Quick Hitter: Louisiana-Lafayette
Louisiana-Lafayette (5-3) at #6 Florida (8-1)
Where: The Swamp, Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
Kickoff: Saturday, November 10, 2012, 12:21 PM
TV: The SEC Network (Mike Morgan, Chris Doering)
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is the largest of the nine University of Louisiana system schools. It is a public co-educational research university located in Lafayette, Louisiana. It is considered somewhat of a prestigious research institution and boasts that it offers Louisiana’s only doctoral program in francophone studies, who knew?
Dec. 17, 2011; New Orleans, LA, USA; Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns head coach Mark Hudspeth talks to an official during the New Orleans Bowl against the San Diego State Aztecs at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Louisiana-Lafayette defeated the San Diego State Aztecs, 32-30. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-US PRESSWIRE
Known as The Ragin Cajuns, the football team is coached by Mark Hudspeth in his second season at the school. Hudspeth was the passing game coordinator for two seasons for former Florida offensive coordinator Dan Mullen at Mississippi State before taking the reins of the Ragin Cajuns. Prior to that he was the head coach for seven seasons at FCS school North Alabama. At UNA he led them to the Division II playoffs 5 times with 3 semifinals berths, and a pair of Gulf South Conference championships. He’s definitely a head coaching talent on the rise. He has been a winner everywhere he’s been and is known as a brilliant offensive mind. Probably won’t be at UL-L for very long.
Key Players
Terrence Broadway, 6’2″ 205, Quarterback
Coming off a career high 460 total yard effort against UL-Monroe last weekend, sophomore Broadway looks to step up in class this week against Florida. Broadway is another talented dual threat qb similar to what the Gators have faced several times this season. Last week he threw for 387 yards with four passing td’s and added 87 yards rushing and one score on the ground. On the season, he’s completed 65.5 percent of his passes for 1624 yards and 12 touchdowns. He’s also added 379 yards rushing.
Jamal Robinson, 6’4″ 205, wide receiver
He’s coming off a 3 catch game for 153 yards and 2 touchdowns. On the season he’s caught only 14 passes but for 423 yards a whopping 30 yards per catch average.
Brett Baer, 5-11 182, Place Kicker/Punter
Yes, I mention him here because he is the UL-L equivalent of Sturgis/Christy as he not only handles both placekicking and punting duties but is nationally ranked in both and, along with Sturgis, was named a Lou Groza Award semi-finalist. He is 38-43 in his career (.884) and with two more attempts (minimum 45) he will have an opportunity to set the career NCAA field goal accuracy record which is currently held by former Florida Gator Bobby Raymond (.878 on 43-49 in 1983-84). As the punter he is ranked 26th in the NCAA with a 42.8 average and only ten of his punts have been returned for a total of 34 yards. Even more amazing is 17 of his 35 punts have been downed inside the 20 with only ONE touchback.
Alonzo Harris, 6’1″ 220, Running Back
A pre-season All-Sunbelt pick he’s currently ninth in the conference with 478 yards on 98 attempts. In 19 games he has 261 carries for 1175 yards.
The offensive line is LARGE averaging 6’4″ 308 yards and experienced with four returning starters who played 95 percent of the offensive snaps last season.
INJURY REPORT
Mack Brown (ankle) is questionable
Andre Debose (knee), Jon Halapio (ankle), Xavier Nixon (knee), James Wilson (knee), Larentee McCray (ankle), Matt Elam (groin), and Caleb Sturgis (ankle) are all probable.