The Book: 2004 FOOTBALL

[NewsCopy]

Used to blocking, Cajun fullback did enjoy 36-yard gallop

LOUISIANA La. — It’s called the Middle Drill, something every football team does on a regular basis to determine how serious players are about commanding the trenches.

Linemen, running backs and linebackers converge in a limited area, kicking up dust, amping up adrenalin and pumping up the volume.

If the back squeezes through with the ball, it’s a badge of honor.

If not, it’s cause for celebration by the defense.

It’s always a popular part of the day for Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns, whose spirited drill on Tuesday was typical of the mood heading into Saturday’s Sun Belt Conference opener against Middle Tennessee at Cajun Field.

It’s not unusual to find senior fullback Travis Cones mixing it up in the Middle Drill, hurling his 225 pounds into the nearest defensive end or linebacker to clear a path. And, if that contact is maintained 10 yards down the field, so be it.

That’s pretty much Cones’ life with the Cajuns, a blue collar-type assignment devoid of fame and glory.

Every now and then, though, the Navarro Junior College product gets to touch the ball. Last Saturday at Kansas State, Cones rambled for 36 yards on one carry and 11 on another. Since he totalled 31 yards on eight carries in 2003, the KSU game was a breakthrough.

“That felt good, obviously,” Cones said on Tuesday. “I wish I could do it a little more often.”

The rest of the story

Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com

[NewsCopy]

MURFREESBORO — MTSU will be without a key player on both sides of the ball when the Blue Raiders travel to Louisiana-Lafayette on Saturday for their Sun Belt Conference opener.

Starting wide receiver Pedro Holiday is out with a left hamstring injury, which he suffered while trying to block a punt in last Saturday's game against Florida Atlantic. Holiday could return the following week against North Texas.

Starting linebacker Jonathan Bonner, the team's second-leading tackler last year, may be lost for the season with a neck injury.

Yesterday, starting tailback Eugene Gross was cleared to practice today and expected to play this week. He suffered a sprained ankle in the first quarter and sat out the remainder of the Florida Atlantic game.

''Hopefully we'll get Pedro back in a week or two. Bonner, it looks like right now, is lost for the season,'' Coach Andy McCollum said. ''We'll find out the extent of his injury in the next day or two. We're glad to be getting Gross and Lee Baker back out there. They're still a little tender but they should be okay.''


Baker, the No. 2 tailback, injured his foot during the Florida Atlantic game but was able to return and play in the fourth quarter.

Losing Bonner was a big blow, but sophomore Marcel Horne did a solid job stepping in last week. He finished as the team's leading tackler with 10 stops, all solos.

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MIKE ORGAN

[Jason]

can we get a link to this great info or is it a secret?

[Oldman]

1st in the case of MT #3 pass offense....Naaaa! i wouldn't put much stock in that, although they have a good receiver, but i believe in our secondary can get the job done, and if you guys think that the coaches are not seeing to it that our run defense make corrections then you haven't learned much yet considering the improvements. Now! our offense can move and will move the ball, also remember this (and i don't here anyone ever talking about this)teams have to spend alot of time working on defending out special team play especially punt/field goal blocking, and i trust our coaches to have our guys ready to play. WE MUST LEARN TO BELIEVE, "GEAUX CAJUNS."

[TheFan]

I am with you on that one oldman.

GEAUX CAJUNS

[RaginFan2]

Sure! Here it is: < http://www.geocities.com/randy_mac_2000/ >

[CajunNation]

If McCollum has half a brain, they will run it until we show them we can stop them.

[KimoSC]

It is interesting to note that of the 11 D1-A conferences, all but 3 have winning records against OOC opponents this season. The MWC, MAC & SBC have the losing records, with the MWC having an 8-12 record. The MAC (7-29) and the Sunbelt(4-17) have far and away the most losses.

What you'd probably also see is more road games than home games. One thing I don't like about the way D-1 football is evolving is how the power programs and conferences are allowed to load up thier OOC schedules with home games, mainly against non-BCS schools. It's practically impossible for non-BCS schools to gain recognition when they're practically guaranteed a couple of OOC losses.

I think that the NCAA should mandate a balanced schedule, otherwise the non-BCS schools of the world will be forever fighting an uphill battle towards winning records and bowls, and the gap between the haves and have-nots will continue to widen.

[CajunNation]

Originally posted by KimoSC
It is interesting to note that of the 11 D1-A conferences, all but 3 have winning records against OOC opponents this season. The MWC, MAC & SBC have the losing records, with the MWC having an 8-12 record. The MAC (7-29) and the Sunbelt(4-17) have far and away the most losses.

What you'd probably also see is more road games than home games. One thing I don't like about the way D-1 football is evolving is how the power programs and conferences are allowed to load up thier OOC schedules with home games, mainly against non-BCS schools. It's practically impossible for non-BCS schools to gain recognition when they're practically guaranteed a couple of OOC losses.

I think that the NCAA should mandate a balanced schedule, otherwise the non-BCS schools of the world will be forever fighting an uphill battle towards winning records and bowls, and the gap between the haves and have-nots will continue to widen.

The teams that will make up the SBC in 2005 have an OOC record of 7-9

That includes wins over the Big-12/'05 CUSA/MAC/WAC

[Cajun1997]

Originally posted by HOTBOUDIN
The teams that will make up the SBC in 2005 have an OOC record of 7-9

That includes wins over the Big-12/'05 CUSA/MAC/WAC

Very good point. I like to look at the conference as it will be next season. FAU & FIU will help us in more ways than one vs. having Idaho, NMSU and USU.