The Book: 2004 FOOTBALL

[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.

[RaginFan2]

"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."

It's all about the respect! This isn't the same old UL-Lafayette, this the the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns! Smack 'em in the nose, Cajuns! Smack 'em hard & often!

[Turbine]

Kansas St. still smarting from blowout loss to Fresno St.

MANHATTAN, Kansas — Two teams stung by difficult losses meet at 1:10 p.m. today when UL Lafayette and Kansas State tangle at 50,000-seat KSU Stadium.

Coach Rickey Bustle’s Ragin’ Cajuns are nagged by the feeling that they let one get away when they ran out of time in a 24-20 loss at Louisiana Tech last weekend.

The picture is different for the Wildcats of coach Bill Snyder, who were shocked 45-21 at home by Fresno State and tumbled out of the Top 25.

Both squads need to get back on track in a hurry with conference openers next week, the Cajuns hosting Middle Tennessee and KSU headed to Texas A&M.

“That one hurt,” Cajun defensive coordinator Brent Pry said of the loss at Tech. “It took a couple of days to get over it.”

“We came back on Monday and corrected a few mistakes we made on Saturday,” offensive coordinator Rob Christophel said. “We put last week behind us on Tuesday and started getting ready for one of the top Big 12 programs the last few years.”

The rest of the story

Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com

[NewsCopy]

David Rose has worked his way into the starting lineup with a combination of speed and smarts.

MANHATTAN - Outside the intensity of a game or practice, Kansas State defensive coordinator Bob Elliott is the friendly, approachable sort. But when it comes to dealing with senior cornerback David Rose, Elliott can be especially jovial.

Hey, he never knows when he'll need a job.

"And I mean that," Elliott said. "In 15 or 20 years, David Rose is going to be a CEO for some Fortune 500 company or something. We might all end up working for him."

For now, though, Rose is fine taking orders from Elliott. Actually, he's downright thrilled because he's finally a starter.

The Wildcats had other options for the corner opposite Cedrick Williams. At 6-foot, Louis Lavender is two inches taller than Rose and started six games last season. Junior-college transfer Maurice Porter is 6-1, athletic and made the depth chart after just one spring session.

But when K-State hosts Louisiana-Lafayette today, Rose should make his third straight start, the only three starts of his career.

How has the undersized Rose done it?

"It's a hunger," he said. "This is my fourth year here, and I spent most of it sitting on the bench. That fueled my fire."

The rest of the story

BY JEFFREY PARSON

The Wichita Eagle

[Pirogue]

Z if you like K-sTATE I CAN GET YOU 31

[NewsCopy]

MANHATTAN, Ks. — Senior wide receiver B.J. Crist has been waiting a long time to contribute to University of Louisiana’s offense.

But that’s nothing like the eternity he waited for Jerry Babb’s pass to reach him so he could finish off a 39-yard touchdown against Kansas State here on Saturday.

“It was sitting up there a year in the air,” said Crist, whose first career score drew the visitors within 13-7 of the Big 12 champion Wildcats.

“It’s one of those things where you just want the ball to get down before the defender gets near you.”

“It was a bootleg,” said Babb, who rushed for 101 yards and threw for 128 in the 40-20 defeat.

“The cornerback bit up on the out route by Bill (Sampy) and they didn’t go with B.J.”

The tricky part was a 20-25 crosswind that never seemed to be coming from the same direction two plays in a row.

“With the wind, I wanted to make sure I wasn’t going to overthrow him,” Babb said. “So, I just laid it up there so he could get it. Early, the wind wasn’t blowing that hard, but it kept shifting. My receivers made some good catches.”

Crist just wanted the ball to get there.

“The easier catches are the ones that are the hardest,” Crist said. “Everybody is focused on you, waiting for you to make a big play.”

The slender senior was set back by leg and abdomen injuries in preseason, but has proven his worth on a receiving corps eager to fill in the big catches made last year by Fred Stamps.

“I was really looking forward to my senior year,” Crist said. “I wanted to be part of the team and make it happen. It has worked out so far, but I’m not done. I’m looking forward to making bigger plays.

“I want to help us win the Sun Belt Conference and go to the New Orleans Bowl. That’s our ultimate goal.”

The rest of the story

Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com

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INDIVIDUAL STATS

[NewsCopy]

Crucial fumble, dropped pass hurt UL’s chances at upset

MANHATTAN, Ks. — Two critical plays helped separate University of Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns and the Kansas State Wildcats here Saturday.

The final score was 40-20, KSU, but the Cajuns were within range of the Big 12 Conference champions before a pair of first-half miscues turned the tide.

Jerry Babb’s 39-yard touchdown pass to B.J. Crist had drawn the Cajuns to within 13-7 and the visitors forced the first punt of the game for Kansas State early in the second period.

Abdule Levier gained 11 yards on first down to the UL 44-yard line, and it looked like the Cajuns were in position to drive for the lead.

But Levier fumbled on his next carry and KSU took over on the UL 44-yard line.

The rest of the story

Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com