The Book: 2004 FOOTBALL

[ATXCajun]

Well the numbers say we should just roll over and die...but I think our boys are above all that ~~~~ now. Sproles might run all day, but if we can lock it down in the red zone we will have a chance again this week.

[Turner]

This is already a GREAT STORY, if Jesse Newman makes it to the CFL or NFL it is an even better one.

[TheFan]

This does not look good for the cajuns

[Cajun1997]

Originally posted by ATXCajun
It looked like the problem with Levier against La Tech was his inability to pick up the blitz on pass plays. That will change as he gets a better grip on things. For now, I would use him only in certain situations so that Jerry doesn't get killed.

I saw the same thing, not only with him but some of our other younger players. They will get better

[Cajun1997]

Bordelon was a backup and has been out since the season started.

[NewsCopy]

Without question, the biggest victory in University of Louisiana football history was the 29-22 triumph over Texas A&M on Sept. 14, 1996, before 38,783 at Cajun Field.

The Aggies were ranked No. 25 at the time, and euphoria swept over fans as they tore down goal posts and marched out of Cajun Field like ants swarming on an ant hill.

It remains UL’s only victory over a ranked team in 103 years of football.

They’ve been a little short on big ones since then, but if coach Rickey Bustle’s squad can pull off an upset on Saturday at Kansas State then the A&M game will have some competition.

It is true that the Wildcats are not ranked this week. Last Saturday’s stunning 45-21 home loss to Fresno State dropped KSU from the Top 25 in both polls.

But this is the same program that thumped previously unbeaten Oklahoma 35-7 in last year’s Big 12 championship game, and is again favored to capture the Big 12 North this season.

Winning 10 or more games in a season is nothing to the Wildcats, who have played in 12 straight bowl games under Bill Snyder.

Heisman Trophy candidate Darren Sproles is an All-American at running back on this KSU squad.

A couple of years ago, cornerback Terence Newman was a No. 1 draft pick of the Dallas Cowboys.

In fact, the Wildcats have had 23 players drafted by the NFL since 1999.

Bustle was right this week in calling the game “a program game. If we win this one, we’ll be in every newspaper in the country.”

The rest of the story

Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com

[NewsCopy]

MANHATTAN - With all the shifts in the Kansas State lineup this week, safety Maurice Mack wasn't exactly sure where he'd find himself positioned on the depth chart.

As it turned out, the 6-foot, 190-pound sophomore was even with Marcus Patton at strong safety and will likely get his first career start in Saturday's game against Louisiana-Lafayette.

"I guess that's just the game plan that Coach wants," Mack said. "If you go in and bust your butt and do what you're supposed to do at practice and game time, if you show it, it adds on to what you've already been doing. This is the type of system where the coaches have to notice it, and you'll get your chance.

"I guess I got mine."

Mack makes the switch to strong safety after spending the first two weeks of the season as the backup to free safety Jesse Tetuan. It's a switch defensive coordinator Bob Elliott said fits Mack.

"Because of our own issues in the secondary, Maurice has had to play both positions, almost from the beginning of training camp," Elliott said. "He's a pretty good football player, and I think he can do both of those things."

Elliott is looking for a strong safety to take on the difficult task of replacing last season's starter, Rashad Washington. He was ideally suited with the playmaking abilities that Elliott loves to see in his secondary.

The rest of the story

BY LEVI WOLTERS

Wichita Eagle correspondent

[NewsCopy]

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Louisiana-Lafayette might have picked a very bad time to visit Kansas State.

The Wildcats were embarrassed, bewildered and stripped of their national ranking last week in a 45-21 loss to Fresno State.

It was Kansas State's worst non-conference loss in 13 years, dropping the Wildcats (1-1) from their No. 13 ranking — and putting them in a foul mood for Saturday's game against the underdog Ragin' Cajuns.

"Everybody is going to be banging. I'm sure we'll step it up. It will test our character, definitely," said guard Gerard Spexarth. "It always does when you have to bounce back from a big loss like that, especially at home. This week will be a huge stepping stone. If we can come back from that, we can come back from anything."

The Ragin' Cajuns (1-1) know they'll be in for a fight with the demoralized defending Big 12 champions.

"They are going to be in a bad mood when we get there, but this is a program-defining game," said coach Rickey Bustle. "We are not supposed to win, but if you go in there and win, you are in every newspaper in the country."

Louisiana, which returned 12 starters from the 2003 squad that finished 4-8, has won five of its last seven overall. Quarterback Jerry Babb has passed for more than 500 yards in just two games this season, including 327 in a 24-20 loss last week at Louisiana Tech.

But Kansas State's Darren Sproles, who might have more right to be mad than any other member of the team, could be in for a big day.

The Wildcats' Heisman Trophy contender, who was held to a humiliating 37 yards by Fresno State, will be facing a run defense that ranks No. 106 nationally.

"Outside of a win, I want us to be able to play faster, harder, to be more fundamentally sound, and I want us to be better conditioned," coach Bill Snyder said.

The rest of the story

The Associated Press
Time Picayune

[NewsCopy]

WHEN/WHERE: 1:10 p.m. Saturday at KSU Stadium

SERIES: It's been 10 years since these two met for the only time. K-State defeated the Ragin' Cajuns 34-6 on Sept. 3, 1994.

FAVORITE: K-State by 31

K-State Sproles needs a boost in his sagging Heisman Trophy hopes after last week, when he rushed for 37 yards in 11 carries. Louisiana is allowing 240.5 yards rushing, which ranks it 106th in the nation.

Louisiana, has blocked a field goal in both its games this year. Tackle Ken Haynes was credited with both.

The Ragin' Cajuns rank higher nationally in total offense (No. 71) than K-State (No. 72).

Twelve starters returned this season from a squad that went 4-8 in 2003. That includes quarterback Jerry Babb, who threw for 327 yards at Louisiana Tech last weekend.

48 It's just two games, but that's where K-State is ranked nationally in total defense — unheard of around Wildcat land.

The game might not be beautiful but the weather will be. Fans can expect to see sunny skies and temperatures in the low- to mid-80s.

K-State will be happy if quarterback Dylan Meier can complete a full game, and if the Wildcats can prove they have the ability to recover from a lopsided defeat.

K-State will be sad if the unexpected happens — such as if the Ragin' Cajuns spring a major upset. If K-State fixed its problems, the possibility of an upset should be minimal.

The source of the info

[Jason]

UL Lafayette (1-1) at Kansas State (1-1) -- Saturday at 7 p.m. ET

Why to watch: Well this should be interesting. Kansas State has flat out stunk in its first two games struggling to get by mighty Western Kentucky and getting blasted by Fresno State. In comes UL Lafayette for an apparent cupcake game, but the Ragin' Cajuns aren't playing all that poorly. If Kansas State is any good, it wins by 40. But that's a big if.

Why UL Lafayette might win: Kansas State isn't above giving the ball away, and UL Lafayette forces turnovers taking away seven in the first two games. The defense has bent, but hasn't broken much only allowing 15.5 points per game saved by some key stops. With the Wildcat offense sputtering, ULL has a chance to keep this close if it can force a few breaks.

Why Kansas State might win: UL Lafayette knew Louisiana Tech RB Ryan Moats was going to be the featured offensive weapon and he still rumbled for 257 yards. Darren Sproles was held in check by Fresno State, but he isn't going to have two bad games in a row.

Who to watch: Where are you Ell Roberson? This could be a long year if Kansas State QBs Allen Webb and Dylan Meier don't turn things around in a big hurry. Meier, who'll get the start, has been an O.K. dual threat but has already thrown three interceptions and hurt his hand against the Bulldogs. Webb hasn't fared much better rushing for 44 yards and throwing for 43 with a touchdown and an interception. Fresno State all but thumbed its nose at the Wildcat passing game and Sproles was held to 37 yards. There's a shot freshman Allan Evridge will come in if there isn't more production, but that would cost him a redshirt season.

What will happen: Kansas State needs to break out at some point, but it hasn't shown any indication that it can. It'll be a Wildcat win, but there's no indication that things are back to the good old says of the easy blowout. However, this is still UL Lafayette we're talking about.

Must See Rating: (5 lock yourself in a room to watch - 1 The Benefactor) ... 1.5

Line: Kansas State -31.5

Fearless Prediction: Kansas State 48 ... UL Lafayette 6

http://msn.foxsports.com/story/2903592

[1stTake]

"Kansas State isn't above giving the ball away, and UL Lafayette forces turnovers taking away seven in the first two games."

Hey thats what I'm talking about.

[Zeebart21]

OOOhhhhhh, a 42 pt spread...

Excuse me while I call my bookie...

Z.