2013 Ragin' Cajuns of Louisiana

[johnnyzip84]

Louisiana - Monroe is happy with ULM. In 84 we changed our name from the University of Southwestern Louisiana to the University of Louisiana. A graduating class has that on their diploma. LSU got made and twisted the state legislature to force us to retake USL. We could only use the University of Louisiana if we got another university to go along with it and change their name. Also LSU was given "Flagship" status. In the early 1990's, Northeast Louisiana University (NLU) changed their name so now we have ULM. We are the second largest school in the state with 17,000 students. We also have the second largest campus. ULM has about 7,000 students. That's the short version of why this has come to be. It's a case of a BCS power school trying to keep the other schools down and pitting them against each other.

Thanks for the explanation. I was familiar with the old USL and NLU monikers. This sounds a little like the issue Ohio got into with Ohio State. Keep fighting the man! After all, you are one who cooks.

[Cajun Heisenberg]

Thanks for the explanation. I was familiar with the old USL and NLU monikers. This sounds a little like the issue Ohio got into with Ohio State. Keep fighting the man! After all, you are one who cooks.

If any of you guys do make it to raginpagin.com and use Lafayette, expect to be corrected. That's enough of the PSA. I believe you guys play a game down here in the near future. If you never been to New Orleans I would encourage you to fly in. It's a very fun city as you may have heard and just an hour and 45 minutes to the east of Lafayette. Lafayette and the Acadiana area is like another country and it alone is worth the trip. BTW, I will be cooking up a special red batch for Saturday. = - )

[Dave in Green]

Oldtime Louisiana Tech grad here, and I just have to reminisce. The Ragin' Cajuns were the greatest rivals anyone could ever ask for. When I was at Tech, Terry Bradshaw was the QB and USL was outgunned on the football field. But the basketball games were just insane. Future NBA coach Scotty Robertson at Tech and Louisiana legend Beryl Shipley at USL were two of the best basketball coaches in the South. USL guards Marvin Winkler and Bo Lamar -- both future NBA players -- broke many hearts from way outside the 3-point line that didn't even exist at that time, and future 4th overall NBA draft pick center Mike Green ruled the paint for Tech. We drove down from Ruston to Lafayette for every game, and loved the pulsating atmosphere at the old Blackham Coliseum.

Coach Shipley and USL broke the color barrier by being the first predominately white southern university to recruit black players. They paid dearly when the NCAA made them the first school to suffer the dreaded death penalty. But, oh my God, those were incredibly wonderful times with some of the most amazing basketball games I've ever witnessed. When we drove down from Ruston to Lafayette, we had a mixed car full of blacks and whites, and we were always a little nervous about being stopped by an unfriendly sheriff or local KKK group. But once we reached Cajun country we knew the attitude was at least slightly more enlightened.

This is really a big game for me. As much as I'm an adopted Akron Zips fan today, my mother was born and raised in Westlake, LA, deep in Cajun country, and I will always feel a part of the Cajun culture. So I hope that Louisiana performs as well as I remember from the good old days while losing to the Zips.

[skip-zip]

Let me just say this:

In my decades long history as a Zips fan, I have probably never seen a game have as much uncertainty attached to it as this game. Have we truly taken a big step forward? Or, did we play the game of our lives?

[Zipmeister]

I was pulling for you guys against Michigan. We've been on the losing end of games like that. It's heart breaking. I'm sure the Zips will bounce back and I'm expecting a heck of a battle. We didn't play well against Kansas State or Arkansas. Our only win thus far is against 1-AA Nicholls State. Nicholls is a small state school about an hour south of NOLA. They usually aren't much of a football power even at the 1-AA level. Stop by raginpagin.com and introduce yourself. FYI we prefer to be called UL or simply Louisiana (A real long story that started in 1984). I have a couple of questions for you guys I've always wondered about. Was the zipper invented in Akron thus the reason for the name? Also what does the Kangaroo have to do with your nickname? I wish the Zip Nation the best of luck this season after Saturday.

I'm kind of surprised a computer savvy guy like yourself hasn't looked up the answers to your questions on the Internet before now, but anyway here ya go.

Yes, the zipper was invented in Akron strangely enough by a guy whose name was Kangaroo. So the animal kangaroo actually has nothing to do with with our nickname, but it's a happy coincidence there is an animal called a kangaroo which we use to commemorate the inventor of the zipper, Fenmore T Kangaroo.

[Cajun Heisenberg]

I'm kind of surprised a computer savvy guy like yourself hasn't looked up the answers to your questions on the Internet before now, but anyway here ya go.

Yes, the zipper was invented in Akron strangely enough by a guy whose name was Kangaroo. So the animal kangaroo actually has nothing to do with with our nickname, but it's a happy coincidence there is an animal called a kangaroo which we use to commemorate the inventor of the zipper, Fenmore T Kangaroo.

Well the wooden computer I done made cuts in and out on me while I be riding on the back of me Gator. Seriously, if you've ever wondered about Ragin Cajuns, the name developed in the late 60's and early 70's. We use to be called the Bulldogs but we had so many local Cajun players, the call by call guy started calling us the Ragin Cajuns and the name stuck. He really should have trademarked that name.

[Redzone Radio]

Oldtime Louisiana Tech grad here, and I just have to reminisce. The Ragin' Cajuns were the greatest rivals anyone could ever ask for. When I was at Tech, Terry Bradshaw was the QB and USL was outgunned on the football field. But the basketball games were just insane. Future NBA coach Scotty Robertson at Tech and Louisiana legend Beryl Shipley at USL were two of the best basketball coaches in the South. USL guards Marvin Winkler and Bo Lamar -- both future NBA players -- broke many hearts from way outside the 3-point line that didn't even exist at that time, and future 4th overall NBA draft pick center Mike Green ruled the paint for Tech. We drove down from Ruston to Lafayette for every game, and loved the pulsating atmosphere at the old Blackham Coliseum.

Coach Shipley and USL broke the color barrier by being the first predominately white southern university to recruit black players. They paid dearly when the NCAA made them the first school to suffer the dreaded death penalty. But, oh my God, those were incredibly wonderful times with some of the most amazing basketball games I've ever witnessed. When we drove down from Ruston to Lafayette, we had a mixed car full of blacks and whites, and we were always a little nervous about being stopped by an unfriendly sheriff or local KKK group. But once we reached Cajun country we knew the attitude was at least slightly more enlightened.

This is really a big game for me. As much as I'm an adopted Akron Zips fan today, my mother was born and raised in Westlake, LA, deep in Cajun country, and I will always feel a part of the Cajun culture. So I hope that Louisiana performs as well as I remember from the good old days while losing to the Zips.

Dave, we appreciate the kind words about the Cajuns program but your memory of Terry’s Bradshaw’s dominance over the Ragin’ Cajuns is slightly skewed. USL back then was 3-1 against Louisiana Tech during Bradshaw’s career. Bradshaw finally beat the Cajuns his senior year in 1969, 34-21. He was never a major game breaker against USL until then.

[Dave in Green]

@Redzone Radio, you are correct that my memory was somewhat selective on Terry Bradshaw's success against the Ragin' Cajuns. That 34-21 win in 1969 was sweet because USL had won three in a row over Tech in the previous three seasons. The 1966 and 1967 Tech losses to USL came with Phil Robertson as the starting QB -- the same Phil Robertson who most recently has starred on A&E’s Duck Dynasty reality series. As good as Bradshaw was he didn't become the starting QB at Tech until his junior season after Robertson left.

In his first start against USL in Lafayette in 1968, Bradshaw and Tech suffered one of only two losses that season, losing 24-28. Even in the loss, Bradshaw was spectacular, throwing for a then-record 432 yards -- the second highest passing yardage of his college career. Ironically, that was the season that Tech and Bradshaw ended the year with a 33-13 win over the Akron Zips in the Grantland Rice Bowl. So Bradshaw had a career record of 1-1 against the Ragin' Cajuns. Tech and USL took turns breaking each other's hearts on both the football field and basketball court. That's why it was such a great college rivalry.

[johnnyzip84]

@Redzone Radio, you are correct that my memory was somewhat selective on Terry Bradshaw's success against the Ragin' Cajuns. That 34-21 win in 1969 was sweet because USL had won three in a row over Tech in the previous three seasons. The 1966 and 1967 Tech losses to USL came with Phil Robertson as the starting QB -- the same Phil Robertson who most recently has starred on A&E’s Duck Dynasty reality series. As good as Bradshaw was he didn't become the starting QB at Tech until his junior season after Robertson left.

In his first start against USL in Lafayette in 1968, Bradshaw and Tech suffered one of only two losses that season, losing 24-28. Even in the loss, Bradshaw was spectacular, throwing for a then-record 432 yards -- the second highest passing yardage of his college career. Ironically, that was the season that Tech and Bradshaw ended the year with a 33-13 win over the Akron Zips in the Grantland Rice Bowl. So Bradshaw had a career record of 1-1 against the Ragin' Cajuns. Tech and USL took turns breaking each other's hearts on both the football field and basketball court. That's why it was such a great college rivalry.

Knit one, pearl two. Knit one, pearl two.

I have always followed the less prominent (nationally) programs and conferences, and I recall USL getting off to a great start in 1976 in the original version of the Southland Conference (before I-AA was created in 1978). The following youtube gives highlights of what had to be a somewhat frustrating season with Northwestern St ending the perfect season one week and McNeese St taking the Southland Crown (and Independence Bowl bid). Ahh that 70's music.

[Redzone Radio]

Knit one, pearl two. Knit one, pearl two.

I have always followed the less prominent (nationally) programs and conferences, and I recall USL getting off to a great start in 1976 in the original version of the Southland Conference (before I-AA was created in 1978). The following youtube gives highlights of what had to be a somewhat frustrating season with Northwestern St ending the perfect season one week and McNeese St taking the Southland Crown (and Independence Bowl bid). Ahh that 70's music.

Wow! All I can say is thanks for that trip down memory lane! The 1976 team was one of my favorites of all time growing up as a Cajun fan. A number of those players went on to play in the NFL. Roy Henry was a transfer from Notre Dame and Dave Oliver was my favorite offensive player. That was a great season, but I always remember sitting at home watching McNeese St play in the Independence Bowl instead of the Cajuns.

[Dr Z]

2 for $20 tickets.

[Dr Z]

EA does a piece on D'Orazio.

Professional response.

"I didn't say anything inappropriate or rude (to the official), but I did say I thought that was a flag. It's no point arguing with the refs, but I was frustrated, for sure. There's nothing you can do to change it, but Kyle (Pohl) threw a heck of a ball. I know people think he overthrew it, but that ball was in a great spot. I had a chance to get to it, but ... "

Nice photo...or terrible...ah, I guess it could be nice and terrible at the same time.

[johnnyzip84]

Interestingly, Louisiana also has an Aussie punter on their roster, and he is their starter!

[RaginCajun309]

Wow that video was great! We had season tickets in the 1980's and I went to every game as a student in the mid 1990's but unfortunately I never saw too many great Cajun teams (but I was in the front row when we beat Texas A&M in 1996!!).

I'm working in western PA right now and was hoping to make the short drive over for the game on Saturday but it looks like I can't make it, I was looking forward to seeing ya'lls stadium.

I watched the end of Akron's game last week and was pulling for you as we've been in similar situations against "elite" teams over the years. Unfortunately for the Zips I think the hangover is going to catch up to them and the Cajuns will be overly prepared and the Zips will go down with the Cajuns winning going away. 34-21 Cajuns.

Good luck to the Zips in 2013, just not this week! I hope a large contingent of Zips comes down to Cajun country in 2015, it would be worth the trip for the food alone!

GEAUX CAJUNS

[Blue & Gold]

Nico Caponi is not listed on this week's 2-deep Depth Chart.

Someone mentioned he got hurt last week, but I've neither heard nor read anything about it since.

[edit] Hmm. Surprisingly, CJ Mizell is still not listed on the 2-deep.

[mes102]

Lee Corso picked UCF to beat Penn State last week in his Upset Alert.

Do you know who he picked this week? AKRON over Louisiana-Lafayette

[akzipper]

Lee Corso picked UCF to beat Penn State last week in his Upset Alert.

Do you know who he picked this week? AKRON over Louisiana-Lafayette

I don't think UCF should be an upset over Penn State. They are a very good team and were crushing the Nittany Lions for most of that game.

If last week's Akron team shows up we can beat anyone. If the team that faced off against JMU and UCF shows up we could be in for a long day. I really have no idea what to expect at 6.

Hoping for a great crowd, but I'm sure there will be plenty of excuses. Raining, too cold, too expensive, uncomfortable seats, blah blah blah.

[akzipper]

Hopefully Pohl got the interceptions out of the way now. 2 Already on the first 2 drives.

Zips aren't being very aggressive at all, not moving vertically down the field. Let's get some points!

[lance99]

Just go down deep. What do you have to lose at this point.

[akzipper]

I don't how many more of these 1 yard screen passes I can watch.

This would be a very embarrassing loss after we finally had some positive buzz surrounding our program.

[lance99]

TOUCHDOWN!!!!!!!! Finally!

[akzipper]

Shocking! first throw downfield...goes for a TD.

[lance99]

ANOTHER TOUCHDOWN!!!!!!

[lance99]

Beat the fake FG, but flopping by ULL

[akronzips71]

Beat the fake FG, but flopping by ULL

WTF was that call?

That has to make the highlights as the worst penalty call of the season.

The LL player actually bumped into #4, who had his arms at his side, and flopped and got a penalty.

The official needs glasses.