From the other side: Louisiana-Lafayette

I caught up with The Daily Advertiser’s Louisiana-Lafayette beat writer Josh Parrott this week and shot him a few questions with regard to this weekend’s Western Kentucky-Louisiana-Lafayette game.

Big thanks to Josh for all the help.

1. After losing offensive leaders Michael Desormeaux and Tyrell Fenroy to graduation, how has this team responded on offense thus far?

It’s been a struggle so far on offense. Sophomore Chris Masson started the first five games and rotated with sophomore Brad McGuire in the fourth quarter last week. That was by design. Masson is a much better thrower than Desormeaux but is still learning how to make the right decisions on the zone read. McGuire, meanwhile, was the primary back-up last year – and led the team to a fourth-quarter comeback against Arkansas State in 2008 – who is a physical runner. Coach Rickey Bustle said he wants to rotate Masson and McGuire for now. Masson will get most of the snaps, with McGuire providing a change of pace. Fenroy was a stud, but senior Undrea Sails has been a nice surprise. He was expected to be steady but has shown he can be a playmaker as a runner and receiver. His skills as a blocker are a big boost to an offense that has the nation’s second-most experience line. Tight ends Luke Aubrey and Ladarius Green are the top receiving threats for a pass offense that has dropped at least 15 passes over the past three games.

2. ULL has to be pretty happy right now with a 3-2 mark through five games. After losing so much skill from last season, how is the team feeling overall about itself right now? 

The players and coaches were happy to go 2-2 in the “preseason.” Beating Southern was expected. Most people thought Kansas State, LSU and Nebraska would be losses. While there’s no doubt that K-State is down from its glory days, the Cajuns overcame some late adversity to win that game. They lost to LSU by 28 points, but the Tigers had to fight for every yard and point until the end. It was one of those closer-than-it-seemed games, although the team did not want to take a moral victory from that performance. Nebraska played incredible in a 55-0 win, while the Cajuns played about as poor as possible and had as many as 14 players hurt going into their bye week. They got healthy during that time off and somehow found a way to win last week. Now they’re getting healthy as the perfect time.

3. ULL blew a significant lead and then had to make a strong late push last week to knock out North Texas at home. What was the problem early, and what ended up solving things late for the Cajuns in that game? 

The offense had problems again. A 70-yard interception return for a touchdown ended a streak of 10 consecutive quarters without finding the end zone. The Cajuns also returned a blocked punt for a touchdown and a field goal after another interception gave them great field position. With a 24-10 lead, they should have been fine, but their defense allowed 24 consecutive points. Too many big plays by North Texas. Down 34-24 with 16 minutes left, Masson and McGuire rotated on the next three series. The Cajuns scored the game’s final 14 points with that combo to pull ahead and survive.

4. What are the team’s biggest concerns heading into this week’s game? 

The Cajuns have been slow starters all season. They’ve trailed in the first quarter of every game. This team has to start strong, especially on the road. Western Kentucky hasn’t found much success this season. The longer it can stay in the game, the more confidence will build. The Cajuns still have a lot of question marks. Can the offense produce start to finish? Can the defense contain the big play? And can the Cajuns win on the road? They are favored to win, but there’s no guarantees regardless of the opponent.

5. What’s your prediction for Saturday?

Despite their struggles, the Cajuns should win this game. I’m looking in the range of 30-14. Not a blowout, but at least a difference of a few touchdowns. The Cajun defense will force some turnovers. This should be the weakest defense they have faced since the season opener against Southern, so they should score some points. The game could end up different with a few turnovers by the Cajuns – which has happened in the past – but I don’t see that happening.