University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Offense Outlasts Defense, 57-51, in Final Football Scrimmage
4/13/2013 5:00:00 PM | Football
Contact: Brian McCann
LAFAYETTE, La. – After a quick offensive start to the day, the Ragin' Cajuns offense had to rally late to claim a 57-51 win over the defense in the final scrimmage of the spring on Saturday morning in Cajun Field. The 120-minute, 99-play scrimmage was played under perfect weather conditions.
With the annual Red vs. White spring game slated for next Saturday (April 20) at 4:00 p.m. at Cajun Field, the scrimmage was the best opportunity for the players to earn a spot in the lineup.
“I thought we had some good energy out there today,” Louisiana head coach Mark Hudspeth said. “I was a little worried after yesterday, but both teams came ready to play.
“The one thing that stood out to me is that Terrance Broadway continues to get better and better. He was in mid-season form today. He knows what to do in each situation and where the ball needs to go. He is like a coach on the field.”
The offense got off to a great start during the 30-play scripted portion of the scrimmage that started the morning. With the offense facing either a first or third down scenario on each play, the offense jumped out to a quick lead as junior quarterback Terrance Broadway adeptly guided the Cajuns offense.
Redshirt freshman quarterback D'Shaie Landor was involved in the only two scoring plays of the scripted portion of the day. He opened the scoring for the offense by breaking loose on a 62-yard run. Two series later, Landor connected with Ricky Johnson on a 42-yard touchdown pass
Utilizing a scoring system that gave the defense points for third down stops, forcing turnovers and not allowing a first down on a possession, the defense was able to rally during the goal line portion of the day.
With the offense facing a third and goal inside the three-yard line on each play, the defense rallied by stopping the offense on eight of the 12 goal line plays.
“I don't think the defense was happy with the way they started the day and they showed it on the goal line plays. We've got a lot of talent on our defensive line and linebacker units this year that is capable of making plays. They did just that today,” Hudspeth said.
The final 57plays was a straight scrimmage, the majority of which was played with the trio of freshman quarterbacks Brooks Haack, Jalen Nixon and Landor rotating among the first and second units. Broadway played just two series.
The defense turned in a number of game-altering plays during the scrimmage, including four sacks of the Cajun quarterback quartet. Sophomore defensive end Chris Prater was involved in two of the sacks.
The biggest defensive play of the game came when cornerback Jevante Watson stepped in front of a Landor pass and worked his way down the field for an 85-yard touchdown. The play accounted for 11 points for the defense and came with the defense trailing by 18.
“I told our guys after the scrimmage that they can never give up because one play can turn things around,” Hudspeth said. “People thought we were out of the game when we trailed ULM (in 2011) and WKU (in 2012) late but when you believe, you are never out of it.”
Watson's interception was the first turnover committed by the Cajuns offense in the two scrimmages, a number that Hudspeth both liked and disliked.
“To play over 200 plays this spring and the only turnover comes with the second team offense speaks volumes about how well the offense is taking care of the ball. The first team has run over 100 plays without a turnover, a stat that I'd like to carry over to the fall,” Hudspeth said.
“Our defense needs to create more plays and I know that will come. Our guys are still getting used to the new defensive approach and we just need to get to the point where they are acting on instinct instead of having to think about things when they happen.”
Hudspeth was also happy with the performances on special teams.
Sophomore transfer Stephen Brauchle converted a pair of 50-yard efforts in the scrimmage while junior punter Daniel Cadona boomed several punts, including a 56-yard long.
The scrimmage served as the 12th practice of the 15 allowed by the NCAA during the spring period. Louisiana will practice on Wednesday and Friday this week before closing out spring with the Red & White game on Saturday. The spring game will be free to the public and be part of a busy day of Cajuns athletics.
On that day, the Louisiana men's and women's tennis teams will be hosting the Sun Belt Championships at the Culotta Tennis Center. Following the spring game, the baseball team will play the second game of a three-game series vs. Florida Atlantic at M.L. “Tigue” Moore Field starting at 6:00 p.m.
LAFAYETTE, La. – After a quick offensive start to the day, the Ragin' Cajuns offense had to rally late to claim a 57-51 win over the defense in the final scrimmage of the spring on Saturday morning in Cajun Field. The 120-minute, 99-play scrimmage was played under perfect weather conditions.
With the annual Red vs. White spring game slated for next Saturday (April 20) at 4:00 p.m. at Cajun Field, the scrimmage was the best opportunity for the players to earn a spot in the lineup.
“I thought we had some good energy out there today,” Louisiana head coach Mark Hudspeth said. “I was a little worried after yesterday, but both teams came ready to play.
“The one thing that stood out to me is that Terrance Broadway continues to get better and better. He was in mid-season form today. He knows what to do in each situation and where the ball needs to go. He is like a coach on the field.”
The offense got off to a great start during the 30-play scripted portion of the scrimmage that started the morning. With the offense facing either a first or third down scenario on each play, the offense jumped out to a quick lead as junior quarterback Terrance Broadway adeptly guided the Cajuns offense.
Redshirt freshman quarterback D'Shaie Landor was involved in the only two scoring plays of the scripted portion of the day. He opened the scoring for the offense by breaking loose on a 62-yard run. Two series later, Landor connected with Ricky Johnson on a 42-yard touchdown pass
Utilizing a scoring system that gave the defense points for third down stops, forcing turnovers and not allowing a first down on a possession, the defense was able to rally during the goal line portion of the day.
With the offense facing a third and goal inside the three-yard line on each play, the defense rallied by stopping the offense on eight of the 12 goal line plays.
“I don't think the defense was happy with the way they started the day and they showed it on the goal line plays. We've got a lot of talent on our defensive line and linebacker units this year that is capable of making plays. They did just that today,” Hudspeth said.
The final 57plays was a straight scrimmage, the majority of which was played with the trio of freshman quarterbacks Brooks Haack, Jalen Nixon and Landor rotating among the first and second units. Broadway played just two series.
The defense turned in a number of game-altering plays during the scrimmage, including four sacks of the Cajun quarterback quartet. Sophomore defensive end Chris Prater was involved in two of the sacks.
The biggest defensive play of the game came when cornerback Jevante Watson stepped in front of a Landor pass and worked his way down the field for an 85-yard touchdown. The play accounted for 11 points for the defense and came with the defense trailing by 18.
“I told our guys after the scrimmage that they can never give up because one play can turn things around,” Hudspeth said. “People thought we were out of the game when we trailed ULM (in 2011) and WKU (in 2012) late but when you believe, you are never out of it.”
Watson's interception was the first turnover committed by the Cajuns offense in the two scrimmages, a number that Hudspeth both liked and disliked.
“To play over 200 plays this spring and the only turnover comes with the second team offense speaks volumes about how well the offense is taking care of the ball. The first team has run over 100 plays without a turnover, a stat that I'd like to carry over to the fall,” Hudspeth said.
“Our defense needs to create more plays and I know that will come. Our guys are still getting used to the new defensive approach and we just need to get to the point where they are acting on instinct instead of having to think about things when they happen.”
Hudspeth was also happy with the performances on special teams.
Sophomore transfer Stephen Brauchle converted a pair of 50-yard efforts in the scrimmage while junior punter Daniel Cadona boomed several punts, including a 56-yard long.
The scrimmage served as the 12th practice of the 15 allowed by the NCAA during the spring period. Louisiana will practice on Wednesday and Friday this week before closing out spring with the Red & White game on Saturday. The spring game will be free to the public and be part of a busy day of Cajuns athletics.
On that day, the Louisiana men's and women's tennis teams will be hosting the Sun Belt Championships at the Culotta Tennis Center. Following the spring game, the baseball team will play the second game of a three-game series vs. Florida Atlantic at M.L. “Tigue” Moore Field starting at 6:00 p.m.
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