Loss at ULL sticks with Tribe

[IE]

? Arkansas State?s Indians still feel like they owe Louisiana-Lafayette and themselves something.
It?s been nearly a year since UL Lafayette handed Ark-ansas State a 27-24 defeat that assured ASU of a losing season and appropriately eliminated the Indians from Sun Belt Conference contention.
While the Ragin? Cajuns might remember it a little differently, the Indians look back and recall a game they could have and should have won ? but didn?t.
?We felt like we were the better team but they beat us,? ASU quarterback Nick Noce said. ?The guys that were there, that played against them last year in that game, know what it felt like. We felt like we should have won.?
Indicative of its whole season last fall, ASU started its game at Louisiana-Lafayette quickly but self-destructed. After moving down the field into the ULL red zone, the Indians received back-to-back false start penalties, then had a field-goal attempt blocked and returned for a touchdown.
Instead of leading, ASU trailed.
?We took the opening drive and after a couple of penalties had a field goal blocked which they returned for a touchdown,? ASU coach Steve Roberts recalled. ?It really turned the complexion of the first half.?
Louisiana-Lafayette bulldozed its way to a 24-0 lead before Arkansas State finally recovered. The Indians managed to fight their way back, but had a critical fourth-down pass ruled incomplete in the end zone.
Arkansas State tight end Manuel Burton, who had an apparent touchdown catch wiped away on the play, said the Indians simply made too many mental mistakes at UL Lafayette last season.
?Last year?s game was just a combination of us not being real focused as a team,? Burton said. ?We had penalties, the offense wasn?t really executing, and we didn?t really come out with the intensity and the focus that we needed.?
Noce took the loss especially hard, refusing interview requests following the defeat.
?I really put a lot of pressure on myself that game,? Noce said. ?I really felt like there was a lot more I could have done to help our team win. I felt like I put our team in bad situations just from the way I played. I was really upset after that game. I felt like I let a lot of my teammates down, especially the seniors.?
Arkansas State will have a chance to redeem itself Thursday night when the Ragin? Cajuns visit.
Again ASU is in a similar position as it was last year. The Indians (2-3 overall, 1-1 Sun Belt) already have one loss in league play and can?t afford another if they want to stay in the hunt for the SBC title.
And, ASU is also having similar problems with penalties. The Indians are one of the most penalized teams in the country with 56 in five games.
Since committing 13 penalties in a 28-21 loss to Louisiana-Monroe, ASU has taken steps to keep from repeating the mistakes. When the Indians commit a penalty during practice, they run conditioning drills and then repeat the play until it?s executed correctly.
?Everybody understands that the penalties are really killing us,? Burton said. ?They?re getting it across to us. I think you?ll see this weekend that we?ll have less penalties than we?ve had all year.?
The Indians are hoping that by correcting their mental mistakes, the results will be much different than the final score against ULL a year ago.
Noce said last year?s defeat to ULL serves as motivation.
?I took that loss pretty tough, but it was a great learning experience for me,? Noce added. ?I look back on it now and realize that you?ve got to mature from it and move on.?

 

[IE]

Indians seek revenge against UL




JONESBORO, Ark. - Arkansas State's Indians still feel like they owe Louisiana something.

It's been nearly a year since UL handed Arkansas State a 27-24 defeat that assured ASU of a losing season and appropriately eliminated the Indians from Sun Belt Conference contention.

While the Ragin' Cajuns might remember it a little differently, the Indians look back and recall a game they could have and should have won -but didn't.

"We felt like we were the better team but they beat us," ASU quarterback Nick Noce said. "The guys that were there, that played against them last year in that game, know what it felt like. We felt like we should have won."

Indicative of its whole season last fall, ASU started its game at Louisiana quickly but self-destructed. After moving down the field into the UL red zone, the Indians received back-to-back false start penalties, then had a field-goal attempt blocked and returned for a touchdown.

Instead of leading, ASU trailed.

"We took the opening drive and after a couple of penalties had a field goal blocked which they returned for a touchdown," ASU coach Steve Roberts recalled. "It really turned the complexion of the first half."

Louisiana bulldozed its way to a 24-0 lead before Arkansas State finally recovered. The Indians managed to fight their way back, but had a critical fourth-down pass ruled incomplete in the end zone.

Arkansas State tight end Manuel Burton, who had an apparent touchdown catch wiped away on the play, said the Indians simply made too many mental mistakes at UL last season.

"Last year's game was just a combination of us not being real focused as a team," Burton said. "We had penalties, the offense wasn't really executing, and we didn't really come out with the intensity and the focus that we needed."

Noce took the loss especially hard, refusing interview requests following the defeat.

"I really put a lot of pressure on myself that game," Noce said. "I really felt like there was a lot more I could have done to help our team win. I felt like I put our team in bad situations just from the way I played. I was really upset after that game. I felt like I let a lot of my teammates down, especially the seniors."

Arkansas State will have a chance to redeem itself Thursday when the Cajuns visit.

Again ASU is in a similar position as it was last year. The Indians (2-3 overall, 1-1 Sun Belt) already have one loss in league play and can't afford another if they want to stay in the hunt for the SBC title.

And, ASU also is having similar problems with penalties. The Indians are one of the most penalized teams in the country with 56 in five games.

Since committing 13 penalties in a 28-21 loss to UL Monroe, ASU has taken steps to keep from repeating the mistakes. When the Indians commit a penalty during practice, they run conditioning drills and then repeat the play until it's executed correctly.

"Everybody understands that the penalties are really killing us," Burton said. "They're getting it across to us. I think you'll see this weekend that we'll have less penalties than we've had all year."

The Indians are hoping that by correcting their mental mistakes, the results will be much different than the final score against UL a year ago.

Noce said last year's defeat to UL serves as motivation.

"I took that loss pretty tough, but it was a great learning experience for me," Noce added. "I look back on it now and realize that you've got to mature from it and move on."

 

[IE]

Running game Indians' calling card



The Arkansas State Indians are going to run the ball.

They know it, opponents know it, and yet the Indians still grind out 215 yards per game on the ground to rank 18th in the nation among Division 1-A programs this week.

Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns give up 220 yards per game overland, although the 418 yards piled up by No. 2 Texas in the season opener skews that number a bit.

Without the Longhorns' assault, the number drops to a more bearable 170.75 per game.

When the Cajuns meet the Indians at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday in Jonesboro, they know what they'll get.

"They've made a commitment to the running game," UL coach Rickey Bustle said. "Their quarterback and their offensive line are committed to that. You don't change your offense. Plus, they do a nice job of dumping off to their backs in the passing game."

Leading ASU rusher Antonio Warren is seventh in the nation at 131 yards per game, in addition to 24th in all-purpose yardage at 140.50, while Shermar Bracey is 50th in rushing with 82 yards per game.

Cajun notebook

NO MARGIN FOR ERROR: Both Louisiana and Arkansas State have one defeat in Sun Belt Conference play - ASU 31-27 to UL Monroe and the Cajuns 28-10 to Florida Atlantic - and neither can afford another misstep in the league race.

"I don't like to use the term 'must win,' but this is a must win if we're going to compete for the conference," Bustle said.

"The rest of our games, because we have one loss, are hugely important," ASU coach Steve Roberts said. "It's a home conference game so that makes it almost a must win situation."

BLOCK PARTY: The Cajuns have blocked 20 kicks since Rickey Bustle took over the program prior to the 2002 season. No. 20 came last week against Florida Atlantic when Michael Adams snuffed an Owls' field goal attempt.

Thursday's game at Arkansas State will feature two accomplished special teams units, with ASU boasting the No. 10 punt returner in the nation in James Johnson (16.08 per return).

 

[LonghornMM]

IE2002, who do you like ATS in this game?

 

[IE]

ASU-UL Lafayette notes

By Kevin Turbeville
Sun staff writer
JONESBORO ? Arkansas State has paid close attention to punt and field goal protection this week.
Louisiana-Lafayette has made a habit of blocking kicks under fourth-year head coach Rickey Bustle, a former Virginia Tech assistant. The Ragin? Cajuns have already blocked four kicks this season and have 20 in Bustle?s 38 games as head coach.
?They get after you on the special teams,? ASU head coach Steve Roberts said. ?Obviously that was a turning point in our ballgame last year, so it?s something we?ve taken a very close look at this year as well.?
ASU was in position to take the early lead last year in Lafayette when the Cajuns? Michael Adams broke through to block Eric Neihouse?s 31-yard field goal attempt. Terryl Fenton returned the block 80 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 UL Lafayette lead.
The Indians would do well to keep tabs on Adams, a junior cornerback who has blocked five kicks in his career. He has blocked two kicks this season, a field goal against Florida Atlantic and an extra point against Texas.
Adams also blocked a field goal against South Carolina in 2003, leading to a Cajun touchdown, and blocked another field goal that year against Florida International.
Safety Derik Keyes blocked a punt against Central Florida this year and defensive tackle Marshall Delesdernier blocked an extra point at Texas.
?They don?t really do anything that is different than what we?ve seen all year,? Roberts said. ?They put an emphasis on it and they come after you, which a lot of people will put their emphasis on the return game.
?We?ve blocked our share of kicks, too. We hope maybe we can get one on them, but we?re more in line on the return game than we are on going after the blocks just because we feel we have better opportunities there to make positive plays for our football team. We?re aware of No. 2 (Adams), though, I can promise you that.?

Hurricane aftermath

On several of the weekly Sun Belt coaches teleconferences, Bustle has been asked about how his team has responded to the chaos caused by Hurricane Katrina and then Hurricane Rita.
?Obviously, when you?ve got so many Louisiana players on your team, this hurricane stuff affects them all. Particularly the first week, when Katrina came through, we were over there playing Texas and still had a number of family members who hadn?t been in touch with the kids,? Bustle said on the Oct. 3 conference call. ?They hadn?t been able to get in touch with them and where it affects you is your preparation. The game probably gave you a brief break from the thought process.
?Then to turn around a couple of weeks later and have it happen again, the players have really tried and like I said, they?ve grown closer together, but it?s been tough on them. I mean, when you?re talking about a football game and family, people and homes and losing everything, there?s nothing in the coaching book that tells you what to do here.?
ASU center Tanner Jenkins, whose hometown is Baton Rouge, La., said he can relate to what the Cajuns have gone through a little bit.
?I haven?t been back at all to see anything from the hurricanes down there because I?ve been up here with football,? Jenkins said. ?I?ve heard about how Lafayette and Baton Rouge have a lot more people because of the hurricane displacement out of New Orleans.?

Quick hits

Jenkins and Brenton Burkhalter, UL Lafayette?s backup middle linebacker, were teammates at Parkview Baptist in Baton Rouge. ... Ragin? Cajun receiver Bill Sampy has caught at least one pass in 34 consecutive games. ... ASU quarterback Nick Noce ranks sixth on the school?s all-time passing chart with 3,183 yards. ... The Indians are 11-5 at Indian Stadium under Roberts.

 

[IE]

Warren hopes to play


JONESBORO ? If it?s up to him, Antonio Warren will do more than just stand on the sideline tonight.
Warren, Arkansas State?s leading rusher this season, suffered a high ankle sprain two weeks ago against Florida International and hasn?t played since. Though still wearing an ankle brace for support, Warren said he?s feeling better and anxious to return following the Indians? walk-through for tonight?s game against Louisiana-Lafayette.
Kickoff is 6:30 p.m. at Indian Stadium.
?I really hope I get to play,? Warren said. ?But you just don?t know. I?m praying that I get to play, but if not, then I?m sure it?s for the best. Whether it was me or any person, they would love to play.?
Warren practiced with his teammates this week for the first time since the injuries, although his participation was limited. Leading up to ASU?s game at Louisiana-Monroe, Warren didn?t take part in any team drills.
This week, Warren has taken a few snaps each afternoon as the Indians (2-3 overall, 1-1 Sun Belt Conference) prepare for the Ragin? Cajuns (1-4, 0-1). Most of Warren?s work has been limited to straight-ahead running to keep him from putting too much pressure on the ankle and possibly re-injuring it.
Warren indicated most of the pain associated with the injury has subsided during the past two weeks.
?It?s feeling good. I can say that every day it?s getting better,? Warren said. ?The difference between now and then is a lot. It hurt real bad then, but it?s feeling really good now.?
Much like he has been throughout Warren?s ordeal, Roberts didn?t share much information on whether his star tailback would go against UL Lafayette.
?I don?t know about Antonio?s participation this Thursday,? Roberts said during his press conference Monday. ?I wish I could tell you guys something because I would feel a whole lot better if I knew. He is out doing some drills but has not participated in practice to this point. I can?t tell you whether he will be ready or not.?
Warren opened the season with four straight 100-yard games and has 524 for the season. In his absence last week, senior Shermar Bracey carried 23 times for 91 yards while sophomore Chris Easley added 63 yards on nine attempts.
The Indians will turn to Bracey and Easley again to share the running responsibilities if Warren doesn?t get his wish.
?We?ve got a couple of very capable guys,? Roberts said. ?Obviously, the more experience they get, the better they are going to be. We?d love to have Antonio back, but that?s part of this business.?
Warren was the last Indian to leave the field following Wednesday?s practice, spending some extra time working out as running backs coach David Gunn watched.
Last year Warren rushed for 124 yards on 14 carries against ULL, including an 80-yard touchdown carry. The Ragin? Cajuns have struggled stopping teams on the ground this season, allowing 220.2 yards a game to rank No. 111 in the nation in rushing defense.
Although he didn?t offer a gauge, Warren did admit his injury isn?t fully healed.
?I don?t want to do anything stupid and re-injure it,? Warren added. ?I try to take care of it, try to be smart about it. Whenever it tells me to stop, I let off of it. I?m just trying to get it stronger and get it better.?

 

[IE]

Analysis: Tribe not likely to let this one slip away

BY MATTHEW V. ROBERSON
SUN STAFF WRITER
JONESBORO ? Arkansas State should find out what kind of character its team possesses tonight.
The Indians have had more than a week to dwell on a difficult 31-27 loss at Louisiana-Monroe. ASU gave up a 68-yard drive and game-winning touchdown in the final minute to ULM, leaving the Indians distraught but maybe not totally defeated.
Unlike previous defeats in seasons past, the loss at UL-Monroe was particularly harder to swallow. Sure, it was a game the Indians could have won, but there have been many losses that ended that way.
What was different was how the Indians reacted. Hardly a word was spoken on the trip back to Jonesboro that night as the loss soaked in for ASU.
Such can?t be said about some of the Indians? predecessors. Apparently, losing had been something football teams at ASU had gotten used to and simply accepted. That attitude appears to be changing.
With a Sun Belt Conference title still to be decided, this team knows how critical last week?s defeat was. And, the Indians know how critical this week and every week is the rest of the season.
Louisiana-Lafayette visits Jonesboro for the first time since 2001. In fact, the Ragin? Cajuns are the first Sun Belt Conference team from the state of Louisiana to play a game in Jonesboro since ASU coach Steve Roberts arrived.
While UL Lafayette?s last visit to Indian Stadium was a 26-20 victory by Arkansas State, the series has been primarily owned by the Cajuns of late. ULL has won eight of the last 10 meetings.
But Louisiana-Lafayette enters tonight?s game with its own share of troubles. The Cajuns are just 1-4 with their only victory a 49-28 thumping of Division I-AA Northwestern State.
Last week UL Lafayette opened Sun Belt Conference play with a 28-10 loss to Florida Atlantic, barely mustering any offense past the first quarter. ULL had 109 yards offense and led 10-7 at the end of the first period, but managed just 108 yards offense and didn?t score the rest of the game.
The problem with the Cajuns appears to be at quarterback, where redshirt freshman Michael Desormeaux has been forced into action. ULL?s normal starter, junior Jerry Babb, injured a shoulder against Central Florida two weeks ago and hasn?t played since.
It?s been said Babb isn?t able to lift his throwing arm above his head, so it?s unlikely he will make a surprise return tonight.
Desormeaux had a fair debut against UCF, throwing for 119 yards and rushing for 76. But against FAU he was just 6-of-18 passing for 47 yards. In both games, Desormeaux was plagued by a pair of interceptions. He has thrown five total for the year.
If there is one major difference between Arkansas State and UL Lafayette, it?s in the running game.
ASU leads the Sun Belt Conference with an average of 215 yards a game on the ground. ULL is almost equally as strong running the football, averaging 185 yards a game. But the Cajuns aren?t so strong defensively.
UL Lafayette is yielding 220 yards a game on the ground to rank seventh in the SBC. ASU is third among SBC teams allowing 163 yards a game on the ground.
This is very likely a weakness the Indians will try to exploit.
Arkansas State?s ground attack has been slowed with the injury to senior tailback Antonio Warren. But the Indians haven?t endured a significant reduction in Warren?s absence.
ASU rushed for 175 yards against Louisiana-Monroe, including 92 yards on 23 carries by senior Shermar Bracey while sophomore Chris Easley had 62 yards on nine attempts.
Last year ULL wide receiver Billy Sampy burned the Indians with nine receptions for 143 yards, including a 45-yard touchdown catch. But with Babb injured and Desormeaux not throwing the ball well, ASU will likely emphasize taking away the running game and force the Cajuns to put the ball in the air.
Even ULL expects to see seven- and eight-man fronts from ASU?s defense.
?I?m sure they?ll try to stop the run, try to stop Mike and Tyrell Fenroy,? ULL assistant coach Brian Crist said. ?They?ll tell us, ?If you think you can beat us throwing the ball, go ahead.? ?
Fenroy, a true freshman tailback, leads the Cajuns with 369 yards on 61 carries.
Were Babb healthy, this might be a much closer game. Even the Las Vegas sportsbooks have made Arkansas State a 10-point favorite.
ASU let one victory get away at Louisiana-Monroe. It won?t happen two weeks in a row.
Forecast: Arkansas State 24, UL Lafayette 13.

 

[IE]

Cajuns face a pivotal contest

JONESBORO, Ark. - Rickey Bustle doesn't like to use the term "must win," but he's looking for one tonight......

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[big joe]

Home-conference game=ASU -10.5
They play for conf. 1st and home games 2nd.
This one is both.