State of Louisiana college football previews

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Week4 vs MTSU

Louisiana's beleaguered run defense just might get a break this week against pass-happy Middle Tennessee in the Sun Belt Conference opener for both teams.

But Ragin' Cajun coach Ricky Bustle isn't ready to bet on that.

"Of course, Middle is probably looking to run the football more than they have been when they play us. Well have to try to control the run with one less secondary guy up there."

Not that Bustle doesn't expect his defense backfield to be busy chasing receivers.

"Our secondary is going to get challenged this week," said Bustle. "Middle Tennessee likes to spread the secondary out with their short passing game, and then take some shots downtown."

Blue Raiders' sophomore quarterback Clint Marks hit 27-of-37 passes for 359 yards in last week's 27-20 loss to Florida Atlantic.

His top target has been Kerry Wright, who has 18 catches for 240 yards and a touchdown, and is coming off a 73-catch, school-record 1,280-yard campaign in 2003.

The Cajuns have proven to have a passing game themselves. Jerry Babb threw for 327 yards in the 24-20 loss at Louisiana Tech. And Louisiana-Lafayette has had success on the ground, rushing for 214 yards at Kansas State.

The rest of State teams

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Week 5 vs FIU

After his team defeated Northwestern State three weeks ago, Louisiana-Lafayette coach Ricky Bustle was asked what difference winning the season opener might make for his team.

"I don't know," the third-year coach said. "This is the first time we've won one of these since I've been here."

Well, that wasn't the last first for Bustle and ULL. This week saw a couple of more - the first time the Cajuns won their Sun Belt Conference opener and the first time they have been at .500 at this point in the season in eight years.

ULL's 24-17 victory over Middle Tennessee State Saturday gave the Cajuns a 2-2 record, including 1-0 in the Sun Belt.

The last time ULL was 2-2 or better after four games was 1996. The quickest the Cajuns got to two wins in the seven seasons from 1996-2003 was seven games in 2001, and in 1997 and 2000, they never reached two wins at all.

After losing 16 of his first 19 games, ULL has won six of the last nine under Bustle, including a 4-1 finish to last year after the Cajuns started 0-7.

ULL plays three straight conference games on the road. The Cajuns won't be home again until Oct. 23.

"It doesn't get any easier," Bustle said. "We've got to know how to handle this."

The rest of the state teams

[DaddyCajun]

Three game ROAD sweep would be, S W E E T!

Lets just do it!

Good Luck Cajuns,
DaddyCajun!!!!!