For those of you who suggest this defense sucks (and several of you did during this thread), let's do a statistical comparison.
Caleb Evans is the most dynamic player in the Sun Belt Conference.
LAST YEAR VS. ULM
Evans 23-34, 345 yards, one touchdown
Evans 16 carries, 129 yards FIVE touchdowns
THIS YEAR VS. ULM
Evans 15-24, 201 yards, two touchdowns one interception
Evans 13 carries 24 yards
LAST YEAR VS. ULM
Evans 474 yards total offense, six touchdowns responsible
THIS YEAR VS. ULM
Evans 225 yards, one touchdowns responsible
LAST YEAR VS. ULM
Cajun defense gave up 526 yards
THIS YEAR VS. ULM
Cajun defense gave up 344 yards
LAST YEAR VS. ULM
Cajun defense no sacks
THIS YEAR VS. ULM
Cajun defense 3 sacks for -20
LAST YEAR VS. ULM
Cajun defense forced no turnovers
THIS YEAR VS. ULM
Cajun defense forced two turnovers
LAST YEAR: Cajuns' defense gave up 43 points in regulation (56 total)
THIS YEAR: Cajuns' defense gave up 21 points
We did this starting two walkons (Malbrue and Wallace were awarded scholarships after the spring game) and a converted WR on defense.
For those of you who wonder about the timing on using Levi Lewis...Lewis ALWAYS plays on the fourth series of each half. He generated ten points on his two drives Saturday. His touchdown pass to Mitchell was his sixth of the year. He has thrown one interception.
Nunez knows when Lewis is coming in. Him sitting out a series does not mess with anything because he's more mentally tough than that.
ULM was among the league leaders in TFL. We saw that in the second half. Their run defense is ridiculously improved since last year.
But our defense has come light years since the beginning of the season. And, I would say the game ball yesterday goes to the Louisiana defense for their ability to make Evans ordinary.
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About the cigars:
The Cajuns brought 156 cigars to Monroe. They lit em up after the game.
In the locker room celebration, Napier said "Smoke em if you got em!"
I'm sure ULM will have something in their craw about that, just as they did with Hud throwing a touchdown pass on the last play of the game in 2012.
But who cares?