Fall Practice Days 1-15

[NewsCopy]

DAY: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15

The first day of football practice for Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns was eventful on the field and in the skies.

Rumbling thunder and nearby lightning strikes disturbed most of practice and even caused a 30-minute delay. The delay forced the cancellation of head coach Rickey Bustle's final special team's period.

Despite the threatening weather, the Cajuns were able to exit the practice field just 10 minutes behind schedule.

Practice began with six early periods for all newcomers. The freshmen and JC transfers were treated to a rapid 41-minute introduction prior to varsity workouts.

The entire squad then worked through seven periods before the lightning was severe enough to force a stoppage.

"There was a great effort today," Bustle stated. "We even dodged the lightning - which shows that we have some good team speed!

"It was a good first day. The players and coaches were very glad to get out on the field. The first few practices are teaching days and there was a lot of learning going on today. We accomplished quite a bit for a first day."

Practice resumed for two more periods and then a conditioning session.

Junior walk-on corner Kyle Ward made a terrific first impression, gathering a pair of interceptions. His first pick came during one-on-one drills, while his later was an outstanding leaping catch over a wide receiver.

Ward transferred from Alcorn State last season, competing on the Cajuns indoor and outdoor track team in the 100m dash and 110m hurdles.

"I saw some defensive backs make some good plays, including Kyle Ward," Bustle added. The guys worked hard this summer and came out in good shape.

"I believe that we are a faster football team."

Tuesday's practice will be fairly similar to Monday's work for the Cajuns. Newcomers hit the field at 2:30pm before varsity joins at 3:30pm.

All practices are held on the practice fields adjacent to the athletics complex and are open to the public.

LOUISIANA SI

[Corndog308]

They looked really good for the first practice. Everyone was on their toes, and everything just seemed to flow well.

[NewsCopy]

Kyle Ward wasted little time making an impression with Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns.

The walk-on transferred to UL from Alcorn State last year and competed as a sprinter and hurdler in track and field before joining football as a cornerback.

On Monday's opening day of practice, Ward made two interceptions - one in individual drills, a second with a leaping grab over a receiver.

"I saw some defensive backs make some good plays, including Kyle Ward," said coach Rickey Bustle, who also saw a Michael Adams pickoff. "The guys worked hard this summer and came out in good shape."

Bustle enjoyed a spirited day of drills, and was even able to make light of a lightning delay.

The rest of the story

[RaginRash]

I am completely friggin' geeked up about football season!!

[NewsCopy]

Day 1, Day 2

Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns worked through the second day of football practice beginning with a heat index above 100 degrees.

Temperatures cooled slightly midway through practice as threatening skies provided thunder, but also an accompanying cloud cover and light breeze. Rain began to fall at 5pm - 50 minutes prior to the scheduled completion time of practice.

The rain was brief, as the Cajuns worked through the disTurbinece, but an array of close proximity lightning strikes at 5:15pm forced the cancellation of the rest of practice.

"Weather shortened us again," stated frustrated head coach Rickey Bustle.

Bustle tried to abbreviate the final five periods in an attempt to get in all his scheduled work, but the lightning was too much.

"We shortened two pass skel periods, which enabled us to get in some kicking game," Bustle added. "Unfortunately, we weren't able to get to a team period or our conditioning."

Despite the problems with mother nature, Bustle was pleased with his squad on day two of camp.

"We added a few things from yesterday and it looked sharp," said Bustle. "There were some mistakes, but that's going to happen this time of year."

The Cajuns newcomers enjoyed their second and final 41-minute introduction to practice. Wednesday's full team practice is scheduled for 3:30pm.

"It's helped the new guys get comfortable fundamentally," Bustle responded. "They do a few drills alone, and then get to repeat it with the rest of the team.

"It's a nice touch to provide a little extra teaching to the new guys in their first two days of practice."

LOUISIANA SI

[Zeebart21]

I am completely friggin' geeked up about football season!!

Awesome kids!!!

Excellent sig!!!!

e ought to make a bumper sticker that says that!!!!

Z.

[CDeb]

Awesome kids!!!

Excellent sig!!!!

e ought to make a bumper sticker that says that!!!!

Z.

Speaking of sigs, I think the actual line from the movie is "I picked a bad WEEK to stop sniffing glue."

[NewsCopy]

Day three for Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns marked day one of uninterrupted football practice. Lightning reeked havoc on the Cajuns first two practice days, but Wednesday's skies stayed blue.

UL worked through 12 periods that concluded with a strenuous conditioning session. The Cajuns practiced in shorts and helmets (no pads), but experienced their first offense versus defense showdown. The "team vs. varsity" period mostly focused on run technique, but became a spirited challenge between both sides.

"It was a very spirited day," said offensive coordinator Rob Christophel. "We had a nice little competition near the end with the offense versus the defense.

"We had some live bodies flying around and some of the young guys took steps in the right direction."

Practicing in shorts somewhat limits what the coaching staff can ask of their players, but Christophel feels that there are many things both sides (coaches and players) can learn.

"The guys have to be going to the right places," Christophel added. "Right now, we are making sure they are stepping to the right place and doing the right thing - especially when you have a lot of young guys with a whole bunch of talent."

There has been a lot of talk among the coaches about the influx of new talent and speed with the freshmen and junior college transfers. There is a chance that some of the newcomers at running back and wide receiver could see time on the field during their first season.

"We have a very talented group of newcomers," Christophel stated. "I say that with a little trepidation because you can only play them so much in terms of what they will be able to learn and absorb."

"The staff needs to make sure we don't push them too much too fast in fear of losing them, but at the same time we need to press forward as a whole and make progress."

Wednesday's practice was successful in terms of building momentum for a more difficult practice on Thursday. Thursday's practice will mark the first for the team in shoulder pads which should mean more contact drills between the players.

The squad will not practice in full pads until Saturday. Saturday will also mark the first of four two-a-day practices.

LOUISIANA SI

[NewsCopy]

Day four of football practice for Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns football team marked advancement toward full contact as the squad put on shoulder pads for the first time. For the previous three days head coach Rickey Bustle's troops had worked out in shorts and helmets.

Thursday brought around another afternoon of clear skies which resulted in the Cajuns being able to have a second straight day without any weather delays.

UL worked through 12 periods over the two-hour practice highlighted by a first team "offense vs. defense" third down battle.

"It was a good practice today," said defensive coordinator Brent Pry. "We had a lot of competition between the offense and the defense in the team situation.

"Everybody competed well and you saw plenty of excitement," Pry added. "We had guys making plays on both sides. There were nice catches and we saw good breaks - it looked like a good football team for the fourth day."

The defense got the better of the offense in the third down battle. The offense converted their first third down attempt (third-and-four on an 8-yard completion by Jerry Babb) before the defense stepped up to stop five of the next six opportunities. The offense was its own worst enemy at times suffering a false start penalty on third-and-six and two possessions later falling victim to a fumbled exchange on third-and-three.

"The defense won the third-down battle," Pry said. "That's a good competition period that Coach (Bustle) puts on our team every couple of days.

"Third down is about getting off the field or making first downs," Pry added. "It's a heated battle between the offense and defense and we treat it like a game situation. The defense always has the advantage early in camp. The offense will turn the corner as they learn the system and get in more plays and formations which then makes it tougher on the defense."

On Friday, the team will put on full pads for the first time beginning full pad practices a day earlier than originally scheduled.

"We're at a point where it doesn't matter if the pads are on or off, we will compete at the same level," Pry said.

Friday's practice will be the last one leading up to two-a-day sessions. The first of four two-a-day practices will be held on Saturday at 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

LOUISIANA SI

[RaginEsquire06]

Offense has a lot of work to do....QB's and Receivers are not connecting very well...Offensive line got their hats brought to them...Gave up quite a few sacks during interior team drills......Defense played very well!

[RaginEsquire06]

Hell...I know, everyone can be an all american without the pads on....guess I'll have to wait and see! (my thoughts out loud regarding our defenses domination today....)

[shof]

Hell...I know, everyone can be an all american without the pads on....guess I'll have to wait and see! (my thoughts out load regarding our defenses domination today....)

Appreciate you guys taking the time to go out, watch, and give your first-hand impressions of the team practices. You can only get so much info from print media. Thanks!