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9/4/06 Louisiana-Lafayette @ Texas A&M - September 9, 2006 @ Kyle Field The Ragin' Cajuns remember it like it was yesterday. The Aggies have tried to forget. There may be some who recall the outcome, but few remember why… Just what was it about that September 14, 1996 Texas A&M - Louisiana-Lafayette game @ The Swamp in Lafayette that caused such a shocking result? Turnovers, that's what. In front of the largest home crowd in UL football history, The Ragin' Cajuns took advantage of eight (8) Aggie turnovers to upset #25 Texas A&M, 29-22. Yes, eight! Though I know some Cajuns still believe in voodoo magic and such, I don't see lightning striking twice in the same place, especially with A&M already being generous and sloppy with the football in game #1 against The Citadel. Honestly, in light of last weekend's result, don't you think that Aggie players will hear that ugly word a time or two this week? I bet true freshman Michael Goodson sleeps with an Aggie football in his hands. If there is even such a thing in college football's modern era, Louisiana-Lafayette should be a good match-up for Texas A&M. And unlike 1996, it's probably located in the right place at the right time on the schedule. Ragin' Cajun Offense: The Lafayette offense led the Sunbelt Conference in 9 different offensive categories in 2005, rushing for 2,797 yards and 34 touchdowns. UL's 254.3 rushing yards per game was 7th best in the country, and a school record. When comparing rushing numbers to total offensive output - 386.6 yards per game - two things become very clear…. 1) How important the run is to the Cajun offense and 2) Just how critical it becomes for the opponent to stop them if they expect to win the game. Led by all conference tackles Jesse Newman and Brandon Cox, the Cajun offensive line returns three starters. However, the loss of their leader, center Greg Hodges, is a significant loss. It is hoped that JC Transfer Junior Ramos can fill the void left by Hodges. The projected starters at guard - Will Chance and Tim Falter - are solid and help to form a formidable group of starters along the front, but depth is going to be a serious issue, with only 4 of the team's 15 remaining reserves seeing any significant action at all in 2005. UL's least experienced area on offense is at the wide receiver position, but sophomore Derrick Smith (22-250) and senior Corey Frederick (21-293) return. Aside from the run game, the strength of the Cajun offense lies under center. Senior leader, QB Jerry Babb (3rd in UL career yards and plays), teams with 2005 Sun Belt All-Purpose player of the year, QB Michael Desormeaux. Babb is not only the most accurate passer in school history (58.4%), but he's equally adept with his legs, with 1130 career rushing yards on 234 carries. Desormeaux replaced Babb for four games in 2005 (injury), accumulating 1084 yards passing and running. Super-sophomore RB Tyrell Fenroy leads the rushing attack. Fenroy became the first Cajun player to ever rush for 1000 yards as a true freshman. In UL's 6 victories, Fenroy rushed for 785 yards on 124 carries (6.3/carry). He concluded the 2005 season by rushing for 100 yards in each of the last 4 games, a school record for a freshman. When The Cajuns Have The Ball: It's really pretty simple, UL wants to run the football - it's their strength. History under head coach Rickey Bustle indicates that when the Cajuns play well in this area they usually win, especially in Sunbelt Conference games, but when they don't and are not able to run the ball, they usually lose. On the other hand, since UL had difficulty running the football @ LSU last week, it wouldn't surprise me in the least - especially when you factor in the UL experience at quarterback - to see the Cajuns come out early and try to keep the Aggies off-balance a bit by mixing it up on first down. Experienced leadership at the quarterback position may offer flexibility in how The Cajuns approach the contest. I think the Aggies, however, will want to force and dictate at the line of scrimmage in an effort to disrupt and confuse, pressuring (with people) and hopefully limiting UL's ability to consistently establish any type of running game or short passing attack. I think the Aggie defense wins this side of the ball rather convincingly this week as the UL style (approach) is a better fit for A&M to defend. As the game plays out, I could see A&M gaining in confidence and taking a few more chances in coverage, thus creating more opportunity for turnovers. You might not see the full force until the second half, but I expect the Crew to at least work toward getting a part of its old name back in this one. EDGE A&M Ragin' Cajun Defense: The Cajun defensive front is led by all conference pick, DE Tony Hills, and the unit possesses a lot of experience across the front. Senior tackles Marshall Delesdernier, Travis Ferguson and Joe Bradley are all experienced and provide a solid foundation up the middle of the defense. JC transfers Korey Raymond and Lamarr Waiters give the Cajuns two more capable bodies up-front. The team's top two linebackers - Mark Risher and Brent Burkhalter - return as the leading tacklers. Tre' Green and Wes Simon both started at different points during the 2005 season and hope to offer strength at the position. Sophomore Joseph Hadnot is one to definitely keep an eye on. All five corners return, with all-conference CB Michael Adams leading the way. Two starters return at the safety positions for what figures to be an experienced and tough group. When The Aggies Have The Ball: Look for the Ags to win the battle on the ground and attempt to establish a little run game of their own early in this contest. The secondary for UL has proven vulnerable over the last several years, so there may be opportunity here as well. Just last week LSU threw for 299 yards, but I still expect to see the Aggies try and establish the ground as their primary friend first. Remember, minimizing turnovers will be a focus this week after week #1, so I doubt you'll see it aired out 25 times in the first half. If the Cajuns jam eight in the box, then yes, Martellus' big smile could be seen at the conclusion of a couple touchdown catches. Otherwise, prepare for an old-fashioned style of victory in this one ---- establish a run threat and exploit off of that established threat. EDGE A&M Special Teams and other Intangibles: Departed K Sean Comiskey is a loss for the Cajun special teams as he's been the only player to ever attempt an extra point or field goal attempt during Jerry Bustle's career at Lafayette. Drew Edmiston is expected to try and fill the void left by Comiskey and did manage to knock through one of 40+ yards last weekend. P Brit Framel was not only very busy @ LSU, but very efficient as well.....His 6 punts averaged 41.0 on the night. NOTE: Over the last 4 years the Cajuns have blocked 23 kicks on special teams. I expect the Aggies will be working long and hard with the snapper and punter on their release times this week leading up to the game, but this is an area of concern. A&M has a true freshman kicker in Matt Szymanski, but should definitely have the edge on special teams, both punting and kicking. Justin Brantley averaged 56.7 on his three punts last weekend. The Aggies were significantly improved over 2005 in punt and kick coverage during week #1. Watch for UL to attempt to utilize their strength (punt-kick block) in trying to take advantage of an inexperienced A&M snapper. EDGE A&M Prediction: It's one thing to be a dominant running threat in the Sunbelt conference, and quite another to step up in class and attempt to do it - on the road - at a power conference school. LSU slowed the run last weekend (113 yards on 35 attempts) and controlled the game, winning easily, 45-3. Texas A&M should do the same……. Louisiana-Lafayette Roster Louisiana-Lafayette depth chart Texas A&M Roster Texas A&M Depth Chart ASN Prediction: 45-10 Texas A&M |