UL "12th man" instrumental in getting New Orleans Bowl bid

[littlebum2002]

Despite an incredible start to the season, UL is finishing 3rd in our conference. All (including myself) who got a big head with dreams of a possible BCS ranking and a possible bid to a more prestigious bowl were humbled by our two losses to SBC teams. And yet, considering it is Hud's first year with the team, I think it is fair to say everyone is very impressed, and has high hopes (although REALISTIC high hopes) for next year.

The talk around town is that UL is almost guaranteed the bid for the New Orleans bowl. Why? They could pick ASU, or WKU. Why pick the 3rd place team? Because of our fans. We have averaged close to a sold-out stadium for all home games this year. An average of 28,000 fans, up from the previous year where we only managed 25,000 against a ranked team. Since it has been 41 years since the Grantland Rice Bowl, and this season fans have been high on news of our football team, the New Orleans Bowl knows we will pack the house far more than the two teams that are going to finish ahead of us, and are therefore giving us the bid confident it will generate far higher ticket revenues.

Many die-hard fans will claim that these are not "true" fans, as they were absent in UL's bad seasons. First, if I were in this number, I would be thanking these fair-weather fans for getting your team a bowl bid. Second, as a fair-weather fan myself, I need to defend my group. It is not about waiting for UL to have a "good" football team to become a fan. It's about not having a terrible team. Very few want to watch a team that is a regular sight on ESPN's "Bottom 10". Yes, it is nice that we were so successful this season, we almost broke into the BCS rankings. But I firmly believe that, even if we had barely squeaked into a 7-5 record this season, the stadium would still have had numerous fans because of low expectations at the start of the season. And I also believe that if UL can establish a streak of seasons with over a .500 record, our stadium attendance will increase permanently.

This year could be a turning point for UL football. If we beat Arizona, it will be our best record since 1976. We have a coach who has shown that not only can UL have a decent football team, it may even be possible to break into the top 25. I believe that, if our team continues to be successful, we can be a team whose fan base attends games regardless of our record, like LSU or other big-name teams. But in the meantime, we should all be thankful for the fans who have shown up this season. Without them, our season would be ending in 2 weeks. Because of them, we may make school history in 4 weeks with our first bowl win.

[NOCajun]

Despite an incredible start to the season, UL is finishing 3rd in our conference. All (including myself) who got a big head with dreams of a possible BCS ranking and a possible bid to a more prestigious bowl were humbled by our two losses to SBC teams. And yet, considering it is Hud's first year with the team, I think it is fair to say everyone is very impressed, and has high hopes (although REALISTIC high hopes) for next year.

The talk around town is that UL is almost guaranteed the bid for the New Orleans bowl. Why? They could pick ASU, or WKU. Why pick the 3rd place team? Because of our fans. We have averaged close to a sold-out stadium for all home games this year. An average of 28,000 fans, up from the previous year where we only managed 25,000 against a ranked team. Since it has been 41 years since the Grantland Rice Bowl, and this season fans have been high on news of our football team, the New Orleans Bowl knows we will pack the house far more than the two teams that are going to finish ahead of us, and are therefore giving us the bid confident it will generate far higher ticket revenues.

Many die-hard fans will claim that these are not "true" fans, as they were absent in UL's bad seasons. First, if I were in this number, I would be thanking these fair-weather fans for getting your team a bowl bid. Second, as a fair-weather fan myself, I need to defend my group. It is not about waiting for UL to have a "good" football team to become a fan. It's about not having a terrible team. Very few want to watch a team that is a regular sight on ESPN's "Bottom 10". Yes, it is nice that we were so successful this season, we almost broke into the BCS rankings. But I firmly believe that, even if we had barely squeaked into a 7-5 record this season, the stadium would still have had numerous fans because of low expectations at the start of the season. And I also believe that if UL can establish a streak of seasons with over a .500 record, our stadium attendance will increase permanently.

This year could be a turning point for UL football. If we beat Arizona, it will be our best record since 1976. We have a coach who has shown that not only can UL have a decent football team, it may even be possible to break into the top 25. I believe that, if our team continues to be successful, we can be a team whose fan base attends games regardless of our record, like LSU or other big-name teams. But in the meantime, we should all be thankful for the fans who have shown up this season. Without them, our season would be ending in 2 weeks. Because of them, we may make school history in 4 weeks with our first bowl win.

Believe me when I tell you, I have no problem with all the "fair-weather" fans that came to watch the CAJUNS WIN this season!! I personally have been to every home game, with rare exceptions, from 1982-2009. I've only been able to make a couple games these last couple of seasons for various personal reasons, but it doesn't dampen my fervor or support for this team. My hope is that we can now convert AND welcome more and more of these "fair-weather" fans into the die-hard base that has supported the CAJUNS all these years.

[RaginWaldo]

WKU wont finish ahead of us. I say they lose 2 of their last 3

[Frenchie35]

And yet, considering it is Hud's first year with the team, I think it is fair to say everyone is very impressed, and has high hopes (although REALISTIC high hopes) for next year.
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It was Hugh Freeze, Arkansas States head coachs first year also.

[Cajunmac]

And yet, considering it is Hud's first year with the team, I think it is fair to say everyone is very impressed, and has high hopes (although REALISTIC high hopes) for next year.
___________________________

True, but the ASU tram is loaded with seniors on both sides if the ball. It will be interesting to see what they do next year. No doubt they have done a great job in Jonesboro, but the starting points are not the same. Had HUD and crew inherited a program with, what, 16 starting seniors, maybe we are 9-2 this year. Pure conjecture, I know, but I still believe we have come farther than ASU.

[Redgineer]

WKU wont finish ahead of us. I say they lose 2 of their last 3

I hope, jeez.

[Boomer]

Just some added points---yes Freeze was in his first year as head coach---but he was already there as a coordinator and all the recruiting was in place---HUD came with about 3 weeks to seal the deal with all these guys who came for their first year at UL---Huge difference-----Now guys we can round off a few things and they sound a hell of a lot better-----#1 our enrollment---Just say 17 thousand we are close enough to it and will be there next year---Hud says 19K and that is projected and fine with me-----Our average attendance this Year is 30 Thousand---yes we are a few hundred short with our terrible counters---but just say 30K!!!!

[littlebum2002]

Our average attendance this Year is 30 Thousand---yes we are a few hundred short with our terrible counters---but just say 30K!!!!

Considering that our counters leave around halftime, I'd say this is an accurate assessment. Too bad the OK State game wasn't at home this year, we could easily have averaged a sold-out stadium.
Speaking of that, is there a reason we are playing OK State 3 years in a row? I wish LSU would play us more often as its "gimme game". Why play Western Kentucky when they could play an in-state team instead?



Also, I was under the impression that WKU was going to finish ahead of us regardless. After looking at it again, I see I was wrong. Although whether we get 2nd or 3rd place is irrelevant; next year, we should win the conference.

[Boomer]

Considering that our counters leave around halftime, I'd say this is an accurate assessment. Too bad the OK State game wasn't at home this year, we could easily have averaged a sold-out stadium.
Speaking of that, is there a reason we are playing OK State 3 years in a row? I wish LSU would play us more often as its "gimme game". Why play Western Kentucky when they could play an in-state team instead?

----------------It is not when they count it is who they miss when they do count!!!! there have been numerous posts on this board from the home and student side of their missing many!!!

[Bandwagon King]

I feel the need to respond to this OP although I'm not sure exactly how. There are several points I agree with, however, I have no idea what the OP means when he talks about eating humble pie. Personally, I haven't eaten any humble pie & don't intend to. I bought into this coach & his staff early, because I saw the results of their recruiting efforts, the intense way they pushed & challenged this team, & the way HUD challenged the community to give the most it could give. For me to say I thought this team would be going to Arizona with an extremely good chance of winning that game, going 9-3, & representing this community with their first bowl birth since I was bouncing on my daddy's knee, is quite startling to say the least.

I can therefore say there is no "humble" pie to be served. Was I disappointed that UL didn't go to ASU & come away with the conference championship outright? You bet. Do I see at least as much upside for this program as it has already achieved in this miniscule amount of time under the HUD? Everyone should readily agree on this too. I have heard people on this sight complain about the competition level in the SBC, yet it has been good enough to keep UL from winning this conference outright, since it's been a football conference. I personally believe that under the HUD, this team will compete for the outright conference championship every year. Does that mean they will win it every year? No it doesn't. However, I expect them to compete & compete like men & champions. This is acceptable, doable, & should be expected by the coaches, the team, & the fans of this area every year.

This is what we should reasonably expect & this is what we the fans should be selling to our friends & neighbors across Acadiana, the state, & this region. For anybody to hang onto any past prejudices, whether percieved or real, commited for or against this universty is self defeating, self decieving, & totally counterproductive. While the old guard fans have had their issues in dealing with the new incoming "rowdier" more emotionally intense fan base, there has been enough of a shift in the mindset of the old & the new to allow for a continually growing mixture of great fan support in the future of this program.

While we didn't win the ASU game, our fan base while outnumbered, 15-1 sounded & supported like there was a difference of 2-1. I also reasonably expect to see a day when we will travel 5000 to Jonesboro & take up every hotel room in their town. If fellow SBC team's fans don't rally to their team's cause then we should be able to take over their stadium & make it our own. as well as owning our own stadium. The problem isn't the SBC. It's the fact that this school & it's fan base hasn't taken on a mission statement to take over the SBC & make it our personal playground. For those who think they are too good, if you ever want to be invited to a "bigger & better" party, this IS the recipe for that achievement. In the mean time it is the way to own what should rightfully be UL fan's from now until hell freezes over. Thanks for the rant space, OUT!

[Just1More]

I'm tired of the references to "fair weather, bandwagon, diehard, true" fans... as if they adequately describe all fans. If you're a fan, you're a fan. Only you decide which category you want to be in. There are way more types of fans than the old ones and the new ones. And every participating fan is the "12th man". As to what put us in the New Orleans Bowl... everything that led up to the success we are having. Personally, as for the definition of the most important fans... I leave that up to the athletes on the field to define who they believe are the "most important" fans.

The NO Bowl committee has wanted the Cajuns ever since the day they started that bowl and had the SBC as a tie-in. It didn't just start this year. We were expected to win the SBC way back then, by anyone that knew "the potential" of our program (and fans), and the fact that most SBC teams were start-up FBS programs. We were always regarded as the NO Bowl committee favorite. So, our latest situation is not what has the NO Bowl giving us the nod. They have been dying to try to get us an offer. We just didn't qualify. Now... we qualify... and they can invite us.

The fans that were around in the Bustle years, for instance, helped build the IPF, helped start RCAF, helped get the new turf in Cajun Field... and much more. It is a little disingenuous not to acknowledge a lot of effort from those years being a big assistance to the current success. Those fans were not just around during "the bad years". We had "building years" and don't think for a second that those fans were not responsible for making the management move things in the current direction. Think differently... you'd be very, very wrong.

Everyone is welcome to be a fan. You decide what kind of fan you are. No one else.

[Bandwagon King]

I'm tired of the references to "fair weather, bandwagon, diehard, true" fans... as if they adequately describe all fans. If you're a fan, you're a fan. Only you decide which category you want to be in. There are way more types of fans than the old ones and the new ones. And every participating fan is the "12th man". As to what put us in the New Orleans Bowl... everything that led up to the success we are having. Personally, as for the definition of the most important fans... I leave that up to the athletes on the field to define who they believe are the "most important" fans.

The NO Bowl committee has wanted the Cajuns ever since the day they started that bowl and had the SBC as a tie-in. It didn't just start this year. We were expected to win the SBC way back then, by anyone that knew "the potential" of our program (and fans), and the fact that most SBC teams were start-up FBS programs. We were always regarded as the NO Bowl committee favorite. So, our latest situation is not what has the NO Bowl giving us the nod. They have been dying to try to get us an offer. We just didn't qualify. Now... we qualify... and they can invite us.

The fans that were around in the Bustle years, for instance, helped build the IPF, helped start RCAF, helped get the new turf in Cajun Field... and much more. It is a little disingenuous not to acknowledge a lot of effort from those years being a big assistance to the current success. Those fans were not just around during "the bad years". We had "building years" and don't think for a second that those fans were not responsible for making the management move things in the current direction. Think differently... you'd be very, very wrong.

Everyone is welcome to be a fan. You decide what kind of fan you are. No one else.

Good post J1M. You make some very great & critical points, especially about the fan base that stuck it out & determined to build during really hard times. Those times are changing though. It is time for this fan base to continue to step out & make new challenges for itself & continue that momentum. There is nothing wrong with that. There is also nothing wrong with newer fans making points or coming up with ideas or challenges to help in this area, just like there is nothing wrong with older fans reminding newer fans what they had to accomplish to make the present possible. There is no denying that there is an older established fan base. This fan base shouldn't feel intimidated or insulted with the newer fan base, but should rather feel the pride of knowing that their individual as well as collective sacrifices & efforts have built the fence for those who are on said fence crowing about UL or their fandom.