The Book 2008 Football

[CajunFun]

Don't students get free tickets?


Pony up the $50 and quit being babies....

I think they pay an athletics fee, whether they come or not...

And this is a University first. It should exist, first and foremost, for the kids.

I just want the U to offer them their own tailgating area.

[DestinCajun]

_ And I gotta say, the kids aren't always the best tailgating neighbors.

The ones near us were using the slot to park their camper, and then park all of their friend's cars packed in there.... even overflowing into our slot.

And they were playing loud music, blowing their horns, running a siren.

I know they were just having fun, but they were loud, crowded, and interfering with MY fun.

I mean, interfering with me BEING Fun.

Whatever. _

And then they went in the stadium and rolled all over the end zones having a grand old time - getting in the bushes, etc. All those kids and parents enjoying themselves at a Cajuns game was a FUN sight to behold.

Can we PLEASE bring back the cannon!!!!

[DestinCajun]

_ Too smart by half. How dumb can they be, snubbing a bowl in their own state? Have they no concept of political karma?

I don't want UL to play Tech in a Bowl. They're much too far above us to have to stoop to our level.

Separation, baby, separation. _

Assuming the Texsters are eligible at the end of the season, they will surely want a slot in some faraway western place in order to maintain "separation". Some place like Moose Fart, Montana would do perfect.

[levetsj]

Texas-El Paso (3-5) at Louisiana (5-3)
By Sports Network
The Sports Network
Posted: Wednesday, Nov. 05, 2008

FACTS & STATS: Site: Cajun Field (30,000) -- Lafayette, Louisiana. Television: ESPN+. Home Record: UTEP 2-3, UL 3-0. Away Record: UTEP 1-2, UL 2-3. Neutral Record: UTEP 0-0, ULL 0-0. Conference Record: UTEP 2-2, UL 4-0. Series Record: First-ever meeting.

GAME NOTES: The UL Ragin' Cajuns will step out of league action this Saturday when they host the Texas-El Paso Miners in a non-conference tilt at Cajun Field. The Miners head into this matchup in the midst of a two-game losing skid, and the latest loss for UTEP was a heartbreaking, 49-44 setback to Rice this past Saturday. The Miners have struggled away from home this season, posting a 1-2 mark, and since the 2006 campaign the Miners have posted a meager 4-11 record on the road. As for the Cajuns, they have won four consecutive matchups, including a convincing, 49-20 win over Florida International this past weekend. After going just 1-5 at Cajun Field this past season, the Cajuns have played much better at home this year, winning all three of their matchups on their home field in 2008. This will be the first- ever meeting between the two schools on the gridiron.

The Miners' offensive success can be attributed to the team's passing attack, which is producing 253.9 ypg through the air. Out of the 28 touchdowns scored by this offense, 20 have come via the pass. Overall this unit heads into this contest averaging 386.5 total ypg, and that has led to 33.0 ppg. The main reason for the success of the passing game is Trevor Vittatoe, who has thrown for 1,895 yards and 19 touchdowns against just five interceptions. Jeff Moturi has been the main option for Vittatoe, as the wideout is leading the squad with 33 receptions, 411 yards and six scores. The Miners do not possess a main tailback, but the squad does have a few options in the backfield that have helped the team rack up 132.6 rushing ypg. The last time UTEP was on the field, the squad posted 467 total yards, but still fell short against Rice. Vittatoe was impressive in the loss, throwing for 265 yards and three touchdowns, while Moturi hauled in three scores and finished the game with 109 yards on five receptions.

Unfortunately the Miners have been held back by their defensive unit, which is being abused for 483.4 total ypg, and that has led to 39.4 ppg. The team has been unable to stop the run or pass, as the opposition is gashing UTEP for 208.8 ypg, while also torching the defense for 274.6 ypg through the air. In the recent loss to Rice, the defensive backfield was embarrassed by the Owls, surrendering 376 yards and five touchdowns through the air. Overall this unit was pounded for 543 total yards, and also allowed Rice to convert all five of its red zone chances. Adam Vincent racked up 12 tackles in the setback, while DaMon Cromartie-Smith added nine stops for UTEP.

The Cajuns' offense is fueled by its tremendous ground game, which is pounding the opposition for 301.2 rushing ypg, and out of the 39 touchdowns scored by the Cajuns, 28 have come via the run. Overall this unit is producing 491.5 total ypg, and that has led to 37.4 ppg. The main reason for the success of the rushing attack has been the play of Tyrell Fenroy, who became just the seventh player in college history to rush for over 1,000 yards for four consecutive seasons. Fenroy currently has 1,051 yards on the season and has scored 15 touchdowns as well. Quarterback Michael Desormeaux has also contributed to the ground game, rushing for 752 yards and five scores on 7.5 ypg. However, the signal caller has only thrown for 1,292 yards and eight scores against five interceptions. Fenroy helped lead the Cajuns in the win over FIU, as the tailback rushed for 81 yards and three scores, while Desormeaux added 44 yards in the victory. Desormeaux also threw for 216 yards and two scores for UL.

Unfortunately the defensive unit has not been very successful this season, as opponents are abusing UL for 419.5 total ypg, and that has led to 31.4 ppg. The team's main problem has come against the run, as teams are gashing the Cajuns for 208.9 rushing ypg, and out of the 27 TDs allowed by this unit, 15 have come via the run. This defense has also been unable to force many big plays, as the unit has collected just 13 takeaways, while recording only 13 sacks. Surprisingly in the win over FIU, the defense was outstanding, limiting the Golden Panthers to just 270 total yards, including just 117 rushing yards. UL forced three turnovers in the victory, and also tallied two sacks. Daylon McCoy led the way for UL with 10 tackles, while Antwyn Zanders added five stops and 1.5 TFLs.

The Miners will definitely have success with their passing attack in this matchup, but the Cajuns have one of the top ground games in the nation, and should run away with a victory in this contest.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: UL 45, UTEP 38

[cajun4life]

Desormeaux says he's sore, but ready: Louisiana-Lafayette quarterback Michael Desormeaux said he's not quite 100 percent from the sprained knee he suffered in the fourth quarter against North Texas on Oct. 11, but that the play of his teammates is taking the pressure off.

Desormeaux, who played last week against Florida International, is major part of the nation's best running game.

"It's one of those things that's kind of nagging and stuff like that," Desormeaux said of his knee. "I have guys that are making a lot of plays around me right now, so that makes me feel a lot better about it. You don't have to do so much."

per Graham Watson in non-BCS blogs

[CajunCherokee]

Nice

[wcd35]

Geez they sure like to talk about abused defenses. Someone didn't have a good childhood.

Seriously, people will continue to judge our defense based on averages, even though our unit has been wayyy better in the last few weeks.

[Hammer58]

"Its just a flesh wound"

[Sonsissymia]

_ "Its just a flesh wound" _

agreed; he'll be serpentining.

[Bankruptcyman]

Since the Techsters love the WAC, I think they ought to move the whole school to Moose Fart, Montana and be called Louisiana Tech at Moose Fart (and the legislature would make sure they included "Moose Fart" on any official references). Moose Fart Montana would certainly be better geographically to play in the WAC.

[cjr3888]

I have heard that Moose Fart, Montana is lovely this time of year.


igeaux.mobi

[Kal]

Just pour some "tussin" on it.