He’s been a big part of the turnaround for the UL defense, one that vaulted the Ragin’ Cajuns not only into last Saturday’s Sun Belt Conference championship game but also into the Dec. 15 Cure Bowl in Orlando.

So what did inside linebacker Justin Middleton do to come on so strong, especially in the later half of a season that will end with the Ragin’ Cajuns playing Tulane in their sixth bowl game in eight years?