LOUISIANA La. -- Three consecutive late-game victories may have Louisiana-Lafayette football coach Rickey Bustle checking his pulse, but the heartbeat from his team appears strong.
Since late October, UL has climbed from the depths of the Sun Belt Conference into a three-way tie for second place.
Although Bustle is pleased with the outcomes, the manner in which the Cajuns (4-5, 3-2) achieved the wins could require blood-pressure monitoring.
UL's latest pulsating win came Saturday in Denton, Texas, as the Cajuns scored with 1:10 remaining to defeat North Texas 31-28.
On the previous Saturday, UL won its homecoming in overtime 31-28 against Troy.
On Oct. 22, the Cajuns scored a late fourth-period TD to beat Middle Tennessee 13-10.
"These guys are going to give me a cardiac arrest," Bustle said.
A 31-29 loss Saturday by league-leader Louisiana-Monroe (3-5, 3-1) to Florida International was the Indians' first in the SBC, while ULL, Troy (4-5, 3-2) and Arkansas State (4-4, 3-2) are tied for second.
ULL hosts FIU (2-5, 1-3) Saturday night at Cajun Field before ending the regular season at ULM's Malone Stadium on Nov. 26.
ULM travels Saturday to Middle Tennessee, which beat Arkansas State 45-7.
Louisiana-Monroe also has to visit North Texas on Nov. 19 before hosting the Cajuns in what could be a game of major significance.
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By BOBBY ARDOIN
Special To The Advocate