2008 Louisiana Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns Football Preview

Louisiana Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns - Sun Belt

UL-Lafayette 2007 Record: (3-9, 3-4)

2007 Bowl: none

ULL Head Coach: Rickey Bustle (26-44 at Louisiana Lafayette, 26-44 overall)

Offensive Coordinator: Ron Hudson

Defensive Coordinator: Kevin Fouquier

Returning Leaders for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette:

• Rushing: Michael Desormeaux, QB, 1,141 yards
• Passing: Michael Desormeaux, QB, 1,405 yards
• Receiving: Derrick Smith, WR, 583 yards
• Tackles: Antwyne Zanders, LB, 93
• Sacks: LaQuincy Williams, DE, 2.0
• Interceptions: Gerren Blount, S, 3

Other Key Returnees: CB Orkeys Auriene, LB Brent Burkhalter, G Ian Burks, G Brad Bustle, WR Jason Cherry, OT Jonathan Decoster, K Drew Edmiston, RB Tyrell Fenroy, LB Grant Fleming, C Chris Fisher, TE Erik Jones

Key Losses: TE Kevin Belton, DE Rodney Hardeway, DE Greg Hathorn, CB Jarrett Jones, FB Abdule Levier, S Lamar Morgan, OT Jesse Newman, DT Korey Raymond

Louisiana Lafayette should have been better than 3-9 last year. And this season they will have to prove that they are better than their record indicated. If not, Coach Rickey Bustle will have some questions to answer. The offense should flourish, but the defense gave up nearly 36 points per game during the 2007 campaign.

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ULL's 2008 Strengths:

What the Ragin’ Cajuns do best is run the ball. Back Tyrell Fenroy eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark as a junior and should do so again for his senior campaign. Fenroy on his own would make any running attack good, but add in quarterback Michael Desormeaux and Louisiana Lafayette has one of the best in the nation. Desormeaux actually tallied more yards on the ground than Fenroy and ended the season with 1,141 yards and seven rushing touchdowns. Desormeaux is not much of a passer, but at least he has some quality targets returning in Jason Cherry and Derrick Smith. With four linemen back, the offense should be even better this year…and it could be great if the unit becomes more efficient, finishes drives and keeps the turnovers down.

ULL's 2008 Weaknesses:

The rushing defense is as bad as the rushing offense is good. They allowed over 228 yards per contest and now three starters from the line are gone, including end Rodney Hareway who tallied seven sacks his senior season. Having seniors Brenton Burkhalter and Antwyne Zanders back to the linebacker corps should help the run defense. The linebackers also have sophomores like returning starter Grant Fleming and roleplayers Fred Davis and Daylon McCoy who were forced into action as freshmen. That year of experience will go a long way in helping the run defense improve at least a little bit.

The Bottom Line for the Ragin' Cajuns:

But if the front four does not get pressure on the quarterback, the sore spot could be in the secondary. However, with the speed on the defense, getting pressure on the quarterback should not be a huge problem. That will help sophomore Orkeys Auriene and senior Justin Branden adjust to life as full time starters on the corners.

2007 Team Stats for ULL:

Rushing Offense: 251.58 (7th in nation, 1st in conference)

Passing Offense: 155.50 (115, 7)

Total Offense: 407.08 (49, 4)

Scoring Offense: 23.75 (88, 6)

Rushing Defense: 228.42 (113, 7)

Pass Defense: 218.25 (43, 4)

Total Defense: 446.67 (104, 6)

Scoring Defense: 35.83 (106, 6)

Turnover Margin: -.42 (88, 6)

Sacks: 1.50 (96, 5)

Sacks Allowed: 1.33 (19, 2)

By Joel Welser
CollegeSports-fans.com Guest Writer

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