University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Football: Mid-Week Practice Report
10/21/2009 11:00:00 PM | Football
Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns arrived back in Lafayette from Western Kentucky around 12:30am Sunday. The team was back at practice 18 hours later preparing for Florida Atlantic, winners of their own thriller at North Texas. Following Monday's day off, the Cajuns worked their normal game preparation practices on Tuesday and Wednesday to get ready for their fourth home game of the season. The team will practice on Thursday and walk through on Friday before making an appearance at Downtown Alive later that night.
Head coach Rickey Bustle would like to make a personal invitation to all Cajuns Gridiron Alumni (former UL football players) to join the team in the Cajun Walk on Saturday. Former players can meet the team outside the Track Offices on Reinhardt Drive at 1:45 p.m. (near Bertrand Drive where the buses drop off the players).
Five questions for running backs coach Justin Lustig...
How has practice gone this week?
Lustig: "The players realize that we have not played up to our potential. Coach Bustle has done a great job of communicating to the team that we can play so much better at all three phases. The guys have responded with great effort and the tempo has been great in practice. They are not just going through the motions, they are working hard."
What can a big crowd do to help the team on Saturday?
Lustig: "It was unbelievably loud for the Southern and Kansas State games. The volume can make a huge difference. I know from an offensive and special teams standpoint that noise can create problems for the punt team and every time the offense gets into a huddle. When the fans get loud and get behind us, it helps our momentum and makes it hard on the opponent. We need a big crowd on Saturday."
What do you know about Florida Atlantic?
Lustig: "They are great team, although their record doesn't show it. They've lost two games by a combined four points, so they could easily be 3-2. Their other losses were at Nebraska and at South Carolina, two really good teams."
What impresses you about FAU?
Lustig: "They are not gimmicky, they are a sound, fundamental football team. They have great athletes (on defense) that have great speed. They fly to the football as good as anyone we've seen. Their team speed is comparable to LSU. They play hard and physical and never stop. I like the effort they play with."
What do the Cajuns have going for them this week?
Lustig: "Our experience in close games is a big positive. Our kids have shown the ability to succeed in close games. We've won three close games and there is something to be said about the mental outlook of the team."
Official Louisiana Injury Report (as of Wednesday, October 21, 2009 for game on 10/24): Kyron Benoit, LB (ankle - doubtful); Dwight Bentley, CB (ankle - questionable); Matt Desormeaux, FB (knee - probable); Richie Falgout, WR (ankle - questionable); Rodney Gillis, DB (knee - probable); Ladarius Green, TE (ankle - probable); Chris Lanaux, DE (leg - questionable); Chris Richard, DB (ankle - probable); Undrea Sails, RB (leg - out for season, underwent surgery on 10/21); Jordan Topp, DL (knee - probable, upgraded from out); LaQuincy Williams, DL (knee - out).
IMPORTANT GAMEDAY INFORMATION FOR FANS ABOUT HOMECOMING
-Parking lots open at 6 a.m.
-Gate C Box Office opens at 10 a.m.
-Main Box Office (Baseball Ticket Booth) opens at noon
-Cajun Walk starts at 1:45 p.m.
-Gates open at 2:30 p.m.
-Kickoff is 4 p.m.!!
