Day 3

The Cajuns began practice on Saturday afternoon outside on the practice fields. The threat of lightning forced the team to move inside the Leon Moncla Indoor Practice Facility less than 10 minutes after completing their stretching exercises.

The team stayed inside for the remainder of practice due to lightning detected in the area.

"I'm very pleased with how we practiced today," defensive coordinator Kevin Fouquier said. "We came out with a great attitude and moved around extremely well."

Saturday's practice with shoulder pads was the first for the team this fall. The players, especially the defense, started practice with contact and tackling drills.

"The defense was aggressive," Fouquier added. "We have to come out aggressive the first day in shoulder pads."

The final 25 minutes of practice was devoted to a pair of team periods pitting the offense against the defense for the first time this fall. Both sides made plays, but the defense held the offense in check. The offense was unable to make any big players and surrendered multiple sacks.

"Our offense continues to work hard," Fouquier stated. "But the defense competed really well (in the team period).

"I think the players understand our defensive schemes and stayed with their assignments. We stopped the run, kept the ball in front of us and didn't give up any big plays."

Practice ended with some field goals, the first of which was blocked by Orkeys Auriene. The whistle then blew the play dead, but Dwight Bentley would have surely returned the ball for a touchdown.

The Cajuns will not practice on Sunday, returning to the field on Monday afternoon. Tuesday's practice will be the first in full pads as the Cajuns start preparing for their first scrimmage next Saturday morning.


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