University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
McGuire at RB in Scrimmage
3/13/2010 6:25:00 PM | Football
Most of the series were scheduled to last seven plays, meaning the drive stopped, without regard to down and distance, after the seventh snap.
"I liked the effort," head coach Rickey Bustle told his team after the scrimmage. "We are halfway through the spring already and we need to get better."
Ladarius Green was the highlight for the offense, catching both touchdown passes. His first TD came on a 53-yard strike from Chris Masson. Masson found Green open 20 yards down the right side. After making the catch, Green broke a pair of tackles and sprinted into the end zone. Green's second score was courtesy of a 31-yard pass from Blaine Gautier. Gautier put the ball up for grabs down the left sideline and Green used his six-foot-six size to take the ball out of the air and beat the defender into the end zone.
"Ladarius just keeps getting better," Bustle said. "He made two big plays and we'll continue to count on him."
The team held seven players out of the scrimmage due to injury, including running backs Joel Banks, Draylon Booker and Rob Walker. Running backs Julian Shankle and Yobes Walker were both injured early in the scrimmage and sat out for precautionary reasons. Down five players in the backfield, freshman running back Joe Jackson from Lafayette High split time in the backfield with quarterback Brad McGuire.
Jackson ran 12 times for 35 yards. He made one reception for four yards.
McGuire rotated with Masson and Gautier, playing two series at quarterback before making the switch to running back. While at running back, McGuire had five carries for four yards and made three catches for 14 yards. He was 5-of-6 passing for 71 yards and added three rushes for nine yards.
"We are down numbers at the running back position," Bustle added. "That group needs to keep working. It was great to see Brad jump in there and pick-up the slack. He was forced into it, but did a good job."
The Cajuns defense made plays at times, but failed to force any turnovers. Cornerback Orkeys Auriene had the best opportunity to get an interception, but wide receiver Richie Falgout was able to knock the ball loose from Auriene.
Andrew Hebert and Bernard Smith were each unofficially credited with two sacks, as the team totaled six sacks on the day. The quarterbacks were not live early in the scrimmage, but both Gautier and Brady Thomas removed their yellow non-contact jerseys for the final five series.
"Our defense has more speed than usual and runs well," Bustle stated. "They gave good effort, but need to make better tackles and form an attitude."
The Cajuns will continue their normal spring routine with afternoon practices on Monday, Wednesday and Friday before their second spring scrimmage on Saturday, March 20 at 9:30am at Cajun Field.
Unofficial Scrimmage Statistics
Passing
Gautier - 10/12, 133 yds., 1 TD
Masson - 8/14, 100 yds., 1 TD
McGuire - 5/6, 71 yds
Thomas - 7/10, 46 yds
Rushing
Shankle 6-38
Jackson, 12-35
McGuire 8-13
Gautier 6-12
Masson 2-11
Walker, Y. 5-8
Miller 1-(-6)
Team, 1-(-5)
Thomas 9-(13)
Receiving
Green 6-110, 2 TD
Kensey 6-66
Falgout 2-35
Lawson 2-28
Shankle 4-24
Hill 2-24
LeBlanc 1-15
McGuire 3-14
Thompson 1-5
Walker, Y. 1-5
Jackson 1-4
Maxwell 1-4
Kicking
Albrecht 1-3; Made - 41, Missed - 46 (block), 49
Baer 1-3; Made - 46, Missed - 41, 50
Defense
Hebert, 2 sacks, -17 yds.
Smith, 2 sacks, -13 yds
Youman, 1 sack, -4 yds
Moore, 1 sack, -1 yds
Penalties
Offense - 7
Defense - 3
