The Book: 2007 Football

[UL_Cajuns]

I am not jumping ship at all, but I still say it was a horrible call to go for it on 4th and 7 with 10:00 min. to go. That was the turning point.

Geaux UL!!

[NewsCopy]

For want of a couple more yards. For the second straight week, UL's Ragin' Cajun football team came up two yards short, and the result was a second straight loss. This time, though, it was even more painful, with a fumble that may not have been ending the last gasp and allowing Ohio University to escape with a 31-23 comeback win in front of 22,186 at Cajun Field. The Cajuns (0-2), after watching a 20-10 halftime lead slip away, drove from their own 21 down to Ohio's 12-yard line in the final seconds needing a touchdown and a two-point conversion to force overtime. Then, Michael Desormeaux completed a crossing pattern to Louis Lee, who battled his way down to the Bobcat 2. At that point, though, Lee was stopped and hit by cornerback Julian Posey, the ball came loose and tackle Landon Cohen made the recovery to end UL's last threat. Never mind that Lee's knee was down before the fumble - confirmed by local television and a still photo. The game was lost when Ohio (2-0) was able to turn the momentum in the second half. "We gave up too many big plays and we didn't get points in the second half," said Cajun coach Rickey Bustle. "We gave up way too many third downs." The rest of the story Dan McDonald dmcdonald@theadvertiser.com

[NewsCopy]

There's something to be said for learning how to win. UL's football team better learn that lesson in a hurry. The Cajuns came up tantalizingly short for a second straight weekend, but this time there's not one thing that the squad can point to as the difference in winning and losing ... the difference between a 1-1 record with momentum and an 0-2 mark going into an emotional contest against McNeese State next Saturday. Last weekend, the problem was obvious. In the 28-14 loss at South Carolina, UL twice couldn't punch in scores inside the five-yard-line in the fourth quarter and the Gamecocks were able to hang on - and follow up with an upset win over Georgia on Saturday. This time, that point of emphasis wasn't there in the 31-23 loss to Ohio's Bobcats. It was spread around, with the Cajuns misfiring in a bevy of different areas. An offense that clicked throughout the first half didn't maintain that consistency after halftime. UL's defense busted coverages too many times and appeared to wear down in the final quarter when Ohio reverted to its bread-and-butter running game. The rest of the story Dan McDonald dmcdonald@theadvertiser.com

[Cats82]

That was one exciting game last night. Louisiana has an explosive offense, and I'm certain that you'll make a lot of noise in the Sun Belt this season. You guys are a class bunch, and we look forward to both team and fans visiting Athens next year.

Just curious, were there many/any Ohio fans there last night?

[Turbine]

I had the opportunity to talk to BobCat fans after the game near the busses I would guess about 100-150.

There were some BobCat fans from Oklahoma and Sullfer Louisiana that boosted the numbers.

There was a large group of Ohio fans that went over to Baja Beach Grill (a UL Almnus establishment) and said they had never had so much fun (and this was before the game) on a road trip.

I thought the fans were classy in victory when many of the Ohio players went huddle with the UL players at midfield after the game.

I was in the endzone at the end of the regulation and the acting job that got a celebration penalty after the non fumble was a bit over the top. But hey the refs bit and that is what counts.

I hope you have a great season. UL (played) opponents are 4-0

[RonMexico]

I had the opportunity to talk to BobCat fans after the game near the busses I would guess about 100-150.

There were some BobCat fans from Oklahoma and Sullfer Louisiana that boosted the numbers.

There was a large group of Ohio fans that went over to Baja Beach Grill (a UL Almnus establishment) and said they had never had so much fun (and this was before the game) on a road trip.

I thought the fans were classy in victory when many of the Ohio players went huddle with the UL players at midfield after the game.

I was in the endzone at the end of the regulation and the acting job that got a celebration penalty after the non fumble was a bit over the top. But hey the refs bit and that is what counts.

I hope you have a great season. UL (played) opponents are 4-0

Man, the Cats were a very disciplined, sound, fundamental football team in the second half!

UL PLAYED OPPONENTS ARE 4-0>>>

That is a very good point Turbine.

L'te'

[RaginFan2]

I am not jumping ship at all, but I still say it was a horrible call to go for it on 4th and 7 with 10:00 min. to go. That was the turning point.

Geaux UL!!

I don't agree. I think the call to go for it was correct. I just think they should have put Des on a rollout to have the option to pas or run. Our field position was that no-mans land of too far for a FG and too short for punt. If we punt, it is probably going to end up in the end zone and we only gain about 15 yards. The big loss was a real killer, giving Ohio the ball near mid-field.

[Turbine]

I just think they should have put Des on a rollout to have the option to pas or run.

I agree it would have eliminated the Bull rush sack, which was the real tragedy on the play.

[RaginFan2]

I agree it would have eliminated the Bull rush sack, which was the real tragedy on the play.

I've been reading a lot of complaints about the play-calling in the second half, but I don't agree with that either. EVERY game there are some play calls that don't work or you wish you could have back. Yesterday was no different. But I don't think the play-calling was the problem. I think it was execution. Too many procedure penalties, some missed blocks, some missed tackles, some dropped passes, and an apparent lack of emotional fire in the second half - that's what I saw as the problem and what led to the loss. I really felt the turning point was when Des dropped the throwback pass in Ohio territory. The pass was a good one and Des was out on the sideline with only 1 player near him and plenty of room to maneuver. I like the odds of him scoring on that play. And even if he didn't score, he would've had a first down near the OU 25 yard line. Instead we end up not scoring and give Ohio the ball back in good (for them) field position where they eventually scored.

Also, I see too many fans are down on the team - it WAS a disappointing loss - and not giving props to Ohio. They were a very well-coached team and made very few mistakes, especially in the 2nd half. I don't recall a Bobcat penalty in the 2nd half, other than the unsportsmanlike call right at the end of the game.

Having said all of that, we HAVE to start winning these types of games. We've had opportunities to score multiple times the past 2 weeks and we are having problems finishing a number of drives. That is a concern. And getting the defense off the field on 3rd down is a big concern. If we fix those two issues, we finish with a great year.

[ATXCajun]

_ That was one exciting game last night. Louisiana has an explosive offense, and I'm certain that you'll make a lot of noise in the Sun Belt this season. You guys are a class bunch, and we look forward to both team and fans visiting Athens next year.

Just curious, were there many/any Ohio fans there last night? _

I thought your guys were stronger and hitting harder in the second half. Nothing particularly complex about your offense, yet we couldn't stop it in the second half. Nice road win. Good luck the rest of the way. I like these MAC match-ups and I hope they continue.

[Just1More]

Let's not mix the disappointment of the game miscues last night and our future. As fans, if that is what we call ourselves, we need to do our part to keep up the intensity until and beyond the point that we achieve our goals. I'm going to say a little prayer that our fan base does not turn into the instant gratification gang that is plaguing every other facet of life in America. Succeeding also depends on resiliant fans.

When someone on here makes the comment that "it's the same thing every year". I have to agree... there is always someone who has to make that comment every year. When they change that tune without it requiring someone else to do something to please them, I have a feeling they will start liking the music a little more.

Geaux Cajuns (and I mean fans)!!!!

[RaginFan2]

That was one exciting game last night. Louisiana has an explosive offense, and I'm certain that you'll make a lot of noise in the Sun Belt this season. You guys are a class bunch, and we look forward to both team and fans visiting Athens next year.

Just curious, were there many/any Ohio fans there last night?

I spoke to a couple who came down from Cincinnati. Their son plays LB (#35). They said that our tailgating was the biggest and best they had ever been to. We had a nice conversation. The Bobcat fans I saw were very nice. There was a good contingent of Ohio fans considering the distance and the fact we had no prior history between our schools. I like the Sunbelt-MAC match-ups. I hope they continue. Looking forward to our return visit to Athens next year.