Vermilion has nothing positive to say...

[Cajun1997]

Point After : Sports Column
Kemisha Ware - Sports Editor
The Vermilion currently is looking for a sports writer. Apply at the office, located on the corner of Hebrard and Boucher. This is a paid position.
Throughout the summer and football’s preseason, fans were told to prepare for the new and improved football squad.
Since the University of Louisiana at Lafayette hired Rickey Bustle as the Cajuns new head football coach, everyone has been waiting to “Bustle up” and see the Cajuns’ new game.
Well, the new game looks a lot like the old one.
Despite the fact that the team’s coaching staff has changed, the Cajuns still look the same.
With only one win under their belt it’s going to be really hard for fans to continue to support the team.
I have packed the “Red Zone” and even traveled to Baton Rouge to see the new and improved Cajuns.
The question is, where are they?
UL Lafayette’s loss to New Mexico State Saturday, marked the second consecutive year that the Aggies beat UL Lafayette on a field goal on the last play of the game.
NMSU defeated the Cajuns 49-46 last year at Cajun Field with a 29-yard field goal with no time left.
New Mexico State scored 11 fourth quarter points, which are the most the Aggies have scored in the fourth quarter since scoring 16 in the fourth quarter of last year’s victory at UL Lafayette.
Despite the loss, the Cajuns did play well in New Mexico. They didn’t give this game way. As a matter of fact , UL Lafayette controlled the ball for 11:18 in the third quarter while the Aggies had it for just 3:42. The Ragin’ Cajuns gained 99 yards to just 56 for New Mexico State.
However, the Aggies reversed that in the fourth quarter, holding the ball for 11:06 to just 3:54 for the Ragin’ Cajuns. New Mexico State had 122 yards to 77 for UL Lafayette.
Don’t get me wrong. This new team looks entirely different from last year’s squad on the field. They run a completely different offense and many players have switched positions.
But despite how the formations have changed, the outcome is still the same. The Cajuns lose again.

[Cajun1997]

Just what the team and the University needed, I can see the student body really getting behind the team reading your work. Somebody please apply for this job and take over soon.

[1stTake]

If you read her old stuff there is always a touch of Baldwin envy.

[Cajun1997]

Evcajun, what do you say? I know your busy reporting for Fanstop but maybe you know somebody, a real Cajun fan not a jack_____ like the current joker.

[EVCajun12]

I debated back and forth over this issue on whether to apply or not. I picked up an application and everything, but I felt that now was not the time. As much as I wanted to write for the Verm, I feel the time wasn't right. I have another job, and didn't want to tie myself to this yet. I would if I didn't have fanstop, but I have a good thing going with them at the moment. And, I do not agree with her writing style. she has been negative about us in the past. It's hard to work with someone you don't agree with. I am busy with things on campus this semester, and until I am finished, I will not pick up anything else just yet. PS: Someone filled the job as a sports writer. I don't know him. If you read the editorials, she has been taking alot, and I mean alot of heat lately. But if another one opens later this semester, I would seriously consider it then. Just too tied into things on campus and until this semester ends, I don't have the time. Sorry guys. Trust me, I wish our sports pages were better.

[Cajun1997]

Don't feel bad, we all understand. We just know you would do a first class, quality job.

[EVCajun12]

Believe me, I have every intention to write for the Verm before my time at UL is done with (which is getting shorter and shorter). I will, and thanks for the props. I always want people to be honest with me, bad or not. Thanks, ev

[Cajun1997]

Vermilion Sports Editor Kemisha Ware. Funny how after the last few losses we heard about how bad the team is but not a word about how well they played against Idaho.

[ATXCajun]

She's just learning from her piers. Bad news is boldface. Good news is an afterthought. ...and she misses the point that sometimes things have to get worse before they get better. BTW if we win one more game, it will have been an improvement over last year and several years prior. After coaching changes and offensive and defensive system changes, I'll take that as something to build on.

[CDeb]

Don't we long for the glory days of Vermilion sports editors?

Kleinpeter, Schexnayder, Debaillon, Pugh

Sigh!

[Cajun1997]

you are so right Chris.

[Cajun1997]

Other than the words I edited out great article
Point After : Sports Column
Kemisha Ware - Vermilion Sports Editor

No, the season is not over. The Cajuns have two road games remaining at Arkansas and UL Monroe, but for some Cajun fans, Saturday was their last chance to see UL (1) football at its best.

In their home finale, the Ragin’ Cajuns defeated Arkansas State 13-10, while Cajun quarterback Eric Rekieta made his debut as a starter.

Saturday’s contest was packed with excitement. Quarterbacks passed (Rekieta was 25 of 33), receivers caught ( Fred Stamps had eight catches for 134 yards) and running backs rushed (Jerome Coleman had 16 carries for 65 yards).

Did I mention the kicking? Cajun freshman Sean Comiskey converted on two crucial field goals. The final kick, a 49-yarder, gave the Cajuns the win. The Cajuns, who have won two straight games, won’t contend for the New Orleans Bowl, but still came out on top in some strange way.

Congratulations goes out to the team and to the fans, who reached the magic mark of 15,000. More than 14,000 fans (14,117 to be exact) showed up to watch the Sun Belt Conference battle. It is now official that UL Lafayette’s total attendance for the 2002 home season is 75,279. That’s great because it averages out to be 15,056. Just in case you don’t know, or you have been hiding under some rock, 15,000 was the mark to meet for Cajun fans this season. This Spring, the NCAA Division 1 Board of Directors finalized criteria for Division I-A membership.

The new criteria specify that Division I-A schools must average 15,000 (there’s that number again) in actual attendance for all home games, and play a minimum of five regular-season home games against Division I-a opponents. This season, UL (2) has surpassed last year’s average by almost 2,000 fans. UL (3)’s best attendance last season was 17,353 for its Oct. 27 homecoming game The average for each game was 13,323. The Cajuns have improved in many areas this season. Not only did they reverse last years’ home game record of 2-3, they managed to pull in 20,512 fans to watch their home opener. The 20,000 fans, who showed up to watch UL (4) fall to Minnesota, made up for the games that had low attendance this season.

Only 8,413 showed up for the Cajuns 27-0 loss to North Texas Oct. 26. Maybe it was the weather or maybe a loss of spirit, but whatever it was that kept them away, The Cajuns won’t have to worry because the fans are back.