The Book: 2004 FOOTBALL

[Cajun1997]

Originally posted by Turbine
Nice

Like a true lineman Jeff is blocking Ronnie.

I am trying to convince Jeff that baseball would be a wiser pursuit much easier on the body

[NewsCopy]

LOUISIANA La. — Rickey Bustle knows his team is getting better. His players feel it, too.

But it hasn’t always showed on the scoreboard, and that’s the frustrating thing for Louisiana’s third-year football coach.

The Ragin’ Cajuns are 4-6 on the season heading into Saturday’s season finale at UL Monroe (4-6). Five of those six defeats have come by a combined 33 points, while the other was a 40-20 loss at Big 12 member Kansas State.

“I’m just tired of being close,” Bustle said on Monday. “I know our players are. It’s frustrating.”

The Cajuns averaged over 21,000 fans per home game and were 3-2 at Cajun Field, so fans saw improvement despite the frustrations.

“We’ve been in every game,” Bustle said. “Maybe a year or two ago, we wouldn’t have been.”

“We’ve shown this year that we’re getting better,” said sophomore quarterback Jerry Babb, who has thrown for 2,150 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2004. “We’ve lost some close games, but last year we might not have had the opportunity to win them.

“You just have to keep plugging away. If you keep working at anything, you get better. We’ve just got to be patient. We have to find a way to score that extra touchdown or make that defensive stop.”

The latest near-miss was Saturday’s 13-10 setback to Troy University in the home finale at Cajun Field, a contest that featured a sterling defensive effort, a surprising ability to run the ball against a stout Trojan defense and critical miscues for UL.

“We played a good football game,” Bustle said. “I think it was our best defensive game. We had no idea how long it would take on some of them understanding our new scheme. There are a number of guys playing better, not giving up gaps. The defense played a heck of a game.”

The rest of the story

Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com

[NewsCopy]

LOUISIANA La. — Jerry Babb won’t say it, but he’s still playing with pain.

The Louisiana Ragin' Cajun sophomore quarterback hasn’t looked the same since injuring his back early in the fourth quarter of UL’s 27-24 homecoming victory over Arkansas State on Oct. 23.

In losses to North Texas and Troy, Babb has hit 41-of-71 passes — right at his career completion percentage of 57.3 percent — but but for just 316 yards while throwing one touchdown and four interceptions.

“It’s getting better,” Babb said of the injury. “It probably won’t be fully healed for a couple of months. It hurts when I get a direct hit on it, but the pain subsides and I’m able to keep playing.”

With Babb at the controls, the 2004 Cajuns are averaging 382 yards and 23 points per game. He remains the squad’s leading rusher, although his recent injury prompts Cajun coaches to watch warily when he takes off now.

In under two seasons, the St. Thomas More product is already in UL’s career top five in every major passing category. He started eight of 12 games in 2003 and is the unquestioned starter this season.

“Last year helped me get confident in the offense,” Babb said. “The game is still moving pretty fast, but it has slowed down some. I’m making better reads and doing a better job of moving the ball around.”

It’s not unusual for Babb to hit seven or eight receivers in any game, which keeps each potential target alert for possible action.

The rest of the story

Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com

[SacalaitSlammer]

We were for sure a lot more competitive. In the 4th quarter we had a chance to win a lot of our games. That says a lot about this season. Way to go Cajuns!!! No matter what happens this Saturday against UL-Monroe, I am looking forward to next year.

[Turbine]

Originally posted by SacalaitSlammer
We were for sure a lot more competitive. In the 4th quarter we had a chance to win a lot of our games. That says a lot about this season. Way to go Cajuns!!! No matter what happens this Saturday against UL-Monroe, I am looking forward to next year.

I'm with you Perch Jerker you are 100% on the money.

Welcome to the Rage Page

[SacalaitSlammer]

Originally posted by Turbine
I'm with you Perch Jerker you are 100% on the money.

Welcome to the Rage Page

Thanks Turbine. I definatly will be back.

[NewsCopy]

LOUISIANA La. — Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns football coach Rickey Bustle wants to send his seniors out on a winning note in Saturday’s season finale at UL Monroe.

To do that, Bustle and his staff are focusing solely on the Indians this week and putting frustrating narrow losses behind them.

After a pair of letdowns on the road at New Mexico State and Idaho in October, Bustle recognized the need for focus if his team was to be successful in its final road trip of the season.

“We shortened some periods and the players moved around well in practice,” Bustle said on Wednesday. “I told the team on Monday that we weren’t going to worry about records or anything that could have happened or should have happened because that was in the past.

“We were just going to set our focus on this weekend’s game.

“We talked about it at every meeting and at the beginning at end of every practice reminding them that we were putting all of our attention on this game.”

The rest of the story

[DrySwamp]

We've got to win this one to help team/school/fan moral for next football season.
This year's attendance was great except last game.
The basic fans (not hardcore) will go to home games when the Cajuns win!

So Cajuns let's finish with a win in football & start backing the upcoming Cajun basketball team too!


GEAUX UL!!! GEAUX CAJUNS!!!

[RaginCajun77]

A win this weekend would end the season on a high note, as well as improve upon last year's record in the win column. The casual fan is looking at the Win/Loss column for improvement they often don't see the big picture like the hardcore fans do. We are getting there it just takes time.

[Corndog308]

well, i just hate it when people say we suck when they look at only the record. they don't know how much we've improved, by not keeping up with the program. like my t-shirt says; if you don't support the cajuns, then move to baton rouge. i'm damn proud of our guys. next year will be even better. i can't wait.

[Cajun1997]

Originally posted by SwampHound
Abdule Levier had 53 yards on 7 attempts, 1 rush for 31 yards long. Wish they had played him sooner than the 3rd quarter. I do not think Lindon played and he was listed as doubtful before the game. With him out I really thought we would see what Levier could do, 7 rushes, not enough. I hope he gets 15 to 18 attempts next week.

Seems Coach Bustle feels the same way,

“Abdule Levier will get the start. We have given each one of our backs a chance to start and he’s healthy so he will get most of the carries.”
LINK

[texascajun]

im certainly biased, but I cant say this years team is better than last years team.