The Book: 2004 FOOTBALL

[Turbine]

Evidently you are judged buy the company you keep.

"The run-oriented Demons utilize three running backs, led by hard-running junior Derrick Johnese, who has 2,009 career rushing yards through 25 games. The 5-10, 210-pound Johnese totaled 126 yards on 13 carries in NSU's 14-7 season-opening loss at Division I-AA Louisiana-Lafayette after missing nearly two weeks of preseason camp because of an ankle sprain. He had 115 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries a year ago in the Demons' 23-7 win over JSU."
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[NewsCopy]

Smith committed to Bulldogs before choosing Cajuns

LOUISIANA La. -- Had circumstances been different four years ago, Stanley Smith would probably wear a Louisiana Tech jersey at 6 p.m. today at Joe Aillet Stadium. Smith, the starting University of Louisiana at Lafayette middle linebacker, committed in 2000 to play football at Tech.

However, Smith recalls newly hired ULL head coach Jerry Baldwin and Cordell Bailey, his Ferriday High coach, establishing a recruiting double team he couldn't avoid.

"What changed my mind (about Tech) was coach Baldwin coming here and coach Bailey, who was hired as an assistant (at ULL)," Smith said. "With coach Bailey coaching me in high school and coach Baldwin from Ferriday, I was pretty much signed, sealed and delivered after that."

When Tech and ULL kick off for the 85th time, Smith will be a senior leader of a ULL defense that has a tough job.

Tech, known for its long line of great passers, now has a complementary running game featuring Ryan Moats, a 209-pound junior running back.

Moats gained 257 yards on 33 carries in Tech's season opener Monday in Ruston against the University of Nevada.

Smith was among many who saw Moats run for all the yardage before a national TV audience.

"He's a real quick runner with good balance and a good center of gravity. If we want to stop (Moats), we have to run to the ball and make plays," Smith said. "That's what this new (4-3 defense) does for us. We're not as manned-up now. We just let loose and make plays now.

"We don't have to make a lot of reads with the blockers and track the ball."

Smith said what makes Moats so effective is junior quarterback Donald Allen, who is a solid runner and passer.

"I played against (Allen) when we were in high school. He has quick feet and his arm is good," Smith said. "From what I recall, Donald Allen is just a good all-around athlete. I think he also played soccer in high school."

Allen only had to pass eight times in the 38-21 win over Nevada, but he completed five of the attempts for 101 yards.

Returning to north Louisiana at a stadium where he almost played has made tonight's game a bit special, said Smith.

The rest of the story

By BOBBY ARDOIN
Special to The Advocate

[BabbForHeisman]

I am leaving for Ruston in T-minus 2.5 hours!!!!!!!

Who else is going?

[1stTake]

This is tough, the Cajuns had no right being in this game except for one thing. THEY WERE!!!!!!!!!!! Like I said this was tough because we could have won. I don't know what happened at the end.

[Cajun1997]

this was one of the best games I have seen in a long time. Our guys went down 17-0 but never gave up, came back and almost pulled the upset. Ryan Moats for LaTech is one hell of a running back. Despite the loss I am proud of our team and the game they played tonight.

[1stTake]

All I want to remember is how UL put up 20 points to techs 7 after spotting them 17. It's a loss but just look at the last few losses agaist Tech, and you will feel a lot better. DANG we could have won

[1stTake]

I didn't go I thought it was going to be a blowout

[RaginRash]

Moats will be on crutches by mid season at this rate. I can hear the "fire Bicknell!" crys from NeckVille already. Damn we should have pulled this off. Geaux Cajuns!!!!!

[Cajun1997]

I went over to BB&B to see what they were saying about the game. Their post just reminded me why I despise them. Did you know we just lost by 4 to a potiential future Big East member?

[CAJUNJUDO]

....lol.....Tech a Big East member???

I grew up in Pennsylvania as a die hard Big Ten and Big East fan. Since coming here I'm also a die hard Cajuns/Sun Belt fan.

I realilze the Big East is not the football power that it used to be but I wouldn't expect them to add an OK football team with a poor basketball program.