University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
2014 Football Training Camp Central
8/21/2014 3:14:00 PM | Football
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AUGUST 21: Practice No. 21Â
The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team returned to practice after a deserved day off, working out in full gear for over two hours on Thursday in the Moncla Indoor Practice Facility.Louisiana, which began installing its game plan for its Aug. 30 opener against Southern, will return to work on Friday with a light workout at Cajun Field.
"We want to make sure we're clean with all of our substitutions," Louisiana head coach Mark Hudspeth said of Friday's dress rehearsal. "We want to work on our tempo and our communication from the (press) box, to the sideline and to the field. We want to make sure we have everything covered from pre-game stretching to halftime, to every situation that can happen in a game. It will be a very important day."
After focusing on fundamentals and competing against one another for over three weeks of camp, the Ragin' Cajuns were able to direct their attention to the weekly ritual of scouting reports and working on their respective game plan.
"Now we've broken into scout teams and you're working on another opponent," Hudspeth said. "That part is always new and fresh every week and now it gives you a little more incentive because game week is here. It puts a little more sense of urgency into everybody and knowing that you need to be ready to go."
With the Ragin' Cajuns looking to replace key veterans on offense (center Andre Huval) and defense (linebacker Justin Anderson) from a 9-4 team in 2013, another area that will have a pair of new starters will be in special teams where Jake Guidry (long snapper) and Stephen Morella (short snapper) will replace John Broussard, who successfully converted 122 snaps in 123 chances.
"They both have been very consistent and both have had good camps," Hudspeth said of the duo. "I think we're going to be in good shape there. Jake has been our starting holder and he is really good for us and I wanted to keep that continuity between our kicker and Jake."
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AUGUST 19: Practice No. 20
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But there was a catch. If Hamilton could fire up the entire team in a post-practice celebration, the Ragin' Cajuns would get a much deserved day off on Wednesday.
With afternoon rains forcing the team inside, the Ragin' Cajuns worked out in full gear for over two hours in preparation for its Aug. 30 season opener at Cajun Field against in-state opponent Southern. And after another solid workout – and Hamilton's lead – the Ragin' Cajuns received a day off after working nearly non-stop since reporting to camp on Aug. 1.
"Preparation has been going pretty good, I feel like we're ahead of where we probably need to be at this moment right now," Hudspeth said. "The kids have really worked hard and have done everything we've asked them to do … and probably a little bit more."
After two rugged weeks of practice, that including a pair of scrimmages, the Ragin' Cajuns accomplished their main goal of camp … coming out healthy. With a day off on Wednesday and the Ragin' Cajuns settling into a normal game-week schedule, the second goal of the team is to be as mentally and physically sharp as possible.
"We came out of camp healthy and that was our first goal," Hudspeth said. "Our second goal is to make sure that when we get to that opening kickoff that our bodies and our minds are as fresh and prepared as we can be."
Hudspeth noted several players – among them sophomore Kevin Fouquier and Dominick Jones, along with redshirt freshman Matthew Barnes and Darrius Hoggins – as players expected to see significant playing time after each having solid performances since the beginning of camp.
"There's always a few players that really step up that weren't here in the spring, or were here (in spring practice) and did not have quite the kind of spring they wanted," Hudspeth said. "Kevin (Fouquier) has really stepped up at linebacker and accelerated his play. He's going to be a really good player for us in the middle.
"In the secondary, Dominick Jones continues to improve and that is a big plus. On offense, Matt Barnes, who's playing our 'H' position has really had a phenomenal camp and is going to help us this year. Darrius Hoggins was a guy we weren't really going to be counting on this year at running back, but has had a great camp and will get into the return game."
Louisiana will return to practice on Thursday with an afternoon workout before holding a "Mock Scrimmage" on Friday morning at Cajun Field. The team will be off on Saturday before participating at Fan Day, which is scheduled from 5-7 p.m. on Sunday at the Cajundome.
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AUGUST 18: Practice No. 18 and 19
The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team began their final week of fall camp on Monday as they wrapped up two-a-day practice, holding a pair of workouts in the Moncla Indoor Facility.The Ragin' Cajuns, who will open the season on Aug. 30 against Southern, worked out for nearly two hours in full gear in the morning before a light workout in helmets in the evening. Louisiana will return to practice on Tuesday with a 4:15 p.m. workout before holding identical afternoon workouts the following two days.
"It was a really good day today," Louisiana head coach Mark Hudspeth said. "The kids bounced around in the morning and came back in the afternoon with a great attitude. They're working really hard and since that was our last two-a-day, we'll come back with an afternoon workout on Tuesday and continue to polish our installation."
With its season opener less than two weeks away and with many of the starting jobs locked down on the depth chart, Louisiana looks to fill several backup roles heading into the final week of camp.
"Everything is pretty settled there, it's just trying to solidify our second-teamers," Hudspeth said. "We've got some guys who are battling and we'll find out in the next couple of weeks."
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AUGUST 16: Practice No. 17 (Second Scrimmage)
Brooks Haack tossed a pair of touchdowns and freshman Jordan Davis added a touchdown throw as the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns held their second scrimmage of fall camp on Saturday at Cajun Field.Darrius Hoggins added a short touchdown run in the approximate 100-play scrimmage for the Ragin' Cajuns, who will open the 2014 season on Aug. 30 against Southern University.
"We came out of this scrimmage, again, healthy and I'm proud that all of our guys came out in great shape," Louisiana head coach Mark Hudspeth said. "We're healthy. We're still not where we need to be yet. I still want to see us play a little bit harder."
Haack, a sophomore, took the majority of the snaps for the Ragin' Cajuns as he connected with Elijah McGuire for a 42-yard scoring pass and Nick Byrne on a 6-yard TD throw. Davis, a true freshman, threw a 6-yard scoring pass to Jared Johnson while Hoggins capped off the scoring with a 1-yard plunge up the middle.
Hunter Stover booted field goals of 22 and 42 yards for the Ragin' Cajuns while Stephen Brauchle opened the scoring with a 33-yard field goal.
Montrel Carter recorded a team-high eight tackles for the Ragin' Cajuns defense with Jake Molbert, Boris Anyama and freshman Taylor Schartle adding five each.
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AUGUST 15: Practice No. 15 and 16
The workouts were the final ones before Louisiana holds its second scrimmage of fall camp on Saturday at Cajun Field.
"I thought it was a really good day today," Louisiana head coach Mark Hudspeth said. "This is sort of near the end of camp and the guys are getting leg weary, tired and sore. But they pushed through today and I expect us to come back on Saturday with a really good scrimmage before getting some time off and starting back on Monday."
With many battles still up for grabs with just over two weeks remaining until their Aug. 30 kickoff against Southern, the Ragin' Cajuns are gauging Saturday's final scrimmage to work on accumulating depth at key positions.
"We're going to be looking at our twos," Hudspeth said. "We want them to show that we can count on them when their name is called. It's a big evaluation to find out which players we can count on if we have to put them in any part of the game."
The Ragin' Cajuns will be off on Sunday before holding its final two-a-day session on Monday with workouts at 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.Â
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AUGUST 14: Practice No. 14
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The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team held a spirited workout in full gear for over two hours on Thursday in the Moncla Indoor Facility before head coach Mark Hudspeth and three assistants received an ice bucket "cool down" at the end of the session.
The Ragin' Cajuns worked on all phases heading into Saturday's final scrimmage of fall camp and their Aug. 30 season opener against Southern. While the Cajuns turned in an impressive workout near the end of their second week of camp, it was after the session where the team had the most fun.
After being challenged on Wednesday by ESPN1420's Scott Prather to the Ice Bucket Challenge for ALS, Hudspeth accepted the offer and was dunked with ice water by Ragin' Cajuns players Dominick Jones and Sherard Johnson.
Hudspeth immediately issued a challenge to offensive line coach/run game coordinator Mitch Rodrigue, which the fourth-year assistant accepted and was given an ice bath from linemen Mykhael Quave, Octravian Anderson and Terry Johnson.
Associate Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator Jay Johnson was the next assistant to accept the challenge, and with quarterbacks Terrance Broadway and Jalen Nixon handling the bucket, Johnson was doused before issuing a challenge to outside linebackers coach David Saunders.
Saunders, in his fourth year on the Ragin' Cajuns staff, received an ice bath from Darrien Batiste and Sherard Johnson before responding at the end, "That's all?"
The Ragin' Cajuns will work twice on Friday with an 8:30 a.m. workout in shells before returning at 4:30 p.m. in helmets.
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AUGUST 13: Practice No. 12 and 13
The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns hit the field for a pair of workouts on Wednesday, holding a morning practice in full gear before returning in the afternoon with a workout in helmets.
Louisiana, which opens the season on Aug. 30 against Southern, held a 30-play situational scrimmage in the morning workout before working on all situations in the evening. With camp
"We've had a great camp, especially in the first week and a couple of days," head coach Mark Hudspeth said. "The last two days, maybe the intensity has dropped off a little, so we tried to rev them back up and they responded. They're working hard, but they've got to push through those dog days of two-a-days. I think we're doing that. We've got some good leadership, we've got a lot of time left to work and we're ahead of schedule."
One of the remaining battles in the starting lineup will be at inside linebacker where returning letterwinners Trae Johnson, Kevin Fouquier and Chris Hill, along with transfer Trey Granier are competing for a pair of spots.
"All of those guys are fighting for playing time," Hudspeth said. "All are really talented, so we're going to have to make some decisions on the field. Other than that, most positions are pretty much filled and we feel like we have quality depth … more than we had last year, so we're making good progress."Hudspeth credited the daily competition at both wide receiver and the secondary. Led by returning letterwinners Jamal Robinson and James Butler, the Ragin' Cajuns return three of their top four receivers with the secondary, paced by Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference selection Trevence Patt, returns all four starters from a defensive unit that tied for the league lead with 14 interceptions.
"They're improving and making each other better every day," Hudspeth said. "They're making plays on both sides of the ball and that's we want to see them doing … competing."
Louisiana will return to action on Thursday with a single workout for resuming two-a-days on Friday. The Ragin' Cajuns will hold their second scrimmage of fall camp on Saturday at Cajun Field.
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AUGUST 12: Practice No. 11
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Louisiana continued offensive and defensive installation with Terry Johnson as the first-team center for the second straight day.
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"I think we may a little bit a head of schedule," head coach Mark Hudspeth said. "If you asked me yesterday I would have yes for sure, but today I am not as sure I was yesterday. We weren't quite as sharp today as we have been in the last couple practices. There will still a lot of positives, but we didn't quite have that spark in our step as we did the first week. Hopefully we can come back tomorrow and do a better job of getting the guys ready to go.
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"I like to see a lot of energy at practice. We had a few mistakes at practice today, so we need to eliminate those and move forward. We have to be able to execute in extreme situations whether it's the weather or crowd. You've got to be able to come to play every day if you want to win games."
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The Cajuns return to two-a-days tomorrow with a morning workout in full gear followed by an evening session in helmets. Louisiana will work out once on Thursday in full gear before holding another two-a-day on Friday. Â The squad will hold its second scrimmage of camp on Saturday.
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AUGUST 11: Practice No. 9 and 10
The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns worked out twice on Monday, holding a morning practice in shells before working out in helmets in the afternoon.The Ragin' Cajuns took advantage of the weather by working in the Moncla Indoor Facility, continuing their offensive and defensive installation along emphasis on special teams.
Head coach Mark Hudspeth announced after the morning workout that Terry Johnson, who started all 13 games last season at left guard, would move to center. The senior worked at center during spring practice for Louisiana before moving back to guard. The move to center opened the door for junior college transfer Donovan Williams to see time at left guard.
"It was imperative that we get our best five on the field, so we moved Terry Johnson to center, which he did all spring, and he's still been snapping over the summer," said Hudspeth. "We moved Donovan (Williams) to left guard and Grant Horst to right tackle, which is his natural position. I think this is going to work out really well. I like our guys and I like our depth right now."
After reviewing video from the Ragin' Cajuns first scrimmage last Saturday, Hudspeth had praise for his team's performance, but would have liked to have seen more emotion heading into the first live action of camp.
"I would have loved to seen us play a little more physical," Hudspeth said. "It was the end of a long week, we had practiced that morning and we didn't have that emotion that I would have liked to have seen us have. It wasn't bad, but I would have liked to have seen us a little more physical.
"We did some nice things at times. We executed on both sides of the ball and made plays, and sometimes we didn't and it looked like a first scrimmage. We're further ahead at this point than where we were last year."
The Ragin' Cajuns will practice once in full gear on Tuesday before returning to two-a-days on Wednesday with a morning workout in full gear followed by an evening session in helmets. Louisiana will work out once on Thursday and twice on Friday before holding its second scrimmage of camp on Saturday.
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AUGUST 9: Practice No. 7 and 8 (First Scrimmage)
Brooks Haack threw for one touchdown pass and Jerrell Richardson rushed for a TD as the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns capped off a pair of practices on Saturday with a 78-play situational scrimmage at Cajun Field.
The Cajuns, who will open the season at newly expanded Cajun Field on Aug. 30 against Southern, hit the field in the morning with a light special teams workout before their first live action of fall camp in the evening.
"It was exciting to get into the stadium tonight," head coach Mark Hudspeth said. "Anytime you can get your first scrimmage under the light, and get a break from the weather, it's always good. We were pretty pleased and came out healthy."
With many of the Ragin' Cajuns starters seeing limited playing time, it was the reserves that took center stage in the evening workout. Haack, one of six quarterbacks to see action, took the majority of snaps in place of starter Terrance Broadway and led the Cajuns to their first touchdown when he connected with C.J. Bates on a 6-yard scoring pass during red zone situations.
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"I like where we're at in camp. I love our kid's attitudes. They're having fun, they're working hard and they're pulling together pretty good right now."
Richardson, working against the No. 3 defense, capped off a two-play drive for the Ragin' Cajuns with a tough 10-yard run off right tackle.
Kickers Hunter Stover and Stephen Brauchle combined for seven field goals for the Ragin' Cajuns while Corey Trim, Mandell Sam and Cole Bourque each intercepted passes.
Louisiana will attend church services on Sunday before returning to practice with a pair of workouts on Monday.
GORDON FIRST TO LOSE HIS STRIPE
Hudspeth announced after the scrimmage that junior college transfer Eddie Gordon was the first of the Ragin' Cajuns newcomers to have his black stripe removed from his helmet.
Every Ragin' Cajuns player has a stripe on his helmet, with all true freshmen and newcomers wearing a black stripe down the middle in place of a white stripe that the veterans wear. The newcomers have to earn the right to get the black stripe taken off their helmet through a testimonial from their appointed "big brother."
The 6-foot-1, 320-pound Gordon, who played at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College after originally signing with North Carolina State out of high school, had his stripe taken off after the testimonial from senior offensive lineman Terry Johnson.
"He's a guy that has worked awfully hard since he's gotten here," Hudspeth said of Gordon. "He's worked hard and has been responsible. (He's) not just worked hard in practice, he's on time for all the team meetings, he does all the extra and does what it takes and he understands what it means to be a Ragin' Cajun."
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AUGUST 8: Practice No. 6
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The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns worked out in full pads for the first time on Friday, working out at a controlled practice tempo during a two-hour session that split time in the Leon Moncla Indoor Facility and adjacent practice fields."I thought we had a good day," fourth-year coach Mark Hudspeth said. "I thought the guys came out early and we were physical. We tried to be a little more physical that we have been, but I thought we faded a little bit. It got pretty humid and it took a toll on us late. But our guys pushed and they didn't stop pushing, but you could tell it took a little out of them."
The Ragin' Cajuns will work twice on Saturday beginning with a light workout in the morning before getting their first live action of fall camp with a closed scrimmage in the evening.
"I want to see us tackle," Hudspeth said of his expectations of Saturday's scrimmage. "We've worked on a lot of controlled tackling drills, but I want to see us tackle in a live setting. I want to see us block and use great fundamentals.
"I want to see us push through things and I want to work on special teams in a live setting and see if we're progressing there. It'll be a good measuring stick of where we are at this point."
After working out in helmets and shells during the first four days of camp, the Ragin' Cajuns were able to finally put on full gear and continue to work on getting into football shape while batting the Louisiana humidity.
"If you're a football player and you don't like the first day of full pads, something's wrong with you," Hudspeth said. "Our guys were excited and practice had a lot of energy, early. It faded a little bit, but the thing I was proud of was that the guys pushed, they didn't stop and we've just got to continue to get into football shape."With a veteran team that returns 61 letterwinners and 17 starters, Hudspeth noted several players who have stood out in the first week of practice. Included in the group were sophomore quarterback Brooks Haack, slated to be the backup behind Sun Belt Preseason Player of the Year and Davey O'Brien Watch List candidate Terrance Broadway, running back Alonzo Harris (a Doak Walker Watch List candidate), running back Elijah McGuire and receiver Jamal Robinson (a Biletnikoff Watch List candidate).
"Brooks (Haack) is throwing the ball well, it's good to see that," Hudspeth said. "(Running backs) Elijah (McGuire) and Alonzo (Harris), both of those guys are running strong and doing nice jobs. Jamal (Robinson) is having a great camp and our offensive line is coming together well.
"Defensively, we've got a lot of depth. Our defensive line is playing hard and we've got some guys in the secondary that are competing. At linebacker, we've got a lot of guys who are talented … hopefully we've just got to get two guys to step up and say 'this is my job.' We've got a lot of guys fighting for it and that's a good thing."
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AUGUST 7: Practice No. 5
The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns practiced in shells during the fourth day of fall camp as they worked out for over two hours on Thursday in the Leon Moncla Indoor Facility.
The Cajuns continued to work on installation of their offensive and defensive schemes in preparation for their Aug. 30 season-opener at Cajun Field against in-state opponent Southern.
"We're very pleased with where we are right now, but we have a long way to go," assistant head coach/tight ends coach Reed Stringer said. "We're excited about where we are and we're excited about coming out here every day to get better and we look forward to what we can accomplish in the next three-and-a-half weeks."
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"Offensively, we feel we're right on pace of where we want to be with our installation and the way our guys are playing and executing," Stringer said. "Watching the defense from the offensive side, I'm really excited about what I see over there. We've got some guys who understand what they're doing and have played a lot of snaps and there are some newcomers that are really going to help us."
One of the newcomers that caught the eye of the coaching staff was redshirt freshman Tracy Walker, who will battle for playing time at safety behind senior Sean Thomas. Veterans who have stood out for the Ragin' Cajuns have been the defensive line tandem of Justin Hamilton and Christian Ringo, a pair of seniors who were each named to the preseason All-Sun Belt Conference team.
"He's gotten a lot, bigger, stronger and faster over the last year," Stringer said of Walker. "You've got guys like Justin Hamilton and Christian Ringo leading by example on the defensive line. They're chasing the ball, making plays and they're hard to block."
With the loss of Jacob Maxwell and Ian Thompson to graduation, the Ragin' Cajuns are looking to find replacements at tight end. Larry Pettis, Matthew Barnes, Nick Byrne and Evan Tatford are the top prospects to earn playing time for the Ragin' Cajuns in 2014.
"I'm liking the way they're progressing," Stringer said. "We don't have a lot of game experience there, but we have some guys that have played in games, but have not gotten a ton of snaps. For the most part, I'm pleased with the guys and how they're playing."
The Ragin' Cajuns will work out in full gear Friday morning before holding a pair of practices on Saturday, including a closed scrimmage, to wrap up the first week.
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AUGUST 6: Practice No. 4
The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team donned shoulder pads for the first time in fall practice as the team worked for over two hours on Wednesday in the Moncla Indoor Practice facility.
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After a pair of practices in helmets out of the way, the Ragin' Cajuns were able to work out for the first time with light contact. Louisiana will return to practice in shells on Thursday before holding its first practice in full pads beginning Friday.
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With 61 letterwinners and 17 starters returning from a 2013 team that finished 9-4 overall, captured the Sun Belt Conference title and claimed its third straight win in the New Orleans Bowl, fourth-year head coach Mark Hudspeth will field his deepest team when the Ragin' Cajuns open the season on Aug. 30 against Southern. And after the first day in shells, Hudspeth praised his team's mentality and physical approach.
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"We've got a lot of depth, but you can lose it pretty quick by being careless and not playing smart," Hudspeth said. "I thought, for the most part, the guys did a nice job staying up and still trying to play physical. We don't want to risk anything this early in camp."Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
As temperatures crept into the upper 80's with high humidity, the Ragin' Cajuns held their first workout in the adjacent practice facility – a rarity under ideal conditions. But the Ragin' Cajuns were able to get in their work needed while getting into football shape.
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"We went inside today to get out of the sun," Hudspeth said. "We're still able to get good conditioning, but we want to practice a little smarter and get quality work in. You have to get used to the heat … that's fall camp. You have to get in great physical condition. You can run all summer long, but when you put that hat on, and those pads, it's football condition. That's different."
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With Dominique Tovell , named last month to the Lombardi Watch list, locked up at one of the Ragin' Cajuns four linebacker slots, senior Jake Molbert  is looking to return to a starting role after starting 15 games in his first two seasons.
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Molbert, a Rayne native, started eight games as a freshman in 2011 and seven of 10 games he played in the following season before missing the final two games with an injury. After playing in all 13 games in 2013 in a reserve role, Molbert was penciled in as a starter during spring practice and has remained in that slot through the first week of fall camp.
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"It's night and day," Hudspeth said of the senior. "He's worked hard and continues to get better. He's smart out there and is really going to help us this year. I'm a Jake Molbert  fan. He's tough and he embodies what a Ragin' Cajuns player is. He works hard in the weight room and does the right things on and off the field."
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AUGUST 5: Practice No. 3
Head coach  Mark Hudspeth took his entire team out on the practice field for the first time in fall drills as the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns practiced for over two hours on Tuesday on the Ragin' Cajuns practice fields.After going through a split-squad workout to open camp on Monday, the Ragin' Cajuns continued to work in shorts and helmets before putting on shoulder pads for the first time beginning Wednesday. The Ragin' Cajuns will return with shoulder pads on Thursday before putting on full pads for the first time Friday. The team will cap off its first week of camp on Saturday with a light kicking session in the morning before scrimmaging for the first time in a 6 p.m. workout.With a veteran team that has won 27 overall games and is one of six schools nationally to win a bowl game in the past three season, the Ragin' Cajuns approach to camp has been business as usual in terms of installation.
Louisiana will work out in full gear for the first time on Friday, and will hold its first scrimmage of fall camp with a 90-play workout in Cajun Field. Many of the veterans are expected to see action, with the bulk of the work coming from players looking to move up the depth chart.
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With Terrance Broadway , a Davey O'Brien Watch List candidate, entrenched as the Ragin' Cajuns starting quarterback, Brooks Haack  has firmly etched his name as Broadway's backup after serving in a similar role season.
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Haack, a redshirt sophomore, played in five games for the Ragin' Cajuns last season and started in the team's regular-season finale at South Alabama in place of an injured Broadway. With the experience gained through last season and a strong spring practice, Haack will continue to improve and provide the Ragin' Cajuns with a solid option behind Broadway.
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AUGUST 4: Practice No. 1 and 2 (MEDIA DAY)
The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team opened the fourth season of the Mark Hudspeth era on Monday with a pair of workouts in Cajun Field that was sandwiched around its annual Media Day luncheon.Â
The Ragin' Cajuns veteran players worked out in shorts and helmets for approximately 90 minutes in the morning session before the team's freshmen and other squad members worked out in the evening. Louisiana will practice as a full team for the first time on Tuesday in shorts and helmets before adding shoulder pads on Wednesday and Thursday. The Ragin' Cajuns will don full pads for the first time beginning on Friday.
With the defending Sun Belt Conference champions' season-opener against Southern set for Aug. 30 at Cajun Field, the enthusiasm level for a first-day workout was among the best in Hudspeth's tenure.
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One of the top battles coming out of spring practice was replacing All-Sun Belt Conference performer Andre Huvalat center. With the three-year starter and two-time all-conference performer gone to graduation, redshirt freshmanGrant Horst and junior college transfer Eddie Gordon look to replace Huval as the anchor on the offensive line.
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AUGUST 3: Players Report
Fourth-year head coach Mark Hudspeth welcomed 105 players, including 61 returning letterwinners, on Sunday as the defending Sun Belt Conference champion Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team reported for fall camp.
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The Ragin' Cajuns, which will open the season at Cajun Field on Aug. 30 against Southern, received equipment and held a team meeting with support staff before prepping for their first workout on Monday. Louisiana, the unanimous pick to capture the Sun Belt Conference title, returns 17 starters from a team that posted its third consecutive nine-win season.
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Hudspeth, who is 27-12 with a conference championship and three bowl victories since his arrival in 2011, was pleased with his team's make up and eagerness to get to work after summer workouts.
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Seven starters return on both offense and defense with several players earning spots on preseason watch lists. Baton Rouge native Terrance Broadway , a Davey O'Brien Watch List member, enters his third season as the Cajuns' starting quarterback and looks to build off a season in which he threw for 2,419 yards and 19 touchdowns – the fourth-best single-season total in school history.
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Alonzo Harris , a Doak Walker Watch List candidate, and Elijah McGuire provide the Ragin' Cajuns with one of the most prolific running back tandems in the country after each earned first-team All-Sun Belt honors in 2013 and combined for nearly 1,800 yards and 22 touchdowns. Senior receiver Jamal Robinson , named to the Biletnikoff Watch List, caught a career-high 54 passes in 2013 and teamed with Broadway to become one of the top quarterback/receiving duos in school history with 10 TDs.
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A veteran offensive line that returns four starters – highlighted by Lombardi Award Watch List members Daniel and Mykhael Quave – will lead the way along with returning starters Terry Johnson and Octravian Anderson .
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Defensively, the Ragin' Cajuns return seven starters including preseason first-team selections Justin Hamilton (defensive line), Dominique Tovell (linebacker) and Breaux Bridge native Trevence Patt . Also returning to the defensive side as starters are senior Christian Ringo , a preseason second-team All-SBC pick, defensive backs Sean Thomas , Corey Trim and T.J. Worthy .
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The Ragin' Cajuns will hit the field for the first time on Monday with a split-team workout beginning at 8:55 a.m. The morning session will consist of players on the first- and second-string, with players on the third- and fourth-string scheduled to work out in the afternoon at 3:40 p.m.
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Louisiana will also hold its annual Football Media Day beginning at noon at the UL Alumni Center. Hudspeth, associate head coach/offensive coordinator Jay Johnson , defensive coordinator James Willis will address the media with selected players available.
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