LAFAYETTE - Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns head football coach Rickey Bustle held his weekly media luncheon Monday afternoon at the Cox Communications Athletic Center. Louisiana (1-7) travels to Knoxville, Tenn., to face the Tennessee Volunteers (5-3) Saturday at Neyland Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. (CT).

The Cajuns, who are coming off a bye week, dropped a 39-32 heartbreaker to Florida Atlantic on Oct. 20 at Cajun Field. Louisiana was 63 seconds away from a shocking upset of the Owls, only to be shocked in overtime. UL tied the game with 7:47 remaining in regulation, and then after a terrific defensive stand, quarterback Michael Desormeaux put the Cajuns in front 32-25 after a 32-yard touchdown run at the 1:03 mark of the fourth quarter. However, FAU drove the length of the field and tied the game, ultimately forcing extra time, after a 17-yard touchdown pass.

Desormeaux led all players with 145 rushing yards on 23 carries, while adding two touchdown runs. The New Iberia, La. native also completed 14-of-22 passing for 121 yards. Desormeaux leads the Cajuns with 883 rushing yards and six touchdowns, averaging 5.8 yards per carry. He currently ranks 25th among all NCAA Division I FBS players with 110.38 rushing yards per game.

Tennessee enters Saturday's game winners in three of its last four games. Last weekend, the Volunteers edged the 15th-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks 27-24 in overtime at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee is 4-0 at home this season.

In the lone previous meeting in the series, the Volunteers posted a 38-3 season-opening victory in Knoxville on Sept. 5, 1992. It was also the first head coaching victory for current UT head coach Phillip Fulmer.

Following Saturday's game with Tennessee, Louisiana will return to Sun Belt Conference action when it travels to Murfreesboro, Tenn., to face the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Saturday, Nov. 10.

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