevin Fouquier challenged his players to improve on a frustrating performance in the team's season opener.

After an open week, the Cajun defense fueled a near upset of the then-No. 24 Fighting Illini by holding an offense that had averaged 44.5 points in its previous two games to one offensive touchdown and 341 yards.

That came one game after giving up 633 yards in a 51-21 loss at Southern Miss.

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Joshua Parrott • jparrott@theadvertiser.com • September 18, 2008

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  LOUISIANA — When the University of Louisiana aerial game decided to go vertical this season, few probably thought the primary passing targets would include tight ends.

In two games, however, the statistics indicate otherwise.

Tight ends Erik Jones, Ladarius Green and Luke Aubrey have eight of the team’s 36 completions.

More emphasis of tight ends as receivers rather than blockers has Jones enthusiastic as the Cajuns prepare for Saturday’s home opener against Kent State.

Jones, a senior, caught his first career touchdown pass Saturday — an 11-yard reception in the final minutes of a 20-17 loss at Illinois.

In his three previous seasons, Jones caught only four passes.

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By BOB ARDOIN
Special to The Advocate

[good2geaux]

That dump off to Erik Jones in the 4th last week was nice.
We need to make a statement this weekend.
Cajuns, "LEAVE NO DOUBT" !!

[Just1More]

_ That dump off to Erik Jones in the 4th last week was nice.
We need to make a statement this weekend.
Cajuns, "LEAVE NO DOUBT" !! _

Most under-utilized aspect of our accessable game. You add that dimension, you open up all the rest.

[zephyr]

_ I am fairly confident that we got a lot more than 300 grand for the trip to Illinois. In fact, it may have been as much as 600 grand. _

ditto But I agree with the post.

[Boomer]

_ ditto But I agree with the post. _

How much more or less did it cost us to change travel plans by going to Shreveport and have the time of departure etc. change??//

[zephyr]

_ Look I know when i'm wrong, Desmo had a great game against Illinois (aside from that terrible strip run back for a TD). But one game does not make a QB. I did like how he was throwing the ball yesterday. But are you honestly going to sit here and tell me that because he had a good passing game that he's a good quarterback. I'm still not sold that he can be a consistent passer. I still think that if we had a pocket passer QB and used Desmo as a "utility" player on offense that we would win more games. I guess we will agree to disagree.

If Desmo can have 2-3 more games passing like he had yesterday, I'll eat crow. I'm pulling for him. And he should be able to do it on Sun Belt D's. _

Hey Bro, we're fishing in the same pond.sort of. I did NOT say that he was a great passing QB. You questioned my comment whether he was IMPROVED that I made after the USM game. I'm only saying that I think he'll be able to adequately move the ball this year via the pass to help our running game. This is a two way street though. Your WR's like Chery who is a senior need to run better routes and hold on to the freaking ball. Chery's drop on the drive where we missed the FG when we would have got a first down was crucial. I've seen a marked improvement in MD's passing this year especially deep but you will witness it on Saturday

[zephyr]

_ How much more or less did it cost us to change travel plans by going to Shreveport and have the time of departure etc. change??// _

I have no clue but it cost me a chance to go to the game. I wasn't riding a bus to Shreveport to have to board a plane to Illinois.

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  Sails, a junior from Alabama, is still waiting for his final course from College of the Desert in California to be processed. He arrived on campus during the first week of preseason camp.

Whenever Sails is cleared, UL coach Rickey Bustle expects him to fight for time behind starting tailback Tyrell Fenroy. Bustle is unsure whether Sails has a redshirt season available.

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Joshua Parrott • jparrott@theadvertiser.com • September 19, 2008

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  UL defensive coordinator Kevin Fouquier liked what he saw from middle linebacker Richard Brooks, who made his first career start last week against Illinois.

The redshirt freshman from Texas tied for the team lead with eight tackles after starting in place of senior Brent Burkhalter. Brooks and Burkhalter rotated in and out all afternoon.

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Joshua Parrott • jparrott@theadvertiser.com • September 19, 2008

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  UL and Kent State, which face off in Saturday's 6 p.m. Herbert Heymann Football Classic at Cajun Field, mirror each other in many ways.

Both teams feature coaches trying to turn around their program, Rickey Bustle for the Cajuns (0-2) and Doug Martin at Kent State (1-2).

Both teams feature dynamic quarterbacks and productive running backs, Mike Desormeaux and Tyrell Fenroy at UL and Julian Edelman and Eugene Jarvis for the Golden Flashes.

Both teams come from conferences looking for more respect on the national scene, the Cajuns from the Sun Belt and Kent State from the Mid-American.

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Joshua Parrott • jparrott@theadvertiser.com • September 19, 2008

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  KENT: Kent State ended its hold on the nation's longest losing streak last Saturday. And now the Golden Flashes (1-2) look forward to one more game before they begin play in the Mid-American Conference.

The next game is no pushover.

Louisiana-Lafayette (0-2), which will host KSU at 7 p.m. Saturday, only lost by three points to No. 24 Illinois last week.

Flashes coach Doug Martin sees a little bit of his team in the Ragin' Cajuns.

''It's really kind of mirror images on the offensive side of the ball,'' Martin said. ''A much better running team then they are throwing, although they are getting better. So, they are very similar to us in that aspect.''

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By Jonas Fortune
Beacon Journal sports writer

[zephyr]

I like Brooks a lot! I think if Zanders gets his final year next year this unit will be even better than this year's. With Brooks and Kyron Benoit ( who I thought had a great Fall!) getting more maturity, this unit will be faster, deeper and bigger overall.

[DestinCajun]

Sails, a junior from Alabama, is still waiting for his final course from College of the Desert in California to be processed. He arrived on campus during the first week of preseason camp._ _

Am I assuming correctly this school has not posted his grade from the summer session???? Holy crap, is this for eveyone in that same class?

[Boomer]

What is the deal with Yobes Walker??? Is he hurt, left, redshirting, or in the mix??????