Fort Lauderdale-FAU has played some tough teams so far this season, but may have found the toughest team to score on is Sun- Belt Conference foe Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns. In front of 9,827 at Lockhart Stadium, and a national audience crowd on ESPN2, the Owls offense failed to score for a whole game, the second time this season (Kansas State blanked FAU 45-0 on September 9).
FAU (2-5) (1-1 in Sun Belt) was focused on stopping one of the more elite rushing attacks in the Sun- Belt Conference. In the first quarter neither team could move the ball. Early in the second quarter the Ragin’ Cajuns scored first on a 44 yard field goal by Drew Edmiston. The score came after FAU failed to challenge an interception by Louisiana-Lafayette. The ball clearly hit the ground before the player intercepted the ball. For some reason FAU coaches did not ask the refs for a replay challenge. Not challenging the play cost FAU the lead as Louisiana-Lafayette capitalized in a otherwise sloppy first half of football. At the half the Louisiana- Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns (4-2) (1-0 in Sun Belt) led FAU 3-0. Second year ULL defensive back Jason Chery, who is from Delray Beach, believed his defense was the difference in the hard fought Sun-Belt Conference battle.
“The defense is good. Really we didn’t play as well as we should have,” Chery said.
It sure looked like they did, and a 6-0 score is total domination in college football, especially on the road.
Before the half, another questionable call almost cost ULL a touchdown, which would have made the score 10-0. Owl defensive back Troy Pindell slammed a Ragin’ Cajun player to the ground and the play was whistled dead by officials. It appeared that the only part of the ULL player’s body that hit the ground, nevertheless neither play was reviewed.
Lafayette kicker Edmiston booted another field goal, this time for 43 yards and ULL took a 6-0 lead. Halfway through the fourth quarter the Ragin’ Cajuns missed another field goal attempt. The home crowd made it so loud that Louisiana-Lafayette had a delay of game penalty resulting in giving FAU back the ball. With two seconds left in the game FAU quarterback fired a pass in the end-zone to win the game but it was knocked away by a ULL defender.
While some were doubting the Owls early in the season, FAU Head Football Coach Howard Schnellenberger felt his team gained valuable experience in the first four non-conference blowouts.
“The team was not in a funk. The first four games, despite what some think, was a matter of getting experience on how Division I-A football should be played. We weren’t relieved when the first four were over but were satisfied with the experience we received,” Schnellenberger said.
Schnellenberger also commented on last Saturday’s University of Miami, and Florida International football fight.
“It is disheartening for everyone who loves college football here in South Florida and the nation to see the two Miami teams fall into the trap of winning by talk,” Schnellenberger said.
FAU middle linebacker Cergile Sincere felt his defense played well enough to win the game.
“Other than trick plays they didn’t have anything get past us,” Sincere said.
Two AM radio stations, WJNA 640AM, WPSL 1590AM, broadcasted the game, and ESPN2 televised the game live with Dave Barnett, (play by play) Ray Bentley, (analyst) and Dave Lamont (sideline).
Owls & Ragin’ Cajun Fact Box
? The loyal FAU students who sat in the west end-zone for the first home game, moved to behind the Louisiana-Lafayette bench to distract the visiting Ragin’ Cajuns.
? Ragin’ Cajun Jason Chery, a sophomore, is from Delray Beach. He went to high school at Spanish River.
? ULL has an enrollment of 17,075.
? The Rgin’ Cajuns have played at Louisiana State, Houston, and Texas A&M. Their schedule is similar to the FAU 2006 schedule in terms of toughness.
