The Book: 2004 FOOTBALL

[CajunCharlie]

Bird, I don't necessarily want to eliminate, or discourage 065 from posting. I believe that he should not, as you stated, make accusations that are unfounded. If it is an opinion, that word should be included in the statement. The FACT is that Ricky Bustle will do everything possible, withing the established rules and regulations, to provide this University with a competitive championship football team. He is man of integrity. Ask him a question and he will give you a "straight up" answer. No wishy washy, BS answer, period!!!!!

[texascajun]

Here we go. My 2 cents on the 2004 kicker update.

Kyle Stringer (Humble,Tx) chose Boise St less than a week after he verbally committed to UL. He told me that Boise promised him a scholarship that would "free up soon" if he walked on. Plus, their kicker was a senior [unlike Comiskey-soph]. He decided to go to Boise...overuled his parents opinion.

Charlie Lee (Deer Park, TX) Preferred walk-on with tons of potential. Had a stronger leg than Sean- but not as accurate. Extremely homesick -close family and 3 year girlfriend. Away from football, he was not enjoying college. Decided to go home.

Lucas Murphy (STM) all the potential in the world- but his heart was never in football. Struggled in the classroom and underperformed on the field. Quit after (then Freshman) Comiskey solidified his position as the kicker.

Mike Mayeaux (So Miss) Transfer that backed up Autrey last year. In practice last year, Mike was inconsistent but when he got a hold of one--- he got a hold of one. Never competed in a game. {Punting in practice is nothing like in a game}

David Schexnayder (AD's Son) walk-on WR that wasnt fast enough... then TE that wasnt strong enough... then a punter that starts. If anything he was persistent. Good hands {wont bobble snaps} and raw punting skills.

Both Mike & Dave got a shot at the job. Coach Bustle & Coach Gibson {in charge of the Punt Team} will always put the guys out there that they trust. Early in the season they believed in playing the older Mayeaux... but he struggled. Then decided to give Schex a shot and he has done as good of a job. I believe the future is in mind too. Schexnayder has never been in Academic uncertainty... cant say the same for Mike. If anything their preparing for next seasons roster.

Edminston has a leg. I expect him to KO and punt next year.

we have a 34.6 yd average on the year. Schexnayder averages 35.4 yds (19 punts). Mayeaux averages 33.7 (17 punts). Schex has 7 inside the 20 - Mike has 4. Schex's long is 51 - Mike's is 55.

I dont think there's an issue here. And I know personally that just because your dad is in the Football Complex does not mean you will start on the field.

[CajunCharlie]

Thanks, TC. That should put this issue to bed. Things were getting out of hand. I appreciate your "cool head" prevailing.

[DaddyCajun]

Hope Babb is ok and comes back with fire in his eyes!!

[RaisingCajun08]

According to Stevie P this morning, Babb will be ready for NT. If we would have had a game this coming week, Babb would probably be ready to play.

[RaisingCajun08]

Mayeux can punt the ball farther than anyone on the team but has trouble under pressure.

I think Edminson would be our punter but we need him to redshirt so he can eventually take over for Cominskey after he graduates.

[Turbine]

I'm not trying to stoke the flames and I don't know who is best but I sure liked the play by Venable and Mayeux where Venable got downfield against Northwestern. VIDEO LINK

If I'm not mistaken Mike Mayeaux was special forces player of the week in week-1 and I am glad he is on the team.

[Cajun065]

SORRY ABOUT CAPS BIRD. I'M NOT POSTING TO CAUSE TROUBLE OR INSULT THE INTEGRITY OF THE COACHES. I'M POSTING MY OPINION AND WHAT I SEE AND HEAR. I BELIEVE THERE IS AN ISSUE HERE AND MY POINT IS SIMPLY IF MAYEUX WAS BENCHED FOR HAVING 1 BAD GAME AGAINST LA. TECH AND A BAD GAME AGAINST K-STATE (34YDS INTO A 22-32MPH WIND). WHY WAS SCHEXNAYDER NOT BENCHED FOR HAVING A 28YRD AVG. AGAINST F.I.U. AND A 33YRD. AVG.AGAINST IDAHO. IN MY OPINION MAYEUX WAS YANKED TO SOON. IN MY OPINION IF THEY WOULD HAVE LET HIM PUNT AGAINST THE TEAMS SHEXNAYDER PUNTED AGAINST, MAYEUX WOULD HAVE DONE A MUCH BETTER JOB BECAUSE THERE WAS ALLOT MORE TIME TO GET THE BALL OFF AND BETTER BLOCKING. BY FAR MAYEUX HAS THE STRONGER LEG. TO ANSWER TEXASCAJUNS ACADEMIC UNCERTANTY INUENDO THE OFFICE THOUGHT HE DIN'T HAVE ENOUGH HOURS BECAUSE THEY FORGOT TO ADD HIS HOURS FROM S.MISS..

[NewsCopy]

On last week’s game and crowd support…
“I am very excited about the fans that have come to our games. It’s been a high turnout.”

“Our players were very excited about playing at home. And to know these folks haven’t given up on us is exciting. The student body was great with their thunder sticks. At the end of the game it was loud.”

“It was an electrifying place to be. That’s what we want. We want ‘The Swamp ’ to be a tough place to play. It really helps our players and they appreciate having so many people here.”

“Looking at the game film it was like two different games. We played really well in the first half, but didn’t execute well before half. The thing I wanted to get across to these players is that we have to finish games. I thought overall that our defense played better.”

On long run…
“I’ve never seen anything like that in my 27 years. I do think the momentum stopped, but that knee didn’t touch and that elbow didn’t touch.”

“It was one of those fluke things that happen and I’m just glad it didn’t decide the game.

On fourth down call at end of the game…
“I did not want to kickoff into the wind and our kickoff team has given up big runs the past couple of weeks.”

“There was a lot of thoughts going on but knowing that they had a long way to go with no timeouts. They were playing for the field goal. But it turned out ok.”

On final drive by ASU…
“I think on that last drive we really only made one big mistake, when (Terryl) Fenton went for the interception. We did a nice job of keeping them in bounds when we could. They weren’t just running through us all night. I felt like our defense showed patience. We got the one big sack form Travis Bass. The kids got excited and jumped off the pile and I would have liked them to stay on the pile.”

On special teams…
“We did a sky kick one time and we had three people let him break contain. We just have to get people who aren’t afraid to make a mistake. We need to just let them cut loose and go tackle somebody.”

“Our other special teams had a big play with Mike (Adams) blocking that kick. When we block from one side there is another guy running across the line looking for the blocked ball.”

“You change the momentum on special teams a lot quicker than you can offensively or defensively.”

“They were about to go up three nothing and we get that block and are up 7-0”

On the week off…
“I don’t think it could have come at a better time. Hopefully we’ll give some guys a rest. It comes at a great time for us.”

“We are excited about our week off. We are going to get some people healed up. I’m going to practice Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday instead of Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. We’ll come in on Sunday and treat it like a Monday.”

On North Texas televised game…
“They bring a championship attitude and a championship football team. We’re excited we play them here on national TV. Everybody is going to have to play well to win this football game.”

“We’re playing a team that knows how to win. We are going to have to get ready to play a great football game”

“When you get your University or football team out to the rest of the country it is worth so much money just for people recognizing the Ragin’ Cajuns name. Any time you put that in front of 36 million homes you can’t buy that kind of exposure.”

“We’ll be the only game on. If anybody wants to watch a college game they are going to watch us.”

“I want to do some things better against the looks we are going to see.”

On home win streak…
“I think playing at home does it for us. When you take care of business these streaks happen. The players wanted to win it for our people and our students.”

“I think that there is an excitement about or football team. It is catching. We still have to promote it and push it, but there is a fever that is catching.”

LOUISIANA SI

[NewsCopy]

LAFAYETTE — This week’s open date comes at a good time for the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns.

The Cajuns squared their record at 4-4 with last Saturday’s 27-24 homecoming win over Arkansas State, and now have extra time to prepare for a nationally-televised Nov. 5 home date with three-time Sun Belt Conference champion North Texas.

With starting quarterback Jerry Babb and senior safety Antwain Spann both hurt in the ASU game, the extra time will be beneficial.

“We’re excited about having a week off,” coach Rickey Bustle said on Monday. “Antwain is sore, and Jerry is very sore. And (defensive back) Michael Adams was in the training room yesterday.”

Spann injured his shoulder in the first half on Saturday and did not return to action, although he could have played if needed.

Babb suffered a bruised back on a scramble three plays into the fourth quarter and did not finish the game.

Adams, whose first quarter blocked field goal led to Terryl Fenton’s 80-yard return and a 7-0 UL lead, remained in action.

“We’ve been a little beat up the last couple of weeks, so this comes at a good time,” Bustle said. “We may be able to get (defensive lineman) Curtis Isaac (broken hand) back, and (linebacker) Stanley Smith can get a rest with his (broken) hand.”

When Babb went out, junior Luke Sniewski ran the Cajun offense. Twice he was backed up near his own goal and told to hand the ball off, but when he got some room to operate he hit Bill Sampy with a crucial 42-yard pass play to help seal the win.

The rest of the story

Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com

[Pup]

I never meant to get you upset. You are supposed to avoid the appearance of impropriety.

[BirdofParadise]

While I understand your frustration, you cannot suggest that Schexnayder is getting preferential treatment because of who is father is and then in the same breath say that you aren't questioning the integrity of the coaching staff.