NCAA Football Preview - UL- Ragin' Cajuns

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SEASON IN REVIEW:
The UL Ragin' Cajuns were but a few big plays away from a winning season in 2004, but that has pretty much been the story for this football program the last few years. The Cajuns finished the campaign just 4-7 overall, but four of those defeats came by four points or less. The team started the year with a 3-2 record, which included a solid win over Middle Tennessee State (24-17). ULL, however, then went on to lose five of its last six games, including a pair of 13-10 setbacks to Troy and UL-Monroe to close out the season. With the poor finish, the Cajuns placed seventh in the Sun Belt at 2-5 and in the process dropped to 11-24 in head coach Rickey Bustle's three seasons at the helm.

2005 ANALYSIS:

OFFENSE: Although the UL offense averaged a league-high 380.5 ypg a year ago it translated into just 22.0 ppg. With seven starters back from in the fold, the Cajuns should not only be able to duplicate last year's success yardage wise, but it should also result in a few more points. Leading the offense is quarterback Jerry Babb, who is coming off a solid sophomore campaign in which he threw for 2,345 yards and 12 touchdowns. Babb is also a threat with his legs, leading UL-Lafayette with 498 rushing yards and four touchdowns in '04. With a healthy Chester Johnson in the backfield Babb may not need to run the ball as much, which could help avoid an injury. After leading the team in rushing in '03, Johnson was limited due to injuries in '04 and finished with just 489 yards and two scores. Johnson should benefit from being healthy and from having a big and experienced offensive line in front of him. Four starters return and that is why the Cajuns are considered to have the best o- line in the league. As for the wide receivers, Bill Sampy leads a young but talented group. Sampy is among the top returning wideouts in the SBC and he earned All-Conference honors in '04 after making 57 catches for 776 yards and six touchdowns.

DEFENSE: The UL defense ranked 11th (174.5 ypg) in the nation against the pass last season, but that effort was overshadowed by the whopping 213.5 ypg the unit surrendered on the ground. With seven starters back, the defense should not only be better but more consistent as well. Up front, the Cajuns did a horrible job not only stopping the run but getting pressure on the quarterback. Defensive ends Eugene Kwarteng (28 tackles) and Anthony Hills (30 stops) have the most experience on the line and will be counted on to make big plays this season. Tyler Norman highlights a mediocre linebacking group that returns four players with a modicum of experience. Norman may be primed for an All-SBC year after making 49 stops and one sack as a reserve in '04. As for the secondary, it was hit hard with the loss of a pair of solid safeties in C.C. Brown and Antwain Spann, but don't expect much of a drop from this group. The team's strength in the defensive backfield are corners Michael Adams and Jemarcus Smith. Adams recorded 37 stops as a sophomore last season, while Smith posted 20 stops as a freshman.

SPECIAL TEAMS: The kicking game should be improved this season with the return of placekicker Sean Comiskey. The senior made 14-of-22 field goals last year and missed just 5-of-19 kicks inside 50 yards. The punting chores are still open, as David Schnexnayder may be replaced by juco transfer Brit Framel. Schnexnayder averaged a pathetic 35.6 yards per kick last year, although he did put 14 inside the 20-yard line. OUTLOOK: The Cajuns could certainly be considered a dark horse in the Sun Belt this season, as they return a slew of talent on both sides of the ball. The two biggest keys to the season will be turning long drives into points and stopping the opposition's ground attack. If ULL can improve in both of those areas a winning season and a finish in the upper half of the league is certainly possible.

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From The Sports Network By Ralph Lauro,
College Football Staff Writer 2004

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LOUISIANA La. can claim some small progress last season.

The Ragin' Cajuns, 4-8 in 2003, were 4-7 in 2004. Unfortunately, that included losses in four of their last five games.

Coach Rickey Bustle has talked about laying a foundation during his first three seasons. This year he has to hope he'll be building on it.

One of Louisiana-Lafayette's biggest problems last season was an inability to stop the run. The Cajuns allowed 213.5 yards per game.

Part of that may be because the defense switched to a 4-3 front. That allowed them to cut down on the big plays, and they were No. 1 in the Sun Belt Conference in pass defense. They were, however, eighth against the run.

"We have to take what we learned and accomplished at the end of the season and kind of pick up where we left off," said defensive end Eugene Kwarteng."

The defensive line with Kwarteng, end Anthony Hill, and converted offensive lineman Marshall Delesdenier got a boost when Justin Taylor, injured most of 2004, got an extra year of eligibility.

The linebacker corps, although undersized, is expected to be solid.

There was enough depth at cornerback to move returning starter Terryl Fenton to safety.

The offense, which seemed to be hitting its stride early on last season, faded down the stretch.

The Ragin' Cajuns, 2-5 in the Sun Belt, were first in the conference in total offense last season, but third in both rushing and passing yards.

The offensive line, which allowed 23 sacks in 2004 -- most of them in league play at the end of the year -- has four of the five starters back. Depth could be a problem, however. The pressure will be on junior Brandon Cox to live up to his potential at left tackle.

Returning are quarterback Jerry Babb -- certainly one of the most athletic in the conference -- and his favorite target Bill Sampy to provide a threat if the offensive line can stay healthy and provide the protection they need.

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The Associated Press