University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Cajuns Break Camp A Little Early
8/22/2013 6:50:00 PM | Football
Contact:Â Brian McCann
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LAFAYETTE, La. – Another first occurred for the Ragin' Cajuns football team during Thursday's late afternoon practice. It ended early.
After almost three weeks of grueling practices, some days featuring multiple sessions, the Cajuns had their schedule jumbled on Thursday. The normal morning practice was canceled to allow a number of Louisiana newcomers to attend university orientation, leaving the 4:00 p.m. practice as the only session of the day.
With practices normally consisting of 30 five-minute periods – or two-and-a-half-hours—or longer, the Cajuns were surprised when third year head coach Mark Hudspeth blew the whistle to end the practice almost a half-hour early.
And since the only practice left on the preseason schedule is a Friday morning walk-through, the Ragin' Cajuns players celebrated the completion of camp as they walked off the field.
"Today was another good practice," Hudspeth said. "The schedule was a lot different so I think the guys had a little extra energy in the afternoon so they were ready to go.
"This has been a tough camp. We've really gotten after it. It has been like a tug of war between the offense and defense where the defense starts to take the lead before the offense comes back. It has been a battle between those two for the last three weeks. That is a good sign," Hudspeth added.
With visitng television stations on hand from both Little Rock and Baton Rouge, Hudspeth spoke at length about starting quarterback and Baton Rouge native Terrance Broadway.
"Terrance has quickly become a student of the game," Hudspeth said. "Most guys know how to run the play, but Terrance understands why you run it.
"He's learned a lot from watching film during the year. It has really helped him to start to master the position.
"He also has a great relationship with his teammates and especially the offensive line. He has great trust in them and it shows in how hard the guys play for him.
"Terrance is just a junior and he really has only been a starter for a little over half of a season. He has come a long way in a short time and there is a lot more that he can do," Hudspeth said.
After a mid-morning weight room session followed by a lunch break and position meetings, the Cajun players were again treated to a mid-afternoon snack. The office of Judge Thomas Duplantier of the 15th Judicial Court and the Office of Juvenile Justice were on hand to donate, prepare and serve a sausage po-boy as an afternoon snack.
The snack was a hit, featuring a roll from Langlinais Bakery and sausage from Richards Meat Market in Abbeville.
