University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Spring Football Practice Report No. 8
3/25/2017 9:15:00 PM | Football
Trio of running backs looking to pace Ragin' Cajuns ground game
LAFAYETTE – The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team wrapped up its third week of spring practice, working for nearly two hours indoors on Saturday at the Moncla Indoor Practice Facility.
Louisiana, which held its eighth of 15 practices during the spring, continued installation of its offensive and defensive packages with fundamental work on special teams.
"I thought we threw (and caught) the ball about as well as I've seen us in a long time," head coach Mark Hudspeth said. "The ball was jumping off (quarterback) Jordan Davis' hands. We had a couple of deep balls that looked really good. Our receivers were fast, and they already look big.
"Our timing looked good and our execution is starting to come together after so much installation. I thought that was evident today."
The Ragin' Cajuns continued in their pursuit to replace four-year letterwinner Elijah McGuire with senior Darius Hoggins, sophomore Jordan Wright and redshirt freshman Trey Ragas slated to be the main rushers during the 2017 season.
"That group has been one of the biggest surprises because they all have been excelling," Hudspeth said. "We've got speed. We've got guys with hands. We've got power … we've got some with a combination of both. They're all working extremely hard and they all are very unselfish, and to me that's what makes the group even better."
Another area where Louisiana should see increased performance will be at wide receiver with Keenan Barnes, Ja'Marcus Bradley and Michael Jacquet all returning after solid performances in 2016.
Barnes, who tied for the Sun Belt Conference lead in TD receptions (6), finished second for Louisiana in both receptions (31) and yards (418). Bradley finished fourth on the team with 21 receptions while leading the team in yards per catch (17.8) while Jacquet caught 15 passes with a touchdown as a redshirt freshman.
"Having those three guys on the field at the same time is causing us some problems defensively because they're all long and fast and do a great job of running routes," Hudspeth said. "(Wide receivers coach) Jorge (Munoz) has done a great job in putting that group together, and they've made a lot of progress."
Louisiana will return to action on Tuesday (March 28) when it works out at 9:50 a.m. The Ragin' Cajuns will hold their annual Red-White Spring Game on April 8 at noon and will open the 2017 season on Sept. 2 at Cajun Field against Southeastern Louisiana.
The renewal process for Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football season tickets is currently underway and fans are encouraged to renew their tickets for the 2017 season by April 17.
Season tickets, beginning at $110, are available for purchase. Reserved and chairback seating is available for $135 per seat with the Family 5 Pack available for $405.
Fans can renew their season tickets online at RaginCajuns.com using Account Manager.
2017 Louisiana Ragin Cajuns Football Spring Practice Schedule
Dates and times are subject to change
Tuesday, March 28 – 3:50 p.m.
Thursday, March 30 – 3:50 p.m. (Coaches' Clinic)
Saturday, April 1 – 9:50 a.m. (Scrimmage)
Tuesday, April 4 – 3:50 p.m.
Wednesday, April 5 – 3:50 p.m.
Friday, April 7 – 3:50 p.m.
Saturday, April 8 – Red-White Spring Game, 12 p.m.
Louisiana, which held its eighth of 15 practices during the spring, continued installation of its offensive and defensive packages with fundamental work on special teams.
"I thought we threw (and caught) the ball about as well as I've seen us in a long time," head coach Mark Hudspeth said. "The ball was jumping off (quarterback) Jordan Davis' hands. We had a couple of deep balls that looked really good. Our receivers were fast, and they already look big.
"Our timing looked good and our execution is starting to come together after so much installation. I thought that was evident today."
The Ragin' Cajuns continued in their pursuit to replace four-year letterwinner Elijah McGuire with senior Darius Hoggins, sophomore Jordan Wright and redshirt freshman Trey Ragas slated to be the main rushers during the 2017 season.
"That group has been one of the biggest surprises because they all have been excelling," Hudspeth said. "We've got speed. We've got guys with hands. We've got power … we've got some with a combination of both. They're all working extremely hard and they all are very unselfish, and to me that's what makes the group even better."
Another area where Louisiana should see increased performance will be at wide receiver with Keenan Barnes, Ja'Marcus Bradley and Michael Jacquet all returning after solid performances in 2016.
Barnes, who tied for the Sun Belt Conference lead in TD receptions (6), finished second for Louisiana in both receptions (31) and yards (418). Bradley finished fourth on the team with 21 receptions while leading the team in yards per catch (17.8) while Jacquet caught 15 passes with a touchdown as a redshirt freshman.
"Having those three guys on the field at the same time is causing us some problems defensively because they're all long and fast and do a great job of running routes," Hudspeth said. "(Wide receivers coach) Jorge (Munoz) has done a great job in putting that group together, and they've made a lot of progress."
Louisiana will return to action on Tuesday (March 28) when it works out at 9:50 a.m. The Ragin' Cajuns will hold their annual Red-White Spring Game on April 8 at noon and will open the 2017 season on Sept. 2 at Cajun Field against Southeastern Louisiana.
The renewal process for Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football season tickets is currently underway and fans are encouraged to renew their tickets for the 2017 season by April 17.
Season tickets, beginning at $110, are available for purchase. Reserved and chairback seating is available for $135 per seat with the Family 5 Pack available for $405.
Fans can renew their season tickets online at RaginCajuns.com using Account Manager.
2017 Louisiana Ragin Cajuns Football Spring Practice Schedule
Dates and times are subject to change
Tuesday, March 28 – 3:50 p.m.
Thursday, March 30 – 3:50 p.m. (Coaches' Clinic)
Saturday, April 1 – 9:50 a.m. (Scrimmage)
Tuesday, April 4 – 3:50 p.m.
Wednesday, April 5 – 3:50 p.m.
Friday, April 7 – 3:50 p.m.
Saturday, April 8 – Red-White Spring Game, 12 p.m.
Players Mentioned
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