&nbps; Win or lose, year after year there are die-hard fans who return Saturday after Saturday to watch the Ragin' Cajuns on the field.

On Saturday, they may be rewarded for their devotion with a Sun Belt Conference title and UL's first bowl berth since 1970.

"Thirty-five years we've been waiting for another bowl," said Al Comeaux, who has been a fan since the mid-'60s, when he was in high school.

Even if the team wins Saturday against UL Monroe, for a berth in the New Orleans Bowl, North Texas has to beat Arkansas State on Saturday. The bowl has been moved to Lafayette, making the bid even more rare for the Cajuns to play a bowl on their home turf.

Comeaux was one of several fans at Monday's Quarterback Club luncheon in which head coach Rickey Bustle meets with program supporters.

The game is likely the biggest in the past 10 years, said Bob Manuel, a fan since 1966 who has held the same season tickets since the stadium was built.

The program has faced unsuccessful seasons and a strained budget that has been padded with community support and fundraising efforts. With development in the athletics department, including renovations to the athletic complex, locker room and training rooms and a planned indoor practice facility, this season's successes are more building blocks for the program.

"The ramifications will have a tremendous effect on the football program," Manuel said. "It would be a tremendous plus for recruiting."

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Marsha Sills
msills@theadvertiser.com