The Book 2008 Football

[DestinCajun]

I can't make it, but remember what happened the last time you ventured North?

You need to sit in the same area of the stadium...same seats, same section....bring an extra wrench...maybe a screw driver...just in case a seat comes loose!

I tried but they ran us out of those seats and we went "upstairs" where we had the honor to sit near "The Funster". It all worked out well as we got a great view of Cajun offense's rage against the yard birds (and the refs).

Best non-game observation (and maybe they post here) were two young Cajun fans who bought and ate giant turkey (maybe they warhawk) legs. I mean to say they looked like Fenroy's thighs but to their credit, those two ate all of them. It took them about the entire 4th quarter but they did it.

I'll overlook our youth and the bloody details of our most recent attempt at playing Santa Claus because of the truly monster efforts I saw by our defense and, of course, the world record Cajun offensive production. It's great to do all of that in a winning performance.

The Cajuns have undergone a serious attitude adjustment and I'll give credit to the new assistants for that in addition to the play of some incredibly talented seniors.

PS Shame on me but, damn, I wish Fenroy would have gotten that last TD. LOL!!!

[RCAJUN90]

The Cajuns have undergone a serious attitude adjustment and I'll give credit to the new assistants for that in addition to the play of some incredibly talented seniors.

PS Shame on me but, damn, I wish Fenroy would have gotten that last TD. LOL!!! _

The credit and criticism starts with Bustle. He has done an awesome job since the USM debacle.

[tdncz]

I recall during the '80's, there was a very wealthy fellow from Crowley or Rayne, or somewhere nearby that had made LOTS of OIL money who wanted to contribute LOTS of money to the UL football program. He also had LOTS of kids. I beleive he had either a son or grandson that was coming to UL to play and he was going to follow that up with money. But like another poster said, good ole forward thinkin' Ray A refused to take the money with such conditions. I think he started sending this money to LSU after a few more of his off spring went there. From what I am told, he is still interested in sending money to UL. Any memory of this from anyone? Is this just a vague memory that has corrupted in my mind over the years?
Also, if we are to kick Bustle to the curb (a thought I have SLIGHTLY moved away from in the past 3 games), who are the possibilities?
Is it still the Central Ark guy, Major Applewhite, anyone else?
As for dollars, If someone with a bit more time on their hands would take charge of the Athletic Foundation, I would give as much as I could to it. We get a few thousand of guys like me and we could have a few million......
Don't start beating me up, I remain UL's biggest fan.......OH and I still want the 3 fleur-di-lis on the helmet.....

[Just1More]

_ I recall during the '80's, there was a very wealthy fellow from Crowley or Rayne, or somewhere nearby that had made LOTS of OIL money who wanted to contribute LOTS of money to the UL football program. He also had LOTS of kids. I beleive he had either a son or grandson that was coming to UL to play and he was going to follow that up with money. But like another poster said, good ole forward thinkin' Ray A refused to take the money with such conditions. I think he started sending this money to LSU after a few more of his off spring went there. From what I am told, he is still interested in sending money to UL. Any memory of this from anyone? Is this just a vague memory that has corrupted in my mind over the years?
Also, if we are to kick Bustle to the curb (a thought I have SLIGHTLY moved away from in the past 3 games), who are the possibilities?
Is it still the Central Ark guy, Major Applewhite, anyone else?
As for dollars, If someone with a bit more time on their hands would take charge of the Athletic Foundation, I would give as much as I could to it. We get a few thousand of guys like me and we could have a few million......
Don't start beating me up, I remain UL's biggest fan.......OH and I still want the 3 fleur-di-lis on the helmet..... _

I would prefer to suspend future coaching speculation. Anyone who beats on you for bringing it up just needs to take a couple deep breaths and get over it. I'm sure you are a big fan... but again, this really isn't the time in the season to discuss the future of coaching. IMO

I've heard about the person you are referring... but he is not alone. And you are definitely not alone in the Athletic Foundation situation. There are people (UL Alum) in Baton Rouge of all places that I talk to who have nothing to do with UL. I know them well and they will participate. I participate without being correctly pandered to. They will not. I still think the world of them in their careers, family life and other admirable ventures. I do not harrass them for not participating in UL endeavors. I request our leadership to investigate and figure out what it is that reconnects these people to the university. Put that plan in action and let's get on with it. I can only imagine how many dormant UL fans exist all over Acadiana, including some exceptionally wealthy individuals.

To get these people to part with their hard earned wealth is never going to involve ridiculous pleading or guilt trips. They also, sadly, do not connect in a permanent huge way when we are on a good win streak. They will reconnect when leaders put something together that they can buy into. It will have to involve some concessions of privatization. It will have to involve taking what they say "they" want to see the program do for that money. It places a burden on the admin, but the effort gets rewarded perpetually.

If done right, we could see Dr. Savoie build something so unbelievable, there will be no question as to what the hearts of Acadiana truly love.

[Cajun Express]

_ We are 1-2! I say keep his head on the block until the end of the season then lets see. A loss at ULM would be unthinkable. I don't want to go back to square one but after seven years? I think we deserve the New Orleans Bowl. _

Hey Petty you wanted his head in 2006, 2007 and now you are willing to wait til the end of the season to give your expert opinion. That is what I like about you Petty, you are in the wrong business, education, you should run for mayor of Mandeville cause you want us so believe whatever you said last it the truth.

[cajun4life]

_ Customer? What customer? To be a customer, you have to believe in and purchase something...

The "customers" have not bought into this thing enough to even pay a competetive coach's salary...

I probably do not understand your post, but many UL fans sound an awful lot like a punk employee that demands a raise before he is going to put forth the effort and do what it takes to earn one...

We as fans have to step up to the plate and put forth the financial effort before we get the "raise" in level of performance from the program...not the other way around. We are the "buyers", and as such we have an important role in "business physics" as well, we pop for the cash. The "buying" generally occurs prior to the "delivering of goods"...

I agree that their needs to be a plan to go along with the stepping up to the plate, but both have to occur...

Some folks seem to have selective amnesia... The new enhancements to facilities was not here when Bustle arrived, in fact they were not really here until the end of 2007 or even beginning of 2008. Fortunately the coaching staff did not stand around with their teeth in their mouth waiting for this epiphony, they have been hard at work building a solid team as us "buyer's" try to get our proverbial act together...

As far as Coach Bustle is concerned, we have been paying him a 3 win salary, he can kick back and play some golf if he gets the W next week because he will have delivered what we have compensated him for :-) If the man gets us to a bowl game, to hell with extending his "3 win" contract, double his freakin salary...

"Up and coming" is where we want to be, and by God I think we are headed there... _

At least some on this board understand the true relationship between collegiate athletics and what role the FAN really plays.

Successful programs have fans that are willing to pay for the product and the majority of UL fans who are financially capable of buying into and stepping up to the plate big time seem to want the university to foot the entire bill. That is not the formula for success in modern day athletics at any level. Hell high schools do not even function that way anymore.

[Zeebart21]

_ I recall during the '80's, there was a very wealthy fellow from Crowley or Rayne, or somewhere nearby that had made LOTS of OIL money who wanted to contribute LOTS of money to the UL football program. He also had LOTS of kids. I beleive he had either a son or grandson that was coming to UL to play and he was going to follow that up with money. But like another poster said, good ole forward thinkin' Ray A refused to take the money with such conditions. I think he started sending this money to LSU after a few more of his off spring went there. From what I am told, he is still interested in sending money to UL. Any memory of this from anyone? Is this just a vague memory that has corrupted in my mind over the years?
Also, if we are to kick Bustle to the curb (a thought I have SLIGHTLY moved away from in the past 3 games), who are the possibilities?
Is it still the Central Ark guy, Major Applewhite, anyone else?
As for dollars, If someone with a bit more time on their hands would take charge of the Athletic Foundation, I would give as much as I could to it. We get a few thousand of guys like me and we could have a few million......
Don't start beating me up, I remain UL's biggest fan.......OH and I still want the 3 fleur-di-lis on the helmet..... _

I would be more apt to discuss a 7-5, or possible 8-4 season than a coaching change at this point.......but hey, I am a koolaid drinker from waaaaaaay back. LOL!

This gentleman from Crowley, was there some connection to him and the kids(dove hunting) put in the Mexican gulag for being at the wrong place at the wrong time a few years back???? Names shall remain anonymous to protect the innocent.

Z

[RCAJUN90]

_ Hey Petty you wanted his head in 2006, 2007 and now you are willing to wait til the end of the season to give your expert opinion. That is what I like about you Petty, you are in the wrong business, education, you should run for mayor of Mandeville cause you want us so believe whatever you said last it the truth. _

I wouldn't take his head of the block just yet Jerry. After all we are still 2-3. I do like what I'm seeing. After USM I think most of us including you were calling for his head. I'm man enough to admit when I wrong. I'm not ready to do that yet but I'm happy to see Bustle looks to be turning that corner. We needed Bustle to be successful. I just didn't see it happening after "7" YEARS! It is looking good but not yet time for you sippers to put the crow in the oven. You can start marinating now...

[Just1More]

_ At least some on this board understand the true relationship between collegiate athletics and what role the FAN really plays.

Successful programs have fans that are willing to pay for the product and the majority of UL fans who are financially capable of buying into and stepping up to the plate big time seem to want the university to foot the entire bill. That is not the formula for success in modern day athletics at any level. Hell high schools do not even function that way anymore. _

OK... you guys win. Our fans suck.

[BrudaCajun]

_ I would be more apt to discuss a 7-5, or possible 8-4 season than a coaching change at this point.......but hey, I am a koolaid drinker from waaaaaaay back. LOL!

This gentleman from Crowley, was there some connection to him and the kids(dove hunting) put in the Mexican gulag for being at the wrong place at the wrong time a few years back???? Names shall remain anonymous to protect the innocent.

Z _

Wrong place, wrong time my arse! I went to school with their younger brothers, we were in middle school when this happened. We actually had a special prayer for them. lol

Trying to go to Boystown with guns crossing the border is not wrong place wrong time Z lmao.

Very nice, good people, don't mistake that

[CajunFreak]

"UL won against Monroe despite a list of all the things that have made this such a frustrating team to follow - questionable play-calling, penalties and turnovers topping the list.

It would have been nice if it didn't have to be that way, but it was. And UL survived.

"We put together three great games (against Illinois, Kent State and Kansas State), and I do believe that our players know now that we'll flip the page on this game that we played tonight and we'll flip the gauge back to zero and get ready for the next one," UL coach Rickey Bustle said. "It doesn't matter who you're playing, you've got to play your best game.

"We've preached it, they've bought into it and they're seeing the results that are happening."

We can debate play-calling against Monroe that limited Fenroy to six carries in the first half. Those 113 yards at halftime should have been more.

We can debate a team with a 34-16 lead not making the belly of ULM's defense pay by ramming the greatest running back in school history at it time and time again. Heck, let Mike Desormeaux keep the ball on the zone option - not throw a 55-yard pick for a score on an ill-advised out-route that allowed the Warhawks to make a game of it.

That, though, is water under the dam for one reason: UL's self-imposed adversity only created more resolve. And that resolve brought victory."

Good article. Little to early for New Orleans Bowl talk though... Still alot of football to play!

If the Defense can continue to get better and develop that nasty attitude it will get interesting.

Last nights Offense will be the story of the game but the defenses effort in the first half is what got us the win. If they don't hold ULM to those 3 FG all those record stats or for not.

[Just1More]

Good article. Little to early for New Orleans Bowl talk though... Still alot of football to play!

If the Defense can continue to get better and develop that nasty attitude it will get interesting.

Last nights Offense will be the story of the game but the defenses effort in the first half is what got us the win. If they don't hold ULM to those 3 FG all those record stats or for not. _

Dead on. I loved the quick scores, but it did not give the defense any rest. Our defense holding those 3 early scoring drives to field goals was a HUGE part of the contest.

Just as big as the "W" is what this has to do for every facet of the team's confidence. They had the proverbial BCS "moral victories" to gain a confidence boost... but winning your first conference game of the year, away, is a massive confidence builder. Coaches are primarily going to focus on cleaning up miscues and mental mistakes and keeping the group focused on the next mission. That is a far cry from having to re-think your strategy altogether.

Good times... I really love it for the young men in this program right now (and their proud family members).