PreGame 2011 New Orleans Bowl - Walking To New Orleans

[Cajun90]

I think most long time fans start to look back over the years to everything that it took to get to this point. There were plenty of low points along with some great high ones as well.

My own personal memory of suffering through the years was thirteen years ago yesterday. It was absoutely one of the most miserable days in Cajun Field history and I've seen plenty of them. I did a little research to confirm that days events.

The weather couldn't have been much worse. It was 46 degrees with winds gusting to 22 mph and it was raining (or was that sneaux?). Bone-chilling wasn't a strong enough adjective to use. No one yelled. We were two busy chattering from the cold and forget clapping. That would mean you had to remove your hands from the rain soaked coat pockets.

We were 1-9 with our lone win coming by two points against Ark. St. Four in-state rivals had already beaten us down. Tulane had hung 72 points on us three weeks prior.

The official attendance was 5,224. I promise you it wasn't anywhere close to that number. I sat on the student side even though I had graduated many years prior. At that point I just hadn't got out of the habit. The exact numbers are a little blurry now but the body count on that side of the stadium didn't exceed fifty. I actually did a rough count on the other side of the stadium and I'm fairly certain we didn't cross the 500 mark.

I was there really to honor one person. Brandon Stokley. It was going to be his last game in a Cajun uniform and after all he had done I thought it fitting to be there no matter the circumstances. My wife thought I was crazy and no way was she leaving the house.

Brandon finished with eight catches and 110 yards and capped off his career with a 38-24 win over WKU.

Kind of ironic for me that in 2011 we are bowl bound and our two conference losses are against the two teams we defeated 13 years ago.

So yes this bowl game definitely honors a long and struggling past for fans, coaches, players, and the rest of the Cajun nation.

[RaginDave]

I remember Houston, oh damn do I remember.

[RaginDave]

OK so they are not all bad!!!

Just kidding, thanks Drew. I seem to remember that we were on him during the recruiting process. I hate that we lost out on him, but I would not trade Mr. Baer for many placekickers in the country.

I do like that he may be at the game, the more the merrier, just don't wear your LSU gear, Drew and we will be okay.

[moorecajun]

I do believe the AA will put together a pre-game function in the dome but probably not for after.

Remember two things:
1. Even though we "knew" we were going to the NO Bowl you couldn't reserve (well you could but what if) anything in the dome. I would expect to hear something AFTER the game this weekend.
2. The game starts at 8pm, making it end probably close to midnight - I can't see having a postgame function starting at midnight. That will be when we make the people of NO happy (again) by participating in their festivities!

I also remember those and they were a blast!
Go CAJUNS!

[CajunZ1]

HeMadeIt!!!

[moorecajun]

I think most long time fans start to look back over the years to everything that it took to get to this point. There were plenty of low points along with some great high ones as well.

My own personal memory of suffering through the years was thirteen years ago yesterday. It was absoutely one of the most miserable days in Cajun Field history and I've seen plenty of them. I did a little research to confirm that days events.

The weather couldn't have been much worse. It was 46 degrees with winds gusting to 22 mph and it was raining (or was that sneaux?). Bone-chilling wasn't a strong enough adjective to use. No one yelled. We were two busy chattering from the cold and forget clapping. That would mean you had to remove your hands from the rain soaked coat pockets.

We were 1-9 with our lone win coming by two points against Ark. St. Four in-state rivals had already beaten us down. Tulane had hung 72 points on us three weeks prior.

The official attendance was 5,224. I promise you it wasn't anywhere close to that number. I sat on the student side even though I had graduated many years prior. At that point I just hadn't got out of the habit. The exact numbers are a little blurry now but the body count on that side of the stadium didn't exceed fifty. I actually did a rough count on the other side of the stadium and I'm fairly certain we didn't cross the 500 mark.

I was there really to honor one person. Brandon Stokley. It was going to be his last game in a Cajun uniform and after all he had done I thought it fitting to be there no matter the circumstances. My wife thought I was crazy and no way was she leaving the house.

Brandon finished with eight catches and 110 yards and capped off his career with a 38-24 win over WKU.

Kind of ironic for me that in 2011 we are bowl bound and our two conference losses are against the two teams we defeated 13 years ago.

So yes this bowl game definitely honors a long and struggling past for fans, coaches, players, and the rest of the Cajun nation.

Man, you are right, there is a ton of irony between those two seasons. Talk about the lowest of lows and the highest of highs.

[moorecajun]

I've been a lifelong fan and season ticket holder of both the Saints and the Cajuns.... Over 40 years for both....I lived to see the seemingly impossible for the Saints.... I was in Baton Rouge 40 years ago and will be in Nawlins on Dec 17 to see what seemingly was impossible for the Cajuns.....

I have to admit I was misty eyed last night when the New Orleans Bowl dude did his rope thing and at the end was... at long long LONG last a bowl invitation..... Great night and well done by the university....

Now lets win it...................................................

Yeah, my "allergies" acted up on me a few times last night ... several times while Troy was speaking ... a former player like that, a MAN like that, will make up for a lot of "swaggins"!

There indeed has been a lot of blood, sweat and tears (sounds like a promo for a tailgating event) and everyone needs to soak in all the enjoyment of this you can!

I know I will.

[DieHard1280]

I was actually hoping the announcement would not come until next week. I'm an RCAF member, but my funds are low this month, so I won't be able to get tickets until next week sometime. I just hope there are some halfway decent seats left by then.

[moorecajun]

No, I placed an order for tickets at the Announcement Rally but did not get a ticket, I was told those people who put down a deposit would be placed ahead of me and I am RCAF, but those RCAF members who did put a deposit along with non RCAF members would have priority, that is the way I interpreted it. So, you all that are not RCAF members, you should join cause it is gonna cost to Keep HUD, without RCAF, who will meet his salary. Remember State of La has a ceiling cap on Coach's salaries. If a University does not have a RCAF fund, then where does the supplimental pay come from . You guys and gals need to realize this, cause without RCAF, no supplimental funds are generated. We will only get better/greater with Donors/RCAF.

GEAUX CAJUNS.

Yes, yes, yes! Did I mention yes.

[CajunDreDog]

I've been a lifelong fan and season ticket holder of both the Saints and the Cajuns.... Over 40 years for both....I lived to see the seemingly impossible for the Saints.... I was in Baton Rouge 40 years ago and will be in Nawlins on Dec 17 to see what seemingly was impossible for the Cajuns.....

I have to admit I was misty eyed last night when the New Orleans Bowl dude did his rope thing and at the end was... at long long LONG last a bowl invitation..... Great night and well done by the university....

Now lets win it...................................................

I'll admit it too. I was more than misty eyed, not quite crying. When he did the rope thing, I blurted out "It's about time" to my computer screen.

Allergies, yeah it was them.....

[RaginDave]

Coach needs to reach out to all former Cajun Players for this one, including the retired greats like, Jake, Brian and Brandon to come to the game and cheer the Cajuns to a victory.

[CajunNation]

This is like winning a game in the NCAA tourney in basketball.

Like making a super regional in baseball.

Spot on.