University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Saturday, October 6
Lafayette
4:00 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
vs
Tulane
Cajuns Host Tulane For 67th Homecoming Contest
10/1/2012 2:16:00 PM | Football
Contact: Brian McCann
Complete Game Notes (PDF Format)
Game 5: Tulane (0-4) at Louisiana (3-1)
When: Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, 4:00 p.m. CDT
Site: Cajun Field (ProGrass, 31,000)
Game Sponsor: Sonic Drive-Inn
TV: Ragin' Cajuns Network (Jeff Palermo, Jake Delhomme & Erin Cofiell)
Radio: Ragin' Cajuns Radio Network
(Jay Walker, Gerald Broussard & Steve Peloquin)
Participating Network Stations
KPEL (1420 AM, Lafayette) Flagship
KXHT (107.9 FM, Lafayette)
WGSO (990 AM, New Orleans)
KTUX (98.9 FM, Shreveport)
KLCL (1470 AM, Lake Charles)
KJEF (1290 AM, Jennings)
KRJO (1680 AM, Monroe)
Series: Tulane Leads, 21-4
Last Meeting: Tulane 38, UL 37 (at UL, Oct. 7, 2000)
UL Web Site: www.RaginCajuns.com
Tickets: UL season tickets available at RaginCajuns.com and by calling (337) 265-2357.
Single game tickets are $30 Reserved, $25 General Admission (Tulane)
$25 Reserved, $20 General Admission (Arkansas State, WKU & South Alabama)
The Storyline:
The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns remain at home this week, hosting Tulane for the 67th annual Homecoming game on Saturday, Oct. 6 beginning at 4:00 p.m. at Cajun Field. . . the game will be televised by the Ragin' Cajuns Network with Jeff Palermo, Jake Delhomme and Erin Cofiell providing commentary. . . UL (3-1) is coming off a dominating 48-20 win over FIU last week, a victory that put it in sole possession of first place in the Sun Belt with a 2-0 mark. . . UL (3-1, 2-0) has won seven straight games at home going back to last year, the third-longest win streak in Cajun Field history. . . UL will try to extend that streak without quarterback Blaine Gautier, who was knocked out of the FIU game with a broken left (throwing) hand and will be sidelined for approximately four weeks. . . Terrance Broadway relieved Gautier against the Panthers, throwing for 228 yards and a touchdown and rushed for two more scores. . . senior Harry Peoples was the favorite receiving target, making 10 catches for 151 yards and a 78-yard TD catch. . . kicker Brett Baer continues to lead the nation in field goals, connecting on kicks from 46 and 23 yards vs. FIU to improve to 10-for-11 this year and 35-for-38 in his career. . . Tulane (0-4) has struggled under first year head coach Curtis Johnson, being outscored by an average of 34.8 points a game, including a 63-10 loss vs. La.-Monroe last week. . .Tulane holds a 21-4 lead in the all-time series and is 2-0 in games played in Lafayette.
Series vs. Tulane:
Saturday's game marks the 26th series meeting between Louisiana and Tulane with the Green Wave holding a 21-4 edge in the series that dates back to 1911. Tulane won the first 16 meetings before the Cajuns won four of five meetings from 1988-95. Tulane holds a four-game win streak. This will be the first meeting between the schools since 2000, a heartbreaking 38-37 loss in one of only two games played in Lafayette.
Tulane In Cajun Field:
Although the Ragin' Cajuns and Green Wave have not played since 2000, Tulane has played in Lafayette recently. In the 2005 season that was affected by Hurricane Katrina, Tulane hosted Houston on Oct. 8 in Cajun Field, dropping a 35-14 decision. The Green Wave played six home games in six different sites. They opened the year with a Sept. 17 game with Mississippi State in Shreveport, La. They played Southeastern Louisiana on Oct. 1 in Baton Rouge, UTEP (Oct. 14, Ruston), Marshall (Oct. 29, Mobile, Ala.) and Tulsa Nov. 19, Monroe)
Homecoming:
Saturday's game will serve as the 67th annual Homecoming contest for Ragin' Cajuns with alumni returning to Lafayette for a weekend of activities. The Cajuns own a 38-26-2 record in Homecoming games and this will be the first time that UL faces a non-conference opponent for Homecoming since dropping a 38-37 decision to Tulane in 2000. That was the only time that Tulane has served as a Homecoming opponent.
UL & The Ragin' Cajuns Network:
Saturday's game will be the second of three games televised this season on the Ragin' Cajuns Network. Formed in 2011 by the UL Athletic Department, the RCN is broadcast to 17 parishes and almost 500,000 households throughout Louisiana with Cox4 serving as the flagship station. Also on tap for the RCN this year will be the Nov. 24 home game against South Alabama. The Cajuns have had good success on the RCN, defeating Nicholls State, Florida Atlantic and North Texas as part of a 3-0 season in 2011 and claiming a 40-0 win over Lamar earlier this year.
Gautier Out:
The Cajuns were hit with bad news over the weekend as senior quarterback Blaine Gautier left the FIU game in the second quarter with a broken left hand and will miss the next four weeks following surgery. Gautier, who missed time with bruised ribs earlier in the year, has not played four quarters in a game this season.
. . . And Broadway Is In:
With Blaine Gautier out, Cajun starting quarterback-in-waiting Terrance Broadway will take over as the starter for the Cajuns a little earlier than expected. Broadway has effective in a backup role. At Troy on Sept. 8, he relieved Gautier in the second quarter and completed 10-of-16 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown and rushing eight times for 43 yards in leading the Ragin' Cajuns to the win. On Saturday vs. FIU, he took over at the start of the second quarter and completed 15-of-19 passes for 228 yards and a touchdown and also ran the ball seven times for 28 yards with touchdown runs of 13 and four yards. For the season, Broadway is 36-55 (.655) for 462 yards and two touchdowns.
Jones Leaves Squad:
Mark Hudspeth announced on Sept. 30 that junior linebacker Delvin Jones has left the team for personal reasons and will not return. Jones, a native of Miami, Fla. who played a part of one season at Ole Miss before moving to Coffeyville C.C., played in two games for the Cajuns this year. He made seven tackles (5 solo).
Run Defense Returns To Form:
After allowing FIU to gain just 55 yards rushing on 38 carries, the Ragin' Cajuns have moved up to 37th nationally in rush defense in the latest NCAA stats. In four games, UL has held its opponent to 120.8 yards rushing per game, including three games of less than 100 yards. The Cajuns opened the year by giving up 38 yards on 37 carries against Lamar and limited Troy to 60 yards on 27 attempts.
Rain, Rain Please Go Away:
After averaging a school and league record 29,171 fans for the five home games in 2011, expectations for 2012 were much higher. Unfortunately, rain during the afternoon preceding both contests limited the crowds from coming out. After 25,803 braved thunderstorms to watch UL shutout Lamar on Sept. 1, rains came again over the weekend, holding the crowd to just 21,109 for the FIU game, the lowest crowd for a game since Mark Hudspeth took over as head coach. UL enters the week averaging 23,456 for the two home games.
4th Down Exploits:
The Cajun defense has successfully stopped its opponents on six of its seven fourth down conversion attempts. Three of the stops have come within the 25 and have figured prominently in a pair of UL wins. At Troy, the Cajuns had stops at their 9 and 25 yard lines when the game was still close. The third stop came last week vs. FIU when UL held on downs at their own 12 in the fourth quarter. The lone fourth down conversion came on a 4th-and-1 at Oklahoma State. Last year, Louisiana opponents were 8-for-21 (.381) on fourth down.
Home Sweet Home:
The win over FIU extended UL's current home win streak to seven straight games, tying it for the third-longest in school history. The Cajuns started the current streak by going 5-0 at home in 2011, the third undefeated season in Cajun Field history and first since 1987. UL has added to it with wins over Lamar (Sept. 1) and FIU (Sept. 29) this season. The record win streak is 11 games, set from 1976-77, and there are also streaks of seven (1994-95) and nine games (1987-88).
Fast Starts:
Although Mark Hudspeth has preached that the fourth quarter belongs to the Cajuns, the truth of the matter in 2012 is that the fourth quarter hasn't been all that important yet. In the three UL wins, the Cajuns have outscored their opponents 91-28 in the first half. UL led Lamar 40-0 after two quarters, owned leads of 20-14 at half and 30-17 after three quarters at Troy and scored the first 24 points of the game against FIU last week.
Harris Approaches 1,000 Yard Mark:
With 251 yards rushing this year, sophomore running back Alonzo Harris is closing in on the 1,000 yard mark for his career. In 16 career games, Harris has carried 214 times for 951 yards and 10 touchdowns with a pair of 100-yard rushing games.
Brown Breaks In:
Junior receiver Bradley Brown saw the most significant action of his UL career against FIU, catching two passed for 68 yards as part of the Cajuns second scoring drive of the game. Brown, a transfer from Northwestern State, had not played since the opening win over Lamar, but was on the travel team for the games at Troy and Oklahoma State. In two seasons at NSU, Brown made 75 catches for 810 yards and four touchdowns, twice earning honorable mention all-league honors.
Protecting The QB:
Through four games, the Cajun offensive line is tied for second nationally, allowing just one quarterback sack in four games this year. Air Force, which has attempted just 44 passes this season, has not allowed a sack this year while the Cajuns are joined by Middle Tennessee as the only teams to give up just one sack. The lone UL sack came in the first series at Oklahoma State when Blaine Gautier was caught for an eight-yard loss. Last year, UL allowed 25 sacks totalling 169 yards lost in 13 games.
Baer Kicks Way To The UL Record Book:
Senior kicker Brett Baer has started his senior season out on the right foot, connecting on 10 of his 11 field goal attempts and all 17 extra points this year. Baer. . .
. . . made his first seven field goal attempts to extend his streak of consecutive field goals made to 18 dating back to last year, breaking the Sun Belt record of 17 consecutive field goals made by La.-Monroe's Cole Wilson (2006-07) and besting Mike Shafer's UL school record of 14 consecutive field goals made, which was set in 1994.
. . . tied the school mark for points in a game by a kicker with 16 in the win over Lamar on Sept. 1. He equalled the record of 16 points by Rafael Septien (vs. San Jose State in 1974) and Mike Lemoine (vs. Central Michigan in 1989). Baer's 52-yard field goal to open the scoring was the longest of his career and tied for the seventh longest in school history.
. . . set a career high for field goals made in a game against Lamar, coming one field goal short of the UL school record of five shared by Rafael Septien (vs. San Jose State in 1974) and Mike Lemoine (vs. CMU in 1989).
The Defense Gets On The Board:
When Jemarlous Moten returned a fumble 56 yards for a touchdown against Troy on Sept. 8, it marked the ninth time under Mark Hudspeth that the Cajuns defense scored a touchdown. Last year, UL defenders ranked second nationally with seven interception returns for scores and also added one fumble recovery for a TD. For Moten, it was his third defensive touchdown over the last two years. Moten posted interception returns for scores against Arizona and Oklahoma State. Senior Melvin White is the only other returning defender with a touchdown, returning an interception 89 yards for a score against Troy and returning a blocked field goal 68 yards vs. Nicholls State.
. . . And Pitches A Shutout:
The 40-0 victory over Lamar on Sept. 1 marked the first shutout for the Cajuns since a 6-0 win at Florida Atlantic on Oct. 18, 2006, a span covering 69 games. Going even further back, the last shutout by a UL squad at Cajun Field came 54 home games prior in a 34-0 win over UAB on Sept. 21, 2002.
A Good Month:
The month of September has proven to be a good one for the Cajuns under head coach Mark Hudspeth as UL is now 6-2 during the month over the last two seasons. The only team to trip the Ragin' Cajuns up in September is Oklahoma State, which has been responsible for both UL losses in the month.
Red Zone Rewards:
The Ragin' Cajuns scored on six of its seven trips to the red zone against FIU, making UL successful in scoring in 19 of its 20 red zone trips this season, good for eighth in the nation. Oklahoma State, Alabama, Wake Forest and Buffalo lead the nation by being perfect in the red zone this year while Clemson, Louisville and Louisiana Tech are each 21 for 22 to tie for fifth. The Cajuns have scored 13 touchdowns and six field goals in its 20 red zone trips. Last year, UL was successful on 38 of its 41 red zone trips (.927), scoring 27 touchdowns.
. . . But That One Red Zone Trip Shouldn't Count:
The lone transgression by the Cajuns in the red zone this year came at the end of Saturday's FIU game when UL stopped the Panthers on downs at the FIU 11 with 1:21 left. Up 28 points already, the Cajuns elected to take a knee instead of trying to score. It ended UL's streak of successful red zone trips at 22 going back to last year.
A Turnover Tale:
The Cajuns continue to excel at one of Mark Hudspeth's preseason goals of taking better care of the ball and being more opportunistic defensively, ranking ninth nationally in turnover margin (+6.0). In four games, UL has forced 10 turnovers (5 fumbles & 5 INTs) while committing just four (all fumbles). More importantly, the Cajuns have turned those 10 miscues into 43 points (4 TDs & 5 FGs) while the four UL turnovers have led to just 10 points.
. . . And Cajuns Have Yet To Throw A Pick:
Through the first month of the season, UL is one of six FBS teams that have not thrown an interception this year. The Cajuns have attempted 122 passes this year, which is fourth among the group. Of the teams without an interception this year, Toledo has attempted the most passes (186), followed by Ohio (152), Louisiana Tech (134), UL, Alabama (117) and Air Force (44). Terrance Broadway has attempted 55 passes this year while Blain Gautier has the other 67.
Baer Moves Into Eighth On Career Scoring Chart:
With 12 points in the win over FIU, his third double-figure scoring game of the year, Brett Baer has moved into eighth on the UL career scoring chart (and fifth among kickers). Baer, who begins the week with 190 career points (35 field goals & 86 extra points), moved past ninth place John Rovetto (179 points from 1977-79) and eighth place Mike Shafer (183, 1993-95) last week. He now needs just two points to catch Drew Edmiston (2006-08) and Mike Lemoine (1988-90), who are tied for sixth with 192 points each. Baer has scored 47 points this year to lead the Sun Belt and rank 10th nationally (and second among kickers).
The Wait Has Been Worth It For Gillis:
It took fifth-year senior Rodney Gillis more than four years to break into the starting lineup, but since earning his first start in the season opener, he has made the most of his playing opportunities. He is third on the team with 20 tackles this year, including a career-high 12 tackles at Oklahoma State and six at Troy. In the season opener vs. Lamar, he had a hand in two of the four turnovers that UL forced, making his first career interception to end one drive and recovering a fumble on the next. Gillis came back last week to make his second career interception in the third quarter against FIU. Gillis joined the program in 2008 and redshirted. He did not play during the 2009 campaign and then tore an ACL in his knee the following spring and missed the 2010 season. Gillis came back to play in 11 games as a reserve last season, making nine tackles.
Griffin Makes Most Of Position Change:
After rushing 69 times for 210 yards and three touchdowns in the first 11 games as a true-freshman in 2011, Qyendarius Griffin made the move to the secondary in order to get more time on the field. Already one of the team's best special teams performers — he was third on the team with nine special teams tackles last year — Griffin has taken to the move. In his first start at linebacker, he led the Cajuns with six tackles against Lamar, returning a fumble five yards in the first quarter to set up a field goal. In four games, he is tied for third on the team with 20 tackles.
A Comeback For Stover:
Another feel good moment this season has been the return to the lineup of sophomore Hunter Stover, who has shared the kickoff chores with Brett Baer. Stover kicked off 47 times in the first eight games for the Cajuns last year before suffering a torn ACL in his right knee at Western Kentucky, requiring season-ending surgery. The surgery was nothing new to Stover. In high school, he tore the ACL in his left knee and a post-surgery infection required a second ACL replacement. The surgeries must have worked as Stover kicked off 11 times this year, recording four touchbacks and a 63.3 average. Last year, he averaged 60.3 yards with only one touchback.
The Baer Foot:
Senior kicker Brett Baer is quickly moving towards being the most accurate kicker in NCAA FBS history. In three seasons as UL's regular kicker, he has made 35-of-38 field goal attempts (.921), which is ahead of the NCAA field goal accuracy mark of .878 by Florida State's Bobby Raymond (43-49 in 1983-84). Baer will need to attempt seven more field goals this year to meet the NCAA minimum of 45 career attempts. Baer made all seven attempts in 2010 and was 18-for-20 last year to lead the country in field goal percentage (.900). He is 10-for-11 this year to share the national lead for field goals.
. . . And The Baer Truth:
Brett Baer turned in one of the best all-around kicking performances in UL history in 2011, earning second team All-Sun Belt honors as both a kicker and punter while also being a semifinalist for the Groza Award, which is given to the nation's top kicker. Baer. . .
. . . led the nation in field goal accuracy, making 18-of-20 attempts (.900).
. . . ended the season making his final 11 attempts, leaving him three short of Mike Shafer's school record of 14 straight field goals made set in 1994.
. . . recorded the second-highest field goal total in school history (18), one short of the record 19 by John Roveto.
. . . was 46-for-50 in extra points, four short of Drew Edmiston's record of extra points in 2008.
. . . led the team with 100 points, the third-highest total ever and the most by a kicker. He trailed only the 114 points by Tyrell Fenroy (2008) and Brian Mitchell (1988).
. . . won two games with field goals as time expired, a 26-yard kick vs. Florida Atlantic and a career-long 50-yard effort vs. San Diego State in the New Orleans Bowl.
Lawson Surpasses 100 Catch Mark:
A modest two catch night by Javone Lawson against FIU allowed the senior to move into seventh place on the UL career receiving chart with 110 career receptions. He passed Andre George, who had 109 catches from 1999-2002. Lawson enters the Tulane game with career totals of 110 catches for 1,648 yards and 11 touchdowns. Last year, Lawson became only fifth Cajun to catch passes for more than 1,000 yards last season, making 63 catches for 1,092 yards and eight touchdowns.
Good Beginning For Reed:
The improved Cajun running game has been helped this year by the play of redshirt freshman Effrem Reed. In four games, Reed has rushed 33 times for 179 yards and two touchdowns. He set career highs for carries (11) and yards (62) in the win over FIU, scoring on a seven-yard run in the fourth quarter.
Coaching Continuity:
UL is one of only 16 FBS schools to return the head coach and all nine assistant coaches from the previous season, according to research by Coachingsearch.com. To take things even further, the Cajuns also bring back the four graduate and administrative assistants on the coaching staff and all three weight room staff members. The other 15 schools with their entire coaching staff back are BYU, Colorado, Florida State, Georgia, Louisiana Tech, Miami (FL), Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Mississippi State, Northwestern, Oregon, San Diego State, Texas, Virginia and Virginia Tech.
Impact Freshmen:
Despite the increased number of players seeing action this year, one number that is down significantly is the number of true-freshmen to see the field. Last year, UL used nine different first-year freshmen during the season. That number dropped to just three to date this season as linebackers Christian Hill and Tyren Alexander and safety Al-Damien Riles are the only first-year freshmen to see playing time. Alexander has made nine tackles, including a pair of tackles for loss (-5 yards), in the three contests while Riles has made four stops and Hill three.
Remembering Mickey:
The UL football team is honored to include on their helmets in 2012 a decal in memory of 21-year old UL student Mickey Shunick, who was kidnapped while riding her bicycle and later murdered in the early morning hours on May 19. The football staff worked with the Shunick family to come up with the design of the decal. It features a drawing of a woman riding a bicycle with her hands in the air with the name Mickey underneath, a design that has become popular among the friends and family of Shunick. “We're just honored to do this for Mickey and her family,” head coach Mark Hudspeth said. “Obviously, what we do on the field doesn't even come close to the kind of courage and fight that she showed. We just want to remember one of our own in a way that would make her proud.”
The Line That Plays Together, Stays Together:
Terrance Broadway should feel comfortable under center this year as four of the five starters on the offensive line return, each of whom played in almost 95-percent of the snaps last year. The quartet of seniors Leonardo Bates (LT) and Jaron Odom (RT), junior Andre Huval (C) and sophomore Daniel Quave (RG). The foursome combine to have made 84 career starts, including all the last 17 games together. Odom and Huval each played 925 of the 936 offensive snaps last year with Quave (890) and Bates (887) being not far behind. The fifth starter on the unit this year is Mykhael Quave, the younger brother of Daniel.
. . .And The Line Features Size:
The offensive line not only features experience, but size as well. The five starters average 6-4, 308 pounds, giving UL one of the biggest offensive lines in the SBC. The left side of the line features tackle Leonardo Bates (6-5, 296) and Mykhael Quave (6-5, 300) with Andre Huval (6-1, 290) at center. The right side of the line starts tackle Jaron Odom (6-6, 330) and guard Daniel Quave (6-3, 324).
A Little Of This. . .A Little Of That:
• The wins over Lamar and Troy to open the season allowed the Cajuns to start with a 2-0 record for only the second time since 1990 and the first since 2009.
• The 40-point halftime spread against Lamar allowed Mark Hudspeth to use 68 players in the game, the most since he took over the program (58 was old high vs. North Texas and Middle Tennessee in 2011).
• The longest play of the season resulted in no points when Jamal Robinson caught an 86-yard pass from Blaine Gautier vs. Lamar. It was the longest non-scoring pass play in school history, besting the old record of 82 yards of Michael Desormeaux to Richie Falgout vs. FIU in 2008. It was also tied for the fourth-longest pass play as well.
• The Sept. 8 win at Troy saw a pair of extended streaks come to an end. It was the first victory in a road opener since upending Tulane, 48-6 on Sept. 1, 1990, a streak of 21 straight losses. It also halted Troy's 25-game win streak in home openers.
• Five Cajuns were named to the 2012 Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference team, which was determined by a vote of head coaches and select media throughout the conference. Seniors Melvin White (CB), Brett Baer (K), Leonardo Bates (OT) and Javone Lawson (WR) and sophomore Alonzo Harris (RB) were each honored.
• In five games last year, the Cajuns drew 145,854 fans to set the school and SBC records for average attendance (29,171) and the SBC mark for total attendance. The total was a Cajun Field record for a five-game season, but fell short of the overall record of 163,143 set in 1976 when the Cajuns played seven home games. The 2011 season produced five of the top 15 crowds in Cajun Field history.
• The Cajuns also led all FBS schools in 2011 with an attendance increase of 11,788 fans per game. UL averaged just 17,383 fans per game in 2010 but improved to 29,171 last year to beat out Arizona State, Stanford, Iowa State, Temple, Florida State and Oklahoma State for the top honor.
Next Up:
The Cajuns take to the road for the first of two Tuesday night games in October, playing at North Texas at 8:00 p.m. CDT on Oct. 16 in a game that will be televised nationally on ESPN2. UL will then return home the following week to host Arkansas State on Oct. 23 at 7:00 p.m CDT.
Complete Game Notes (PDF Format)
Game 5: Tulane (0-4) at Louisiana (3-1)
When: Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, 4:00 p.m. CDT
Site: Cajun Field (ProGrass, 31,000)
Game Sponsor: Sonic Drive-Inn
TV: Ragin' Cajuns Network (Jeff Palermo, Jake Delhomme & Erin Cofiell)
Radio: Ragin' Cajuns Radio Network
(Jay Walker, Gerald Broussard & Steve Peloquin)
Participating Network Stations
KPEL (1420 AM, Lafayette) Flagship
KXHT (107.9 FM, Lafayette)
WGSO (990 AM, New Orleans)
KTUX (98.9 FM, Shreveport)
KLCL (1470 AM, Lake Charles)
KJEF (1290 AM, Jennings)
KRJO (1680 AM, Monroe)
Series: Tulane Leads, 21-4
Last Meeting: Tulane 38, UL 37 (at UL, Oct. 7, 2000)
UL Web Site: www.RaginCajuns.com
Tickets: UL season tickets available at RaginCajuns.com and by calling (337) 265-2357.
Single game tickets are $30 Reserved, $25 General Admission (Tulane)
$25 Reserved, $20 General Admission (Arkansas State, WKU & South Alabama)
The Storyline:
The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns remain at home this week, hosting Tulane for the 67th annual Homecoming game on Saturday, Oct. 6 beginning at 4:00 p.m. at Cajun Field. . . the game will be televised by the Ragin' Cajuns Network with Jeff Palermo, Jake Delhomme and Erin Cofiell providing commentary. . . UL (3-1) is coming off a dominating 48-20 win over FIU last week, a victory that put it in sole possession of first place in the Sun Belt with a 2-0 mark. . . UL (3-1, 2-0) has won seven straight games at home going back to last year, the third-longest win streak in Cajun Field history. . . UL will try to extend that streak without quarterback Blaine Gautier, who was knocked out of the FIU game with a broken left (throwing) hand and will be sidelined for approximately four weeks. . . Terrance Broadway relieved Gautier against the Panthers, throwing for 228 yards and a touchdown and rushed for two more scores. . . senior Harry Peoples was the favorite receiving target, making 10 catches for 151 yards and a 78-yard TD catch. . . kicker Brett Baer continues to lead the nation in field goals, connecting on kicks from 46 and 23 yards vs. FIU to improve to 10-for-11 this year and 35-for-38 in his career. . . Tulane (0-4) has struggled under first year head coach Curtis Johnson, being outscored by an average of 34.8 points a game, including a 63-10 loss vs. La.-Monroe last week. . .Tulane holds a 21-4 lead in the all-time series and is 2-0 in games played in Lafayette.
Series vs. Tulane:
Saturday's game marks the 26th series meeting between Louisiana and Tulane with the Green Wave holding a 21-4 edge in the series that dates back to 1911. Tulane won the first 16 meetings before the Cajuns won four of five meetings from 1988-95. Tulane holds a four-game win streak. This will be the first meeting between the schools since 2000, a heartbreaking 38-37 loss in one of only two games played in Lafayette.
Tulane In Cajun Field:
Although the Ragin' Cajuns and Green Wave have not played since 2000, Tulane has played in Lafayette recently. In the 2005 season that was affected by Hurricane Katrina, Tulane hosted Houston on Oct. 8 in Cajun Field, dropping a 35-14 decision. The Green Wave played six home games in six different sites. They opened the year with a Sept. 17 game with Mississippi State in Shreveport, La. They played Southeastern Louisiana on Oct. 1 in Baton Rouge, UTEP (Oct. 14, Ruston), Marshall (Oct. 29, Mobile, Ala.) and Tulsa Nov. 19, Monroe)
Homecoming:
Saturday's game will serve as the 67th annual Homecoming contest for Ragin' Cajuns with alumni returning to Lafayette for a weekend of activities. The Cajuns own a 38-26-2 record in Homecoming games and this will be the first time that UL faces a non-conference opponent for Homecoming since dropping a 38-37 decision to Tulane in 2000. That was the only time that Tulane has served as a Homecoming opponent.
UL & The Ragin' Cajuns Network:
Saturday's game will be the second of three games televised this season on the Ragin' Cajuns Network. Formed in 2011 by the UL Athletic Department, the RCN is broadcast to 17 parishes and almost 500,000 households throughout Louisiana with Cox4 serving as the flagship station. Also on tap for the RCN this year will be the Nov. 24 home game against South Alabama. The Cajuns have had good success on the RCN, defeating Nicholls State, Florida Atlantic and North Texas as part of a 3-0 season in 2011 and claiming a 40-0 win over Lamar earlier this year.
Gautier Out:
The Cajuns were hit with bad news over the weekend as senior quarterback Blaine Gautier left the FIU game in the second quarter with a broken left hand and will miss the next four weeks following surgery. Gautier, who missed time with bruised ribs earlier in the year, has not played four quarters in a game this season.
. . . And Broadway Is In:
With Blaine Gautier out, Cajun starting quarterback-in-waiting Terrance Broadway will take over as the starter for the Cajuns a little earlier than expected. Broadway has effective in a backup role. At Troy on Sept. 8, he relieved Gautier in the second quarter and completed 10-of-16 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown and rushing eight times for 43 yards in leading the Ragin' Cajuns to the win. On Saturday vs. FIU, he took over at the start of the second quarter and completed 15-of-19 passes for 228 yards and a touchdown and also ran the ball seven times for 28 yards with touchdown runs of 13 and four yards. For the season, Broadway is 36-55 (.655) for 462 yards and two touchdowns.
Jones Leaves Squad:
Mark Hudspeth announced on Sept. 30 that junior linebacker Delvin Jones has left the team for personal reasons and will not return. Jones, a native of Miami, Fla. who played a part of one season at Ole Miss before moving to Coffeyville C.C., played in two games for the Cajuns this year. He made seven tackles (5 solo).
Run Defense Returns To Form:
After allowing FIU to gain just 55 yards rushing on 38 carries, the Ragin' Cajuns have moved up to 37th nationally in rush defense in the latest NCAA stats. In four games, UL has held its opponent to 120.8 yards rushing per game, including three games of less than 100 yards. The Cajuns opened the year by giving up 38 yards on 37 carries against Lamar and limited Troy to 60 yards on 27 attempts.
Rain, Rain Please Go Away:
After averaging a school and league record 29,171 fans for the five home games in 2011, expectations for 2012 were much higher. Unfortunately, rain during the afternoon preceding both contests limited the crowds from coming out. After 25,803 braved thunderstorms to watch UL shutout Lamar on Sept. 1, rains came again over the weekend, holding the crowd to just 21,109 for the FIU game, the lowest crowd for a game since Mark Hudspeth took over as head coach. UL enters the week averaging 23,456 for the two home games.
4th Down Exploits:
The Cajun defense has successfully stopped its opponents on six of its seven fourth down conversion attempts. Three of the stops have come within the 25 and have figured prominently in a pair of UL wins. At Troy, the Cajuns had stops at their 9 and 25 yard lines when the game was still close. The third stop came last week vs. FIU when UL held on downs at their own 12 in the fourth quarter. The lone fourth down conversion came on a 4th-and-1 at Oklahoma State. Last year, Louisiana opponents were 8-for-21 (.381) on fourth down.
Home Sweet Home:
The win over FIU extended UL's current home win streak to seven straight games, tying it for the third-longest in school history. The Cajuns started the current streak by going 5-0 at home in 2011, the third undefeated season in Cajun Field history and first since 1987. UL has added to it with wins over Lamar (Sept. 1) and FIU (Sept. 29) this season. The record win streak is 11 games, set from 1976-77, and there are also streaks of seven (1994-95) and nine games (1987-88).
Fast Starts:
Although Mark Hudspeth has preached that the fourth quarter belongs to the Cajuns, the truth of the matter in 2012 is that the fourth quarter hasn't been all that important yet. In the three UL wins, the Cajuns have outscored their opponents 91-28 in the first half. UL led Lamar 40-0 after two quarters, owned leads of 20-14 at half and 30-17 after three quarters at Troy and scored the first 24 points of the game against FIU last week.
Harris Approaches 1,000 Yard Mark:
With 251 yards rushing this year, sophomore running back Alonzo Harris is closing in on the 1,000 yard mark for his career. In 16 career games, Harris has carried 214 times for 951 yards and 10 touchdowns with a pair of 100-yard rushing games.
Brown Breaks In:
Junior receiver Bradley Brown saw the most significant action of his UL career against FIU, catching two passed for 68 yards as part of the Cajuns second scoring drive of the game. Brown, a transfer from Northwestern State, had not played since the opening win over Lamar, but was on the travel team for the games at Troy and Oklahoma State. In two seasons at NSU, Brown made 75 catches for 810 yards and four touchdowns, twice earning honorable mention all-league honors.
Protecting The QB:
Through four games, the Cajun offensive line is tied for second nationally, allowing just one quarterback sack in four games this year. Air Force, which has attempted just 44 passes this season, has not allowed a sack this year while the Cajuns are joined by Middle Tennessee as the only teams to give up just one sack. The lone UL sack came in the first series at Oklahoma State when Blaine Gautier was caught for an eight-yard loss. Last year, UL allowed 25 sacks totalling 169 yards lost in 13 games.
Baer Kicks Way To The UL Record Book:
Senior kicker Brett Baer has started his senior season out on the right foot, connecting on 10 of his 11 field goal attempts and all 17 extra points this year. Baer. . .
. . . made his first seven field goal attempts to extend his streak of consecutive field goals made to 18 dating back to last year, breaking the Sun Belt record of 17 consecutive field goals made by La.-Monroe's Cole Wilson (2006-07) and besting Mike Shafer's UL school record of 14 consecutive field goals made, which was set in 1994.
. . . tied the school mark for points in a game by a kicker with 16 in the win over Lamar on Sept. 1. He equalled the record of 16 points by Rafael Septien (vs. San Jose State in 1974) and Mike Lemoine (vs. Central Michigan in 1989). Baer's 52-yard field goal to open the scoring was the longest of his career and tied for the seventh longest in school history.
. . . set a career high for field goals made in a game against Lamar, coming one field goal short of the UL school record of five shared by Rafael Septien (vs. San Jose State in 1974) and Mike Lemoine (vs. CMU in 1989).
The Defense Gets On The Board:
When Jemarlous Moten returned a fumble 56 yards for a touchdown against Troy on Sept. 8, it marked the ninth time under Mark Hudspeth that the Cajuns defense scored a touchdown. Last year, UL defenders ranked second nationally with seven interception returns for scores and also added one fumble recovery for a TD. For Moten, it was his third defensive touchdown over the last two years. Moten posted interception returns for scores against Arizona and Oklahoma State. Senior Melvin White is the only other returning defender with a touchdown, returning an interception 89 yards for a score against Troy and returning a blocked field goal 68 yards vs. Nicholls State.
. . . And Pitches A Shutout:
The 40-0 victory over Lamar on Sept. 1 marked the first shutout for the Cajuns since a 6-0 win at Florida Atlantic on Oct. 18, 2006, a span covering 69 games. Going even further back, the last shutout by a UL squad at Cajun Field came 54 home games prior in a 34-0 win over UAB on Sept. 21, 2002.
A Good Month:
The month of September has proven to be a good one for the Cajuns under head coach Mark Hudspeth as UL is now 6-2 during the month over the last two seasons. The only team to trip the Ragin' Cajuns up in September is Oklahoma State, which has been responsible for both UL losses in the month.
Red Zone Rewards:
The Ragin' Cajuns scored on six of its seven trips to the red zone against FIU, making UL successful in scoring in 19 of its 20 red zone trips this season, good for eighth in the nation. Oklahoma State, Alabama, Wake Forest and Buffalo lead the nation by being perfect in the red zone this year while Clemson, Louisville and Louisiana Tech are each 21 for 22 to tie for fifth. The Cajuns have scored 13 touchdowns and six field goals in its 20 red zone trips. Last year, UL was successful on 38 of its 41 red zone trips (.927), scoring 27 touchdowns.
. . . But That One Red Zone Trip Shouldn't Count:
The lone transgression by the Cajuns in the red zone this year came at the end of Saturday's FIU game when UL stopped the Panthers on downs at the FIU 11 with 1:21 left. Up 28 points already, the Cajuns elected to take a knee instead of trying to score. It ended UL's streak of successful red zone trips at 22 going back to last year.
A Turnover Tale:
The Cajuns continue to excel at one of Mark Hudspeth's preseason goals of taking better care of the ball and being more opportunistic defensively, ranking ninth nationally in turnover margin (+6.0). In four games, UL has forced 10 turnovers (5 fumbles & 5 INTs) while committing just four (all fumbles). More importantly, the Cajuns have turned those 10 miscues into 43 points (4 TDs & 5 FGs) while the four UL turnovers have led to just 10 points.
. . . And Cajuns Have Yet To Throw A Pick:
Through the first month of the season, UL is one of six FBS teams that have not thrown an interception this year. The Cajuns have attempted 122 passes this year, which is fourth among the group. Of the teams without an interception this year, Toledo has attempted the most passes (186), followed by Ohio (152), Louisiana Tech (134), UL, Alabama (117) and Air Force (44). Terrance Broadway has attempted 55 passes this year while Blain Gautier has the other 67.
Baer Moves Into Eighth On Career Scoring Chart:
With 12 points in the win over FIU, his third double-figure scoring game of the year, Brett Baer has moved into eighth on the UL career scoring chart (and fifth among kickers). Baer, who begins the week with 190 career points (35 field goals & 86 extra points), moved past ninth place John Rovetto (179 points from 1977-79) and eighth place Mike Shafer (183, 1993-95) last week. He now needs just two points to catch Drew Edmiston (2006-08) and Mike Lemoine (1988-90), who are tied for sixth with 192 points each. Baer has scored 47 points this year to lead the Sun Belt and rank 10th nationally (and second among kickers).
The Wait Has Been Worth It For Gillis:
It took fifth-year senior Rodney Gillis more than four years to break into the starting lineup, but since earning his first start in the season opener, he has made the most of his playing opportunities. He is third on the team with 20 tackles this year, including a career-high 12 tackles at Oklahoma State and six at Troy. In the season opener vs. Lamar, he had a hand in two of the four turnovers that UL forced, making his first career interception to end one drive and recovering a fumble on the next. Gillis came back last week to make his second career interception in the third quarter against FIU. Gillis joined the program in 2008 and redshirted. He did not play during the 2009 campaign and then tore an ACL in his knee the following spring and missed the 2010 season. Gillis came back to play in 11 games as a reserve last season, making nine tackles.
Griffin Makes Most Of Position Change:
After rushing 69 times for 210 yards and three touchdowns in the first 11 games as a true-freshman in 2011, Qyendarius Griffin made the move to the secondary in order to get more time on the field. Already one of the team's best special teams performers — he was third on the team with nine special teams tackles last year — Griffin has taken to the move. In his first start at linebacker, he led the Cajuns with six tackles against Lamar, returning a fumble five yards in the first quarter to set up a field goal. In four games, he is tied for third on the team with 20 tackles.
A Comeback For Stover:
Another feel good moment this season has been the return to the lineup of sophomore Hunter Stover, who has shared the kickoff chores with Brett Baer. Stover kicked off 47 times in the first eight games for the Cajuns last year before suffering a torn ACL in his right knee at Western Kentucky, requiring season-ending surgery. The surgery was nothing new to Stover. In high school, he tore the ACL in his left knee and a post-surgery infection required a second ACL replacement. The surgeries must have worked as Stover kicked off 11 times this year, recording four touchbacks and a 63.3 average. Last year, he averaged 60.3 yards with only one touchback.
The Baer Foot:
Senior kicker Brett Baer is quickly moving towards being the most accurate kicker in NCAA FBS history. In three seasons as UL's regular kicker, he has made 35-of-38 field goal attempts (.921), which is ahead of the NCAA field goal accuracy mark of .878 by Florida State's Bobby Raymond (43-49 in 1983-84). Baer will need to attempt seven more field goals this year to meet the NCAA minimum of 45 career attempts. Baer made all seven attempts in 2010 and was 18-for-20 last year to lead the country in field goal percentage (.900). He is 10-for-11 this year to share the national lead for field goals.
. . . And The Baer Truth:
Brett Baer turned in one of the best all-around kicking performances in UL history in 2011, earning second team All-Sun Belt honors as both a kicker and punter while also being a semifinalist for the Groza Award, which is given to the nation's top kicker. Baer. . .
. . . led the nation in field goal accuracy, making 18-of-20 attempts (.900).
. . . ended the season making his final 11 attempts, leaving him three short of Mike Shafer's school record of 14 straight field goals made set in 1994.
. . . recorded the second-highest field goal total in school history (18), one short of the record 19 by John Roveto.
. . . was 46-for-50 in extra points, four short of Drew Edmiston's record of extra points in 2008.
. . . led the team with 100 points, the third-highest total ever and the most by a kicker. He trailed only the 114 points by Tyrell Fenroy (2008) and Brian Mitchell (1988).
. . . won two games with field goals as time expired, a 26-yard kick vs. Florida Atlantic and a career-long 50-yard effort vs. San Diego State in the New Orleans Bowl.
Lawson Surpasses 100 Catch Mark:
A modest two catch night by Javone Lawson against FIU allowed the senior to move into seventh place on the UL career receiving chart with 110 career receptions. He passed Andre George, who had 109 catches from 1999-2002. Lawson enters the Tulane game with career totals of 110 catches for 1,648 yards and 11 touchdowns. Last year, Lawson became only fifth Cajun to catch passes for more than 1,000 yards last season, making 63 catches for 1,092 yards and eight touchdowns.
Good Beginning For Reed:
The improved Cajun running game has been helped this year by the play of redshirt freshman Effrem Reed. In four games, Reed has rushed 33 times for 179 yards and two touchdowns. He set career highs for carries (11) and yards (62) in the win over FIU, scoring on a seven-yard run in the fourth quarter.
Coaching Continuity:
UL is one of only 16 FBS schools to return the head coach and all nine assistant coaches from the previous season, according to research by Coachingsearch.com. To take things even further, the Cajuns also bring back the four graduate and administrative assistants on the coaching staff and all three weight room staff members. The other 15 schools with their entire coaching staff back are BYU, Colorado, Florida State, Georgia, Louisiana Tech, Miami (FL), Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Mississippi State, Northwestern, Oregon, San Diego State, Texas, Virginia and Virginia Tech.
Impact Freshmen:
Despite the increased number of players seeing action this year, one number that is down significantly is the number of true-freshmen to see the field. Last year, UL used nine different first-year freshmen during the season. That number dropped to just three to date this season as linebackers Christian Hill and Tyren Alexander and safety Al-Damien Riles are the only first-year freshmen to see playing time. Alexander has made nine tackles, including a pair of tackles for loss (-5 yards), in the three contests while Riles has made four stops and Hill three.
Remembering Mickey:
The UL football team is honored to include on their helmets in 2012 a decal in memory of 21-year old UL student Mickey Shunick, who was kidnapped while riding her bicycle and later murdered in the early morning hours on May 19. The football staff worked with the Shunick family to come up with the design of the decal. It features a drawing of a woman riding a bicycle with her hands in the air with the name Mickey underneath, a design that has become popular among the friends and family of Shunick. “We're just honored to do this for Mickey and her family,” head coach Mark Hudspeth said. “Obviously, what we do on the field doesn't even come close to the kind of courage and fight that she showed. We just want to remember one of our own in a way that would make her proud.”
The Line That Plays Together, Stays Together:
Terrance Broadway should feel comfortable under center this year as four of the five starters on the offensive line return, each of whom played in almost 95-percent of the snaps last year. The quartet of seniors Leonardo Bates (LT) and Jaron Odom (RT), junior Andre Huval (C) and sophomore Daniel Quave (RG). The foursome combine to have made 84 career starts, including all the last 17 games together. Odom and Huval each played 925 of the 936 offensive snaps last year with Quave (890) and Bates (887) being not far behind. The fifth starter on the unit this year is Mykhael Quave, the younger brother of Daniel.
. . .And The Line Features Size:
The offensive line not only features experience, but size as well. The five starters average 6-4, 308 pounds, giving UL one of the biggest offensive lines in the SBC. The left side of the line features tackle Leonardo Bates (6-5, 296) and Mykhael Quave (6-5, 300) with Andre Huval (6-1, 290) at center. The right side of the line starts tackle Jaron Odom (6-6, 330) and guard Daniel Quave (6-3, 324).
A Little Of This. . .A Little Of That:
• The wins over Lamar and Troy to open the season allowed the Cajuns to start with a 2-0 record for only the second time since 1990 and the first since 2009.
• The 40-point halftime spread against Lamar allowed Mark Hudspeth to use 68 players in the game, the most since he took over the program (58 was old high vs. North Texas and Middle Tennessee in 2011).
• The longest play of the season resulted in no points when Jamal Robinson caught an 86-yard pass from Blaine Gautier vs. Lamar. It was the longest non-scoring pass play in school history, besting the old record of 82 yards of Michael Desormeaux to Richie Falgout vs. FIU in 2008. It was also tied for the fourth-longest pass play as well.
• The Sept. 8 win at Troy saw a pair of extended streaks come to an end. It was the first victory in a road opener since upending Tulane, 48-6 on Sept. 1, 1990, a streak of 21 straight losses. It also halted Troy's 25-game win streak in home openers.
• Five Cajuns were named to the 2012 Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference team, which was determined by a vote of head coaches and select media throughout the conference. Seniors Melvin White (CB), Brett Baer (K), Leonardo Bates (OT) and Javone Lawson (WR) and sophomore Alonzo Harris (RB) were each honored.
• In five games last year, the Cajuns drew 145,854 fans to set the school and SBC records for average attendance (29,171) and the SBC mark for total attendance. The total was a Cajun Field record for a five-game season, but fell short of the overall record of 163,143 set in 1976 when the Cajuns played seven home games. The 2011 season produced five of the top 15 crowds in Cajun Field history.
• The Cajuns also led all FBS schools in 2011 with an attendance increase of 11,788 fans per game. UL averaged just 17,383 fans per game in 2010 but improved to 29,171 last year to beat out Arizona State, Stanford, Iowa State, Temple, Florida State and Oklahoma State for the top honor.
Next Up:
The Cajuns take to the road for the first of two Tuesday night games in October, playing at North Texas at 8:00 p.m. CDT on Oct. 16 in a game that will be televised nationally on ESPN2. UL will then return home the following week to host Arkansas State on Oct. 23 at 7:00 p.m CDT.
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