Football Louisiana vs Idaho 2002-11-02
Idaho paper-Jim Meehan-Staff writer
As slumps go, this one is mild, but coaches are paid handsomely to address problems big and small.
University of Idaho quarterback Brian Lindgren has had a 21/2-game stretch where his statistics look fine on paper, but fall short of potential.
"We're leaving too many points off the board," coach Tom Cable said. "He can do it, no question about it. We just need to get him to take a shot."
Lindgren takes his next shot today as the Vandals (2-6, 1-1 Sun Belt) visit Louisiana-Lafayette (1-7, 0-3) today at 2 PST at Cajun Field in Lafayette.
Describing what he wants to see from Lindgren, Cable mentions the swashbuckling qualities of former UI quarterback John Welsh.
Welsh, though, had a tendency to try to do too much. So Cable needs a mad scientist to merge the best attributes of Welsh and Lindgren.
"They both did a lot of good things," Cable said. "You look at the (Louisiana) Monroe game and there are seven throws out there we can usually get. Last week, we had a fumble and some drops, but there are three other times where you say, take this guy. . . . It's the ability to anticipate and take the shot and make the throw."
Lindgren delivers 292 yards passing a game, 84 yards in front of his closest Sun Belt Conference pursuer. He's also tops in quarterback efficiency at 133.4. Included in his "slump" numbers was a 415-yard performance against UL-Monroe, but he also pitched two interceptions, and the Vandals only scored 14 points.
"I want to see him break through and take it to a whole new level," Cable said.
The same might be said about several aspects of Idaho's team. The defense was atypically stingy in a 21-18 win over Middle Tennessee last week. Middle Tennessee scored 70 points on UI last year.
Louisiana-Lafayette hung 54 points and 641 total yards on Idaho a year ago. The primary players responsible -- quarterback Jon Van Cleave, receiver Frederick Stamps and running back Jerome Coleman -- return.
However, Coleman is averaging only 2.9 yards per carry and Van Cleave has tossed 12 interceptions to go with six touchdowns.
"You have to do it a couple times to know you can do it," Cable said of his defense. "But I know we can go out and play hard and with passion like we did (against Middle Tennessee)."
Idaho should enjoy a huge motivational edge. The Vandals must win out to stay in the Sun Belt title chase. UL-Lafayette, coming off a 27-0 home loss to North Texas, has been eliminated from the conference race.
"The thing I'm blessed with is we have a great group of seniors," coach Rickey Bustle said. "Idaho does a lot of things. They can throw it 70 times if they need to, and it looks like they've got the running game cranked up some."
Notes
Idaho is concerned about the grass field at Cajun Field because of recent heavy rains. UI purposely watered its outdoor practice field this week to simulate what it might see today. A UL-Lafayette spokesman said the field is "fine" after favorable weather this week. . . . Idaho hasn't won a road game since it defeated North Texas in November of 2000. . . . Lake City High grad Chad Troxel (ankle) is expected to play. . . . Receiver Chris Belser replaces Josh Jelmberg (shoulder) in the starting lineup.
Quote
Cajuns defeat Idaho
