ulbowl - dec2013

Bowl Extra December 15, 20132

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Tuesday

» 11a.m. to 2 p.m.—CajunWalkand Food Truck Roundup at CajunField Gate A. Ragin’ Cajuns foot-ball team leaves for New OrleansBowlwithCajunWalk at12:45 p.m.

Thursday

» 6-7:30 p.m. — Curtis JohnsonRadio Call-in Show from New Or-leans Hamburger & Seafood, 4141St. Charles Ave.

» 9p.m.—Ragin’Cajuns “We’reBack Again!” Parade, presentedby Lafayette Convention and Visi-tors Commission. Beginning at theNew Orleans Marriott, 555 CanalSt., the Pride of Acadiana march-

ing bandwill lead fans alongBour-bon Street in second line fashion.Fans are encouraged to bringMar-di Gras beads to throwwhile walk-ing the parade.

Friday

»Noon — New Orleans Bowlluncheon at the New OrleansMarriott

» 3-5 p.m. — Ragin’ Cajuns FanFest, presented by Home Bank,Friday at the New Orleans Marri-ott. Party for Ragin’ Cajuns fans,with live music, cash bar and aroom of Ragin’ Cajuns.

» 7 p.m. — Free Friday nightconcert at Champions Square onthe grounds of theMercedes-Benz

Superdome. Charlie Daniels andTravis Tritt will perform.

Saturday

» 1-5 p.m. — Rouses LouisianaTailgate Party. Food, drinks andentertainment from Sammy Ker-shawat theRouses parking lot, 701Baronne St.

» 4-6:30 p.m.—RCAF/ULAlum-ni Association Pre-game TailgateParty in the Superdome Bienvilleroom(enterGateC).Ragin’Cajunsfans are invited to the pregametailgating party, with live musicprovided by the Bayou Boys andthe Storyville Stompers. Admis-sion is free to all RCAF 2013 Annu-al Fund donors and 2013 UL Alum-

ni Association members. Bringyour membership cards for easyaccess. Open to all other fans for$10 per person. Food and drinksare available for purchase. Fanswill be able to go to their seats di-rectly from the party.

» 5:30-7:15 p.m. — R+L CarriersNew Orleans Bowl Tailgate PartyatChampionsSquare. Fans cangetready for the game and enjoy livemusic by Band Camp outside theMercedes-Benz Superdome. En-tertainment, food and beveragesare available. This event is free tothe public.

» 8 p.m. — Kickoff vs. TulaneUniversity at the Superdome.

Ragin' Cajuns fans celebrate the football team's appearance in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl during the 2012 Fan Fest pep rally. PAUL KIEU, THE ADVERTISER

BOWLWEEKSCHEDULE OF EVENTS


vs.

Lo i e P r

saturday, december 21stfood & drinks 2pm - 6pmchee weez 3pm - 6pm


Where to eat

» Parkway Bakery & Tavern —If a good, traditional New Orleanspo’boy is what you crave, look nofurther. These bad boys have beenendorsed by the president. Whatmore could you ask for? Located at538 Hagan Ave.

» CochonButcher—If amuffu-letta or boudin is what you’re after,lookno further than this casual delicounter that is attached to the full-service restaurant Cochon. Thisbutcher shop and swine bar offerstasty,casualpiggyfavorites.Locat-ed at 930 Tchoupitoulas St.

»Mr. B’s Bistro— If you’re look-ing for authentic New Orleansatmosphere that isn’t too fancy, thisjazzyrestaurant is just right.Warmup with a bowl of gumbo or a bardrink. Located at 201Royal St.

» The Joint — This barbecuejoint scores a 27 out of 30 Zagatscore for its food and has beenknown to attract Saints players.The quirky spot boasts “last-meal-good” ribs and slaw-topped pulledpork sandwiches. Located at 701Mazant St.

Where to shop

»Magazine Street — Thiseclectic shopping destination is theperfect place to wrap up yourChristmas shopping. Pick up ev-erything fromfineChina andhand-made jewelry to used books and lo-cal artwork along MagazineStreet’s many local shops.

» Canal Place — This upscaleshopping destination provides amall-style browsing experienceand offers shops such as Saks FifthAvenue, Tiffany & Co., Coach andMignon Faget.

» Royal Street —This galleryshopping destination is perfect forfine art and antique lovers. Theprices can be steep, but window

shopping is a must. Don’t miss thegallery of Lafayette artist GeorgeRodrigue in the 700 block of RoyalStreet.

NOLA by day

» HolidayCookingDemonstra-tion—Learn the secrets of Reveil-lon chefs at this cooking demon-stration, which involves new takeson Creole classics. Score free sam-ples and restaurant recipes fromacclaimedchefsduring the 30-min-ute demonstration. The Holiday

While you’re there ...There’s no shortage

of things to do in

New Orleans

Food, shopping and fun are on themenu in New Orleans for this year’sNew Orleans Bowl. ADVERTISER FILE

PHOTOS

See ACTIVITIES, Page 7G


Cooking demonstration happens at2 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays atthe Farmers Market stage in theFrenchMarket, 1008 N. Peters St.

» Audubon Aquarium of theAmericas — This living museumboasts 15,000 water creatures,from seahorses and fish to pen-guins and alligators. Perhaps thecoolest part of the aquarium is the30-foot-longCaribbeanReef tunnelthat guests can walk beneath. Ad-mission is $22.50 for adults and $17for children. The aquarium is at 1Canal St.

» Jackson Square—Named forthe three bronze statues ofAndrewJackson located in the center of thesquare, this beautiful park is alsothe centerpiece of an open-air art-

ist colony and numerous restau-rants and shops. Be sure to drop bythe ever-popular Cafe Du Mondefor coffee and beignets. JacksonSquare is at 751Decatur St.

NOLA by night

» Celebration in the Oaks —Get into the holiday spirit with thisenchanted holiday light festivalthat spans 13 acres of City Park.Tickets cost $8and include livemu-sic. Amusement park rides cost ex-tra, but an unlimited ride band canbe purchased for $17, which in-cludes the2-mile train ride throughlight exhibits, the animated CajunNight Before Christmas displayand the iconic snowman, Mr. Bin-gle. Don’t miss the Who Dat tree!Find out more about Celebration intheOaks,which is open from6 to10p.m. weeknights and 6 to 11 p.m.Friday and Saturday, at

neworleanscitypark.com. CityPark is at 1 Palm Drive.

» French Quarter — If jazz iswhat you’re after, you can hardlyleave the French Quarter withouthearing a soulful saxophonist orplayful pianist. Check out theBom-bay Club at 830 Conti St., Club 300Jazz Restaurant at 300 Decatur St.or Preservation Hall, 726 Saint Pe-ter St.

» Bourbon Street — Sure, it’sthe cliche tourist spot for nightlife,but it’s also a fun spot to party be-fore or after the big Bowl game.The street dates back to the early1700s and is home tomusic venues,dive restaurants and burlesqueclubs. Check out Bourbon Heat, lo-cated on the site of the historic Tri-couHouseat711BourbonSt.,whichoffers a jazz courtyard downstairsand a dance club upstairs. Anddon’t forget to try thehandgrenadefrom Tropical Isle, 721Bourbon St.

ActivitiesContinued from Page 6G

The Audubon Aquarium is a fun stopfor the family. AP


DURING AND AFTERTHE GAME

Viewaphoto gallery of pregameactivities, game actionand postgame reac-tion. Read post-game stories withreaction from play-ers and coaches.

Watch postgamevideo with reactionfrom players andcoaches.

Youwill findcompletepregame,live and postgame coverage of theNewOrleansBowlonyourcomput-er and mobile devices attheadvertiser.com.

BEFORE THE GAME

Watch video reports from NewOrleans and read blogs by Adver-tiser staff.

ReadcollectionofRagin’CajunsTwitter updates on the week’s ac-tivities, aswell aspregameand livegame action.

UL PHOTO GALLERIES

From Mark Hudspeth to line-backerJustinAnderson, seephotosof theULplayers, coaches and fansfrom the memorable 2013 season.

Check out the festivities in NewOrleans fromparades topep rallieswith our daily photo galleries.

In addition to the sea of red ex-pected to be in New Orleans, alsocheck out photos of the TulaneGreenWave.

UL OPPSCORING 415 323Pts Per Game 34.5 26.92

FIRST DOWNS 264 250Rushing 134 102Passing 116 130Penalty 14 18

RUSHING 2491 1857Attempts 518 446Avg. Per Rush 4.8 4.2Avg. Per Game 207.6 154.8TDs Rushing 31 17

PASSING 2602 2871Comp-Att-Int. 182-298-12 235-384-11Avg. Per Pass 8.7 7.4Avg. Per Catch 14.3 12.2Avg. Per Game 216.8 239.2TDs Passing 21 17

TOTAL OFFENSE 5093 4728Avg. Per Play 6.2 5.7Avg. Per Game 424.4 394.0

KICK RETURNS 42-840 48-1070

INT. RETURNS 11-249 12-195

FUMBLES-LOST 25-8 17-9

PENALTIES-LOST 61-568 59-541

PUNTS-AVG. 46-41.8 49-41.1

TIME/POSSESSION 29:14 30:46Third Down Conv. 81-158 73-172Fourth Down Conv. 4-14 9-25

TUL OPPSCORING 301 254Pts Per Game 25.0 21.1

FIRST DOWNS 202 233Rushing 80 75Passing 100 134Penalty 22 24

RUSHING 1537 1430Attempts 433 458Avg. Per Rush 3.5 3.1Avg. Per Game 128.1 119.2TDs Rushing 12 15

PASSING 2113 2801Comp-Att-Int. 204-379-13 226-406-17Avg. Per Pass 5.6 6.9Avg. Per Catch 10.4 12.4Avg. Per Game 176.1 233.4TDs Passing 19 13

TOTAL OFFENSE 3650 4231Avg. Per Play 4.5 4.9Avg. Per Game 30.42 352.6

KICK RETURNS 29-590 12-255

INT. RETURNS 17-362 13-143

FUMBLES-LOST 12-8 24-16

PENALTIES-LOST 82-736 89-769

PUNTS-AVG. 73-40.8 69-40.5

TIME/POSSESSION 30:35 29:25Third Down Conv. 66-182 78-198Fourth Down Conv. 5-10 6-10

TEAM COMPARISON

UL defensive lineman Marvin Martin

UL running back Elijah McGuire

UL’s leading receiver Jamal Robinson

THE NEW ORLEANS BOWL RAGIN’ CAJUNS VS. TULANE

ONLINEAll Week Long

Bowl Extra December 15, 20139LA-1000465070


2013 SCHEDULE

Aug. 31, at Arkansas, L, 34-14Sept. 7, at Kansas St., L, 48-27Sept. 14, Nicholls,W, 70-7Sept. 21, at Akron,W, 35-30Oct. 5, Texas State,W, 48-24Oct.15, atW.Kentucky,W, 37-20Oct. 22, at Arkansas St.,W, 23-7Nov. 2, N. Mexico St.,W, 49-35Nov. 7, Troy,W, 41-36Nov.16,atGeorgiaState,W, 35-21Nov. 30, UL Monroe, L, 31-28Dec. 7, at SouthAlabama,L, 30-8

PASSING

Com Att Int Yds TDsT. Broadway 154 247 10 2276 19B. Haack 21 35 1 224 1D. Landor 2 5 0 9 0J. Nixon 4 10 1 94 1

RUSHING

Att Yds TDsAlonzo Harris 186 868 13E. McGuire 92 818 7T. Broadway 117 421 8Torrey Pierce 40 188 2Montrel Carter 17 103 1Effrem Reed 11 57 0Marcus Jackson 15 52 0Darryl Surgent 5 20 0Devin Scott 1 11 0D’Shaie Landor 4 -1 0B. Haack 14 -1 0Jalen Nixon 2 5 0

RECEIVING

Rec Yds TDsJamal Robinson 50 812 8Darryl Surgent 29 398 5James Butler 26 363 1Elijah McGuire 15 290 3Jacob Maxwell 12 158 2Ian Thompson 10 66 0Devin Figaro 10 183 0Effrem Reed 10 100 1Ricky Johnson 6 96 0Jared Johnson 6 65 0Alonzo Harris 3 19 1Lance Pace 2 10 0Devin Scott 1 37 0Adam Savoie 1 5 0Nick Byrne 1 4 0

FIELD GOALS

FG XP LongStephen Brauchle 8-13 51-53 38

PUNTING

ATT AVG LongDaniel Cadona 46 41.8 59

DEFENSIVE LEADERS

Solos Assist TacklesJ. Anderson 71 52 123Dom. Tovell 38 26 64Sean Thomas 42 18 60T.J. Worthy 37 19 56Trevence Patt 41 13 54Corey Trim 33 10 43Al Riles 27 11 38Chris Hill 25 12 37Justin Hamilton 24 13 37Tig Barksdale 16 12 28Tyren Alexander 15 7 22Marquis White 11 8 19Boris Anyama 8 10 18Marvin Martin 8 7 15Jake Molbert 6 9 15Christian Ringo 12 3 15

INTERCEPTIONS

Tig Barksdale 2, Sean Thomas 2, Justin Anderson 1, TrevencePatt 1, T.J. Worthy 1, Al Riles 1, Corey Trim 1, Rodney Gillis 1,Dominick Jones 1.

SACKS

Justin Hamilton 3,MarvinMartin 3, Chris Prater 3, DominiqueTovell 2, Remaine Douglas 2, Marquis White 2, Christian Rin-go 1, Jacob Molbert 1, Tyren Alexander 1, Tig Barksdale 1,Chris Hill 1, Brandon McCray 0.5.

UL running back Alonzo Harris has made a habit out of rushing for touchdowns this season for the Ragin’ Cajuns. LESLIEWESTBROOK, THE ADVERTISER

LOUISIANA’S RAGIN’ CAJUNS

2013STATS


1. Who is minding the offense?

Obviously, Terrance Broadway will start if he’s physically capableof playing football threeweeks after having surgery for a broken bonein his arm. Even if Broadway starts, many questions linger. Will he behimself, bothmentally and physically?Will he still be the threat to runthat hewas before the injury?How likelywould it be that he’d reinjureit and not make it through four quarters?

Thenextquestion is, if notBroadway, thenwhowouldstart?Noneofthe three backups played well at South Alabama, but Jalen Nixon didthe best at 4-of-9 for 94 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

2. Where’s the defense?

It’s amazing how good the Cajuns’ defense lookedafter the 23-7 road win over Arkansas State back onOct. 22. Twoweeks before, it had limited Texas Stateto196 total yards. AgainstWesternKentucky, it gaveupa lotof totalyardsbutwon thegamewithbigplayson defense, including a 99-yard interception returnby Al Riles and two memorable forced fumbles byJustin Anderson. Then against Arkansas State, thedefense limited ASU to 168 total yards. In the fivegames since then, UL has allowed an average of 431total yards a gamewith a high of 481and a lowof 363.

3. The kicking game

During their two NewOrleans Bowl wins, the Ca-juns’mostmemorableplaywasagame-winningfieldgoal by Brett Baer. One has to wonder howmuch thespecial teamswill be able to contribute inUL’s effortagainst Tulane this time around. Hunter Stover wasgiven the full kicking duties prior to the regular-sea-son finale against South Alabama. The problem isthat the Jaguars jumped out to a quick 30-0 lead and,besides some fine punting by Daniel Cadona, thekicking game quickly became irrelevant. In fact,Stoverwasn’t able to get any experience.He didn’t even get to attemptthe extra point after UL’s only touchdown.

4. Running game

At times this season, the running game has been dominant. AlonzoHarriswaspoundingpeople inside—especially in thoseroadwinsoverWestern Kentucky and Arkansas State — and freshman ElijahMcGuire was hitting big play after big play on the edge. In the loss atSouth Alabama, Harris had some nice big runs early and finishedwith62 yards on 15 carries. But with all the first-half points and yards thedefense has allowed since Oct. 22, it’s been difficult to run the ball likeUL is capable. Now there’s the question of McGuire’s shoulder.

5. Fans battle

For two years, people have been calling the Superdome the homeaway fromhome for the Cajuns.Well, technically, it’s the true home ofthe Tulane GreenWave for onemore game. It’s going to be interestingto see if there’s more red or green in the Superdome. It’s going to beinteresting to hear which one is going to be the loudest fan base.

Quarterback

Starter Terrance Broadway underwent surgery Dec. 2 afterbreaking a bone in the forearm on his throwing arm. If he can’tplay Saturday, either JalenNixon—who looked good late in a sea-son-ending loss to South Alabama — or usual backup BrooksHaack could start.

Running backs

With 60 yards on15 carries at SouthAlabama, starter AlonzoHar-ris needs 132 Saturday to hit the 1,000-yard plateau. Coach MarkHudspeth said backup Elijah McGuire (shoulder) “will be fine” for

the bowl. He’s now averaging 8.9 yards per carry,ahead of F.G. Mixon’s 1951 record of 7.7.

Receivers

Darryl Surgent (No. 10 with 1,640 yards) andJamal Robinson (No. 11 with 1,519) both rankamongUL’s top15 all-time receivers by yardage.With one catch for 11 yards at South Alabama,Robinson passed Harry Peoples (1,514). The ju-nior has at least one catch every game this sea-son. Senior reserveWRDevin Figaro, who has10catches, transferred to UL from Tulane.

Offensive line

None of UL’s OL regulars has missed a startthis season. Senior C Andre Huval and junior OGDaniel Quave both have 38 straight careerstarts.

Defensive line

Justin Hamilton has 8 tackles-for-loss, including ateam-leading 3 sacks. He’s also UL’s top-tackling DL.

Linebackers

Justin Anderson has a team-high 123 tackles, and DominiqueTovell, who has five or more tackles in eight of his last ninegames, is second with 64. Anderson is tied for 12th nationally intackles per game by average at 10.3 per game. Tovell has a team-high 12 tackles for a loss.

Defensive backs

CB Trevence Patt has a team-high 12 pass breakups. S SeanThomas is UL’s top tackler in the secondary with 60. No Cajun DBhas more than one interception this year.

Special teams

WR/KR/PR Darryl Surgent goes into bowl season 12th national-ly in kickoff yards per return at 27.2. K Hunter Stover is Louisi-ana’s top special-teams tackler with 11. P Daniel Cadona averaged48.0 yards on eight punts at South Alabama, including a long of 57.

Position Breakdown

Linebacker Justin Anderson.

Five Things to Watch

LOUISIANA’S RAGIN’ CAJUNS


He arrived with return skills he had to sell to former Ragin’ Cajun coach-es, with a voice begging to break out into song andwith a faith that’skept him grounded throughout his 3 1⁄2 years at UL.

Hewill exit harboring hopes of taking his game to the NFL and havingtouched those who remain behind.

Darryl Surgent will go out having left his mark, too— right after he goesinto UL’s NewOrleans Bowl game against Tulane on Saturday night as the Ca-juns’ No. 10 all-time receiver and their No. 1kickoff returnman.

Surgent finishes up steady four-yearcareer of production for Cajuns

By Tim [email protected]

See SURGENT, Page 13G


“Not only is he an outstandingplayer, but he is a guy of such highcharacter,” UL coachMark Hud-speth said. “He is a Christianyoung man who is a great influ-ence on this team.

“He has developed into a play-maker for us. Great ball skills.Great quickness. Then he has thetop speed that really gives him alot of advantages,” Hudspeth add-ed. “He’ll have a chance to play atthe next level. He’s getting a lot oflooks.”

■■■

Hemay not get drafted, but

Surgent does at least seem boundnext year for an NFL trainingcamp somewhere.

It’s what he wanted when hecame to UL from Alexandria Sen-ior High in 2010.

Fellow Cajuns starting receiverJames Butler recalls how whathas become a recurring topic ofconversation was something thetwo talked about shortly afterthey met on a recruiting trip toLafayette.

“Our ultimate goal was to get tothe next level,” said Butler, a red-shirt junior fromHahnville Highwho sat out one season because ofACL knee surgery.

“Now he realizes that he hasthe opportunity, he has that shot.He’s ready for it. He’s ready for anew challenge.”

Is he ever, UL receivers coachGeorgeMunoz suggests.

One game shy of four full sea-sons, Surgent heads into his third-straight New Orleans Bowl with98 career catches for 1,640 yardsand 14 touchdowns, including 29grabs for 398 yards and five TDsafter moving fromwideout to slotreceiver this season.

A three-year starter, he’s play-ing on a team that has won 26games and lost just 12 the lastthree years.

He’s brought back 129 kicks for2,744 yards, including a 97-yardtouchdown as a freshman againstthen-No. 22 Oklahoma State and a100-yarder this season at KansasState, and averages 21.3 yards perreturn.

He’s returned 51 punts for 453

yards, including an 87-yarder fora touchdown in UL’s 2011NewOrleans Bowl win over San DiegoState and a 67-yarder for a TD thisseason in a November win overTroy.

With a 2011 rushing touchdownat Middle Tennessee, he is one ofjust three active NCAA FBS play-ers with at least one career TDrunning, receiving, on a kick re-turn and on a punt return.

Surgent became UL’s all-timecareer kickoff-return leader in hisfinal game at Cajun Field, whenagainst ULMonroe he surpassedJoe Redding’s 1985-88 record of2,642, and he’s No. 2 in all-timeall-purpose yards, trailing onlyTyrell Fenroy.

Darryl Surgent plays in the UL game against Nicholls State on Sept. 14 at Cajun Field in Lafayette. UL won 70-7. LESLIE WESTBROOK, THE ADVERTISER

SurgentContinued from Page 12G



For someone who had to go to Cajun coacheswhen hewas a freshman, remind them that hewasa return man at Alexandria Senior and ask them ifhe could be the same at UL, it’s quite a resume.

“Surg is in a great place now and, I think, isready,” Munoz said. “He’s probably ready for thiscollege life to be over, and to get an opportunity,hopefully, at the next level.

“We think he’ll get that opportunity, because ofhis speed, his size (6-foot, 185 pounds) that he hasand what he’s done here.”

Surgent’s best on-field attributes, Hudspethsaid, are that he has “big hands,” is a “tough kid”and that he “plays banged up.”

But he has plenty off the field to brag about, too.

■■■

Butler and current Cajun linebacker BorisAnyama roomed together as freshman, and Sur-gent was their next-door neighbor in the dorm.

Butler remembers hearing Surgent loud andclear in the hallway one day.

“He just busted out a tune,”Butler said, “andwewere like, ‘Man, this dude can sing.’”

Before anyone knew it, as Butler recalls, thethree were playfully serenading girls on campus.

As if having a football jersey weren’t enough.Butler and Anyama were back vocals. Surgent

took the lead.“They would just look at me and shake their

head,” Surgent said.Shai’s “If IEverFall inLoveAgain”was thesong

UL wide receiver Darryl Surgent runs the ball in for a touchdown after a catch during a football gamebetween UL and NewMexico State on Nov. 2. LESLIE WESTBROOK, THE ADVERTISER


NO. 87 … BY THE NUMBERSA few fun facts about No. 87 UL receiver Darryl Surgent,heading into Saturday’s New Orleans Bowl:» UL’s all-time leader in kickoff-return yards (2,744) andkickoff returns (129)» No. 2 on UL’s career all-purpose yards list with 4,886,trailing only Tyrell Fenroy’s 5,231; No. 2 this season with1,129 (94.1 per game), trailing freshman running backElijah McGuire’s 1,150» No. 3 in all-time UL all-purpose yards by average at 101.8per game» No. 6 on UL’s list of all-time TD catches with 14; needsone to tie Javone Lawson for fifth» No. 6 on UL’s career punt-return yards leaders list with453; needs 14 for fifth place» No. 10 in career receiving yards with 1,640; can moveinto ninth place with 61 yards and into eighth with 103» Had three catches for 93 yards and returned a punt 87yards for a touchdown in UL’s 2011New Orleans Bowl winover San Diego State» Had 151 all-purpose yards, including one catch for 10yards and seven kick returns for 129 yards in UL’s 2012New Orleans Bowl win over East Carolina» One of just a handful of college players this season toscore a touchdown on both a kick return and a puntreturn



of choice back then.“In all honesty,weweren’t doing

anything,” Butler said. “It was ba-sically Surg on his own, and wewere just leading him on. … Hewould just steal the show away.

“We say now we broke up be-cause Surg took all the fans.”

It’s not just love songs, though,that are in Surgent’s wheelhouse.

He doesn’t make anyone cringeon their birthday and can belt out“The Star-Spangled Banner” too.

Fallingbackonhismusical rootsin the church, he also sang a stir-ring rendition of “Amazing Grace”during a water-baptism ceremonyfor teammates last season.

So whether it’s evidenced by adance step or two during a break inpractice,orepitomizedbythespiri-tuals that Butler said can be heardcoming out of his close friend’sheadphones prior to a game, it’s ap-parent Surgent been blessed notjust with on-field football skills.

“He’s quiet, but at times he canshow out,” said Butler, Surgent’susual roomie on the road. “Sing.Crack jokes. He’s just a cool, calm,collected guy. He’s a God-fearingman, and I love him like a brother.”

■■■

It isSurgent’s faith that seemstobe the primary source of his low-key, even-keeled demeanor.

Take the time earlier this seasonthat he was publicly declared UL’scareer kick-return leader, only tolearn that because of a record-keeper’s miscalculation he still ac-tually trailedReddingby107yards.

When itwas suggested he’d sim-ply have to break a couplemore re-turns and surpass the mark again,Surgent quietly laughed — thenwent out and did just that.

“He’s a calmspirit,”Munoz said.“He’s never a guy that’s emotional.His highs aren’t that high; his lowsaren’t that low. He’s pretty steady… and that’s been a joy to have inour (receivers’) room.

“When you’ve got a room withsome guys that are always jokes-ters and all that … the calmnessthat he brings and the leadershipjust from that standpoint is whatwe’re gonna miss a bunch.

“He’s human, obviously, andthingswill bother him— if he’s hada bad practice or had a bad game.

And you can tell a little bit,”Munozadded. “But he’s not gonna wear iton his sleeve.”

He will, however, discuss it —and how he manages that.

It is that veryhumanfactor, Sur-gent suggests, that prompts him toturn to his faith in the first place—whetherit iswhathappenedyester-day, what will happen today orwhat’s going to happen tomorrow.

“With everything,” said Sur-gent, an exercise science major, “Itry tomakesureIkeepa levelhead,keepahumble characteristic aboutmyself, and I just believe and havefaith in God just knowing thatwhatever he has planned for me iswhat it’s gonna be.

“I just try todoeverything to thebest of my ability, whether it’s inschool, whether it’s on the field,whether it’s music.”

The way Surgent sees things, itreally isn’t up to him if he plays inthe NFL one day, if his voice someday takes him places or if he ulti-mately falls back on his education.

Whatever ismeant tohappen, hetrusts, will happen.

“However long this football ca-reer is gonna go,” he said, “thenthat’s how long it’s gonna go.”

Never too high. Never too low.“I believe God has a plan for ev-

erybody,” Surgent said, “and theonly way that plan will happen is ifyou believe it and you live out yourlife as if it’s gonna happen, as if it’salready happened.

“So when things go rough anddon’t gomyway, I try not to letmy-self get down. Or if I do get down,because we’re all human, I just re-mind myself, ‘Hey, God has a plan.Everything happens for a reason.’”

■■■

One reason Surgent may have ashotatmakingit to theNFLlikefor-mer UL teammates LadariusGreen, Bill Bentley and MelvinWhite is how he carries himself.

Hudspeth thinks that. Butler,too.

“He is probably one of the best

I’ve seen in timemanagement,” theCajuns coach said. “He doesn’twasteaminuteofhis time.…He’savery solid, good student and just agood person. He’s just one of thebest ambassadors for our univer-sity that we can have.”

“He’s just determined. Surg isjust a determined person,” Butleradded. “He’s very focused.Very fo-cused. … He knows what he has todo, andhe justgoesoutanddoes it.”

Already on the Senior Bowlwatch list of NFL prospects, play-ing as a pro is something Surgentvery much wants to do.

He may not shout from the hill-top about it, but he does make thatas clear as those songs that used tobe heard in the hall.

“It would mean a lot,” Surgentsaid, “becausethat’ssomethingIal-ways saw myself being and doingas a little kid. And even now be-cause I felt like I was blessed withgiftsandtalents, andI’mjustgonnause those talentsas far it cangoandto do it for (God).”


UL honors senior wide receiver Darryl Surgent, center, with his parents, during its Senior Night at the Ragin’ Cajunsgame against UL Monroe on Nov. 30. LESLIE WESTBROOK, THE ADVERTISER


GAME1

Aug. 31, Fayetteville, Ark. Arkansas 34, UL 14

Overview: The Cajuns’ young and untested cornerbackshad a rough day, yielding three touchdown passes to Arkan-sas QB Brandon Allen. The rest of the damage was done bythe Arkansas running game with 292 rushing yards inhelping Arkansas outgain UL 522-274.

Top Player: Tight end Jacob Maxwell had six catches for 77yards and a touchdown as UL’s leading receiver.

Big play: Freshman running back Elijah McGuire was in-troduced to the Cajun fans with a 31-yard reception downto the Arkansas 2 to set up a Cajun touchdown to tie it at7-7.

GAME 2

Sept. 7, Manhattan, Kansas, Kansas State 48, UL 27

Overview: UL struggled in the first half with a 20-3 half-time deficit but was able to post 24 points in the second halfto create some momentum. In addition to giving up 454more yards, including 305 passing, the Wildcats also scoredon a kickoff return and an interception return.

Top Player: LB Justin Anderson had 13 solo tackles and 15total as one of the lone bright spots in the 0-2 start to theseason.

Big Play: Darryl Surgent returned a kickoff for a school-record 100-yard touchdown in the third quarter.

GAME 3

Sept. 14, Cajun Field, UL 70, Nicholls St. 7

Overview: The Cajuns took out their frustration on NichollsState, rolling up 28 first downs and 620 total yards behind456 on the ground for a school-record 70 points. The Cajunsenjoyed on so many big plays, Nicholls actually won thetime of possession battle 30:37 to 29:23.

Top Player: Tough in a game like this, but Elijah McGuirehad 137 yards and three touchdowns on nine carries.

Big Play: It started with an Alonzo Harris 65-yard TD run onthe game’s third play, but Justin Anderson returned aninterception 58 yards for a touchdown to take the cake.

GAME 4

Sept. 21, Akron, Ohio, UL 35, Akron 30

Overview: The Cajuns’ first road win of the season endedup with UL narrowly winning the total yards battle 460-455.Both teams had over 20 first downs, both teams threw forover 300 yards and both teams rushed for over 130 yards.

Top Player: QB Terrance Broadway had arguably his bestgame of the season, completing 25 of 37 passes for 305yards and three touchdowns.

Big Play: Leading 28-24 in the seesaw battle, UL coachMark Hudspeth elected to try an onside kick that providedthe Cajuns a crucial extra possession in the win.

GAME 5

Oct. 5, Cajun Field, UL 48, Texas State 24

Overview: The passing game had another huge night inrolling up 360 yards in the air to help UL outgain Texas State572-196 in a game that wasn’t as close as the score in-dicated. Texas State scored on two kickoff returns.

Top Player: QB Terrance Broadway again was the centralfigure, connecting on 18 of 23 passes for 335 yards and fourtouchdowns.

Big Play:WR Darryl Surgent caught a 44-yard touchdownpass in the second period to really get the rout under way.

GAME 6

Oct. 15, Bowling Green, Ky., UL 37, Western Kentucky 20

Overview: The Cajuns’ defense delivered in a big way withcrucial forced turnovers to help the Cajuns overcome anearly 10-0 deficit. UL only passed for 90 yards in the game,but the Cajuns rushed for 254.

Top Player: It was LB Justin Anderson again with 16 totaltackles (11 solos) and two crucial forced fumbles.

Big Play: Al Riles turned what could have been a disasterinto a huge about-face when he returned an interceptionon a fourth-down play 99 yards for a touchdown with WKUup 10-0 at the time.

2013: THE YEAR IN REVIEW

In this Aug. 31 game, Arkansas won 34 to UL’s 14.BETH HALL, USA TODAY SPORTS

The Sept. 14 game against Nicholls was UL’s firstwin of the season. LESLIE WESTBROOK, THE ADVERTISER

UL beat Texas State 48-24 Oct. 5. LESLIE WESTBROOK,

THE ADVERTISER

The Sept. 7 game against Kansas State ended in aloss for UL, 48-27. SCOTT SEWELL, USA TODAY SPORTS

UL’s game against Akron was Terrance Broadway’sbest game of the season. BETH HALL, USA TODAY SPORTS

UL continued its winning streak 37-20 againstWestern Kentucky. JIM BROWN, USA TODAY SPORTS


GAME 7

Oct. 22, Jonesboro, Ark., UL 23, Arkansas State 7

Overview: In the game that would decide control of theSun Belt race, the Cajuns dominated Arkansas State onnational TV with a physical rushing attack and a dominatingdefensive performance. UL had 26 first downs to ASU’s 10and 42:18 time of possession to 17:42.

Top Player: Really it was the offensive line, but RB AlonzoHarris will get the credit here with 29 carries for 105 yardsand two touchdowns.

Big Play: Freshman Elijah McGuire busted loose on a 70-yard run that set up a Harris 3-yard TD run for a 17-0 leadearly in the second period.

GAME 8

Nov. 2, Cajun Field, UL 49, N. Mexico St. 35

Overview: The winless Aggies jumped out to a 28-7 lead.The Cajuns responded with 209 rushing yards to claim thewin, but the game marked the first of four iffy defensiveperformances after a strong effort at Arkansas State.

Top Player: RB Alonzo Harris was officially on a roll by thisgame, and he encored it with 16 carries for 106 yards andfive touchdowns to tie a school record.

Big Play: UL counterpunched early from the Aggies’ imme-diate flurry with a 68-yard touchdown pass to Darryl Sur-gent to cut the lead to 14-7 at the time.

GAME 9

Nov. 7, Cajun Field, UL 41, Troy 36

Overview: The Cajuns threatened to put Troy away butnever really did. The Trojans ended up with 27 first downsand 469 total yards, but their comeback try fell short. ULleaned on its running game again with 193 rushing yards.

Top Player: Elijah McGuire had seven carries for 82 yardsand a touchdown and also caught a 60-yard touchdownpass to help provide just enough big plays for UL to out-score Troy.

Big Play: Darryl Surgent had a 67-yard punt return for ascore and Elijah McGuire had two touchdowns, but Tre-vence Patt delivered the pass defense on a fourth-and-goalfrom the 4 with just over two minutes to play that wouldhave given Troy the lead.

GAME10

Nov. 16, Atlanta, Ga., UL 35, Georgia State 21

Overview: This one could have been scarier, but GeorgiaState had a big interception and a crucial fumble to allowthe Cajuns to hold off.

Top Player: Elijah McGuire continued to shine with 11carries for 107 yards rushing and three receptions for 125yards and two other scores to become the first player inschool history to catch and run for over 100 yards in thesame game.

Big Play:McGuire got credit for a receiving touchdown for80 yards to give the Cajuns a quick 7-0 lead.

GAME11

Nov. 30, Cajun Field, ULM 31, UL 28

Overview: The eight-game winning streak came to afrustrating end against state rival ULM in the home finale inthe first of two chances to wrap up the program’s firstoutright conference championship in 43 years. The offensethrew two interceptions in the end zone and UL was mi-nus-3 overall in turnover ratio, while giving up 247 yards toKolton Browning.

Top Player: Elijah McGuire had 119 yards rushing and atouchdown and also caught five passes for 29 yards.

Big Play: Terrance Broadway hit Darryl Surgent on a 24-yard touchdown pass midway through the second periodfor a 21-14 lead over ULM.

GAME12

Dec. 7, Mobile, Ala., South Alabama 30, UL 8

Overview: It was quite possibly the worst game of theMark Hudspeth era at UL. One week after being minus-three in the loss to ULM, the Cajuns had four more turn-overs in this one. Two early fumbles led to a quick 17-0Jaguars’ lead and there was no come back in UL without itsstarting quarterback.

Top Player: Punter Daniel Cadona averaged 48 yards a puntas the lone bright spot.

Big play: UL’s only touchdown was a 47-yard pass fromJalen Nixon to Ricky Johnson.

2013: THE YEAR IN REVIEW

UL defeated Arkansas State 23-7 Oct. 22. TAMI WYNN,

THE SUN

Elijah McGuire was the top player in UL’s winagainst Troy, 41-36. LESLIE WESTBROOK, THE ADVERTISER

UL’s eight-game winning streak ended with a lossto UL Monroe, 31-28. LESLIE WESTBROOK, THE ADVERTISER

In this Nov. 2 game, UL overcame NewMexicoState, 49-35. LESLIE WESTBROOK, THE ADVERTISER

UL conquered Georgia State 35-21 Nov. 16. AP South Alabama crushed UL 30-8 Dec. 7. AP

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It was shortly after he left the UL football team’s 2011season banquet, in April 2012, that Nick Barnfield met aman with whom he had never before crossed paths.

Theywereoutsideof aCircleKgas stationonLouisi-anaAvenue.Before long, and after brieflymentioningthe awards dinner, Barnfield found himself guidingthe stranger in prayer.

“He said he wasn’t sure if he had received salva-tion, and if hewas gonna be going to heaven or not,”Barnfield said. “So I prayedwith him, and I led himthrough the prayer of salvation.

“He told me afterward … ‘I know you may seeyour future asbeing involved in sports, but I knowthat your future is in ministry, and you’re gonnahelp people and you’re gonna encourage peoplethrough that.’”

Maybe it’s both.Either way, the gentleman was oh-so-right.“Ever since he said those words,” Barnfield

said, “it changed my life.”When the former reserve linebacker and spe-

cial-teams contributor from Destrehan High re-turns home for UL’s New Orleans Bowl meetingwith Tulane on Saturday night in the Superdome,Barnfield will do so as a student-assistant coach andas the Ragin’ Cajuns’ assistant team chaplain.

Tears last season to the posterior cruciate ligament(PCL) inbothhisrightandleftkneesputhimonthepath.But it was only after great pain and much anguish thatBarnfield understood why he should follow it.

Cajuns head coach Mark Hudspeth, for one, isFormer UL football player Nick Barnfieldwatches a play during a team practice inLafayette on Dec. 3. PAUL KIEU, THE ADVERTISER

CHAPLAIN OFDEFENSEAfter injury ends playing career, Barnfieldchooses unique path to help Cajuns

See BARNFIELD, 20G



happy he did.“Nick Barnfield has done more for me than I’ll

ever be able to do for him,” Hudspeth said. “He is aninspirational leader for this team, and, to be honestwithyou,he’smadeadifferenceinmylife, inmyspir-itual life.

“It’s amazing. I thinkGod sendspeople in your lifefor a reason. He (Barnfield) was sent to the univer-sityandto this football teamforareason.Andhe’snotonly changed my life, but a lot of kids on this team.”

■■■

Barnfield, winner of the program’s defensiveScout Team Player of the Year award after last sea-son, tore the PCL in his left knee on the Thursday be-fore UL’s 2012 season-opening win over Lamar.

It was a devastating blow for someone who didn’tstart at Destrehan until he did so for a14-0 LouisianaClass 5A state-title team. Someonewho redshirted asa freshman walk-on at UL. Someone who played inonly four games on special teams in 2010 and in onlytwo for a new coaching staff in 2011. Someone whofinally had earned a scholarship in 2012.

But Barnfield played on the torn ligament and

managed to appear in six games in special teams, in-cluding one in November at nationally ranked Flori-da inwhich he recorded his only tackle of the season.

Then it happened again, during a practice oneweek before UL’s New Orleans Bowl win over EastCarolina. The same ligament tore, only this time inhis right knee.

After theseason,Hudspethfelt thatbecauseof theseverity of the situation andhow long itwould take torecover from surgeries that Barnfield could betterserve the team in both a spiritual and student-coach-ing capacity.

“When I first heard the news,” Barnfield said,“that was probably the hardest thing I’ve ever heard— just because, coming out of high school, I put somuch into gettinghere andwalking on andgetting onthe team, getting on the field and earning a scholar-ship.

“Itwas like everythingwas building up to thismo-ment. My senior season, I really thought there wasendless possibilities to what I’d able to do.

“And with the injuries, it shocked me,” he added.“But after praying about it, I knew. … I felt like thatwas what God was asking me to do.”

■■■

Troy Wingerter, UL’s director of football

Braxton Derouen, 5, speaks to football players Brady Thomas and Nick Barnfield, and volleyball player Blair Claypoole. PAUL KIEU, THE ADVERTISER

KEEPING CLOSEFour recent Cajun players and onesignee have kept close ties assisting theprogram this season:» Nick Barnfield assists with linebackersand as assistant team chaplain. Theformer walk-on, reserve linebacker andspecial-teams contributor’s career endeda year short due to multiple knee-ligament tears.» Dominick Bilich assists with the offen-sive line. The scholarship signee’s careerwas cut short by a foot issue before heever played a game for the Cajuns.» Javone Lawson assists with receivers.He signed with the Arizona Cardinals asa undrafted rookie free agent earlierthis year, then tore his Achilles tendon.» Aaron Thibodeaux assists in thestrength room. A concussion and backinjury sustained in a game two seasonsago activated dormant MRSA, a life-threatening strain of staph bacteria thatended the defensive lineman’s career.» Brady Thomas assists with quarter-backs. The reserve QB and kicker BrettBaer’s regular holder finished his ULcareer in 2012.

BarnfieldContinued from Page 19G

See BARNFIELD, Page 21G


operations and an ex-Cajun playerand assistant coach, had a long talkwith Barnfield.

Barnfield recalls his words as ifthey were spoken just a play ago.

“‘You can work hard and maybegeta fewgoodsnaps in foryour lastseason,’” he remembersWingertersaying, “‘or you can make this sac-rifice and have amajor impact on alot of these guys’ lives.’

“Whenhesaid that, it justkindofmade sense,” Barnfield added. “Irealized the ability just to kind ofencourage these guys and coachthem and be kind of a big brotherbut also somebody who is able toteach them and help them grow asmen— thatwas really important tome.”

Still, it wasn’t an easy call tomake or accept.

Tight end Ian Thompson, whocame toULas a freshman the sameseason as Barnfield, knows hisfriend struggled coming to termswith the fact his playing careerhadended.

“He kind of thought he didn’tknow what he wanted to do, but heknew he still wanted to be involvedwith the team,” Thompson said. “Itwas a tough decision for him for awhile, and he didn’t know what hewas gonna do.”

It didn’t help that Barnfield con-vinced himself he could returnmuch sooner than conventionalwisdom suggested was reasonableto expect.

“He’s always overcome any lim-itations he might be considered tohave had athletically,” Wingertersaid. “Because of that,whenyou in-vest so much, it’s hard to believeyou can’t recover from something.

“Whenyou’re aguywho’s gottenwhere he is on so much hard workand so much effort, it’s hard foranybody to see, ‘Well, you reallycan’t recover from these types ofknee injuries.’

“While they weren’t completelydevastating, the probability of himrecovering — and the amount oftime that was required for recov-ery and still being able to contrib-ute like he had in the past — wasnegligible,” Wingerter added. “Hemight have been able to come backand play the last game or two, butwhat we saw immediately waswhat a greater role he would play.”

■■■

A couple of days before Barn-field and Wingerter spoke, Barn-field coincidentally had a conver-sation with Eric Treuil.

Pastor of UL’s Chi Alpha Chris-tian student organization, Treuilalso serves as the Cajun footballteam’s chaplain.

He knew just how much Barn-field wanted to beat the odds andreturn sooner than anyone thoughthe could.

“Hewas kind of salivating at thethought of being able to get backand play,” Treuil said.

While mulling his discussionwith Wingerter, though, Barnfieldalso reflected on his chat withTreuil.

It was then that Barnfield hadtold the team chaplain he could see

himself some day serving in thesame capacity.

“So when all that happened, I’mtellingyou, it justmadesense,”saidBarnfield, one of five recent Cajunplayers or signees working as stu-dent assistants in 2013. “Getting towork with these guys has been thegreatest experience.

■■■

Deep down, Barnfield — whoworships at Our Savior’s Church inLafayette—wishes he had been onthe field until the end.

He wanted to walk out withteammatesonSeniorNight late lastmonth against UL Monroe, wantedto play during the 8-4 Cajuns’ re-cent eight-game win streak, want-ed to make his final appearance atthe Superdome in the NewOrleansBowl.

“It’s very bittersweet,” he said,“not being able to play my lastgame here.”

But some things just are notmeant to be.

“He wanted to finish out therightwaywithhisseniorclass,withhis guys and didn’t want to give itup that easy,” Hudspeth said.“(But) to be honest, he’s made amuch bigger impact now doingwhat he’s doing than if he wouldhave played.

“Hewouldhave ratherhad it theother way around, but he has had ahuge impact.”

Barnfieldrealizesnowthatwhathe’s doing really is for the greatergood.

He’s gotten to preach at chapel.He often leads post-practice

After multiple knee-ligament tears ended his career early, Nick Barnfield, former Cajuns walk-on, reserve linebacker andspecial-teams contributor, assists with linebackers and as assistant team chaplain. PAUL KIEU, THE ADVERTISER


See BARNFIELD, Page 22G


prayer. Heministers to both coaches, includingHud-speth, and players alike.

“The focus is not on me; the focus is on them,” hesaid. “I’m able to do what I love, which is football.Football’s my passion. But ministry is my calling.That’s definitely where I see myself doing at thispoint.

“People askme, and I say, ‘I’mdoingwhat I alwaysthought I’d be doing; I’m just doing it a little soonerthan I thought I’d be.’”

■■■

Doing it so soon after suitinguphimself iswin-winfor Barnfield and the Cajuns alike.

For UL players, he’s a bridge to full-time coaches.“That is key,” tight end Thompson said. “It’s like a

buffer system. He knows when morale’s good, whenweneed to lay off a little bit.Heknowswhat the pulseof the team is, but at the same time, he understandswhere we’re coming from.”

That goes for football and faith.“From the players’ perspective,” Treuil said,

“there’s a lot of respect for Nick.“Because it’s one thing for an old guy to tell them

howto live their life and to challenge themspirituallyversus someone their own age, a peer, who is saying,‘Hey, I’ve got the same struggles, I’ve got the samething going on, but I’vemade these choices.’ It comeswith a lot of more credibility.”

ForBarnfield, thedecisionand theseasonhavede-liveredasatisfyingtasteofwhathethinkshewants todo full time.

Athletics-based ministry can be a vocational call-ing fromtheamateur to thepro levels, andTreuil saidmost NCAA football teams have their own chaplains.Someprogramsevenhave character coacheswho fo-cus on both football and moral foundation.

“It was almost as if it breathed new life into him,”said Treuil, who is more than happy to tag-teamwithhis new partner.

But the last few months also have helped easeBarnfield’s move from the field.

He’s been able to maintain relationships and stayconnected to the camaraderie, yet he’s also startedstepping toward his future.

“That was the only way it was doable for him,”Wingerter said. “It would have been a really hardtransition togo cold turkey, for lackof abetter term.”

FromTreuil’s seat, though, themovehas been longin the making.

He recalls when Barnfield was water-baptizedwith teammates and other UL athletes in a campusswimming pool a couple of years ago.

“At thatpointhereallybeganto take the trajectoryof being a spiritual leader, as a player,” Treuil said.“Andwhen the injuries came, it reallywas a decidingmoment for him—which direction he was gonna go.In his gut, he really wanted to continue to play.

“(But) as he starting thinking of the grand schemeof things, (he realized) you’re gonna have an opportu-nity to impact guys from an eternal perspective ver-sus one season, and I think he really began to see thatas a gift and as a calling.”

Former UL football player Nick Barnfield watches aplay during practice. PAUL KIEU, THE ADVERTISER



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2013 SCHEDULE

Aug. 29, Jackson St.,W, 34-7Sept. 7, S. Alabama, L, 41-39Sept. 12, at La. Tech,W, 24-15Sept. 21, at Syracuse, L, 52-17Sept. 28, at ULM,W, 31-14Oct. 5, North Texas,W, 24-21Oct. 12, E. Carolina,W, 36-33Oct. 26, Tulsa,W, 14-7Nov. 2, at Fla. Atlantic, L, 34-17Nov. 9, at UTSA, L, 10-7Nov. 23, UTEP,W, 45-3Nov. 30, at Rice, L, 17-13

PASSING

Com Att Int Yds TDsNick Montana 153 288 9 1654 14Devin Powell 50 89 4 458 5Jordy Joseph 1 1 0 1 0

RUSHING

Att Yds TDsOrleans Darkwa 172 780 9Rob Kelley 97 422 3Josh Rounds 48 158 0Dante Butler 21 139 0Lazedrick Thompson 22 68 0Devin Boutte 3 30 0Kedrick Banks 1 6 0Nick Montana 44 0 0Jordy Joseph 1 -3 0Devin Powell 14 -27 0

RECEIVING

Rec Yds TDsRyan Grant 70 926 9Justyn Shackleford 34 356 5Xavier Rush 17 196 1Rob Kelley 17 148 1Kedrick Banks 17 99 0Josh Rounds 12 65 0Sydie London 12 58 0Orleans Darkwa 8 57 0Dante Butler 7 71 0Devon Breaux 5 59 2Matt Marfisi 3 43 0Lazedrick Thompson 1 31 0Marc Edwards 1 4 1

FIELD GOALS

FG XP LongCairo Santos 16-22 35-35 56

PUNTING

Att Avg LongPeter Picerelli 73 40.8 53

DEFENSIVE LEADERS

Solos Assist TacklesSam Scofield 66 28 94Darion Monroe 52 31 83Nico Marley 31 28 59Zach Davis 22 31 53Derrick Strozier 29 21 50Jordan Batiste 29 20 49Domini Robertson 30 14 44Jordan Sullen 33 11 44Julius Warmsley 27 15 42Lorenzo Doss 23 9 32Tyler Gilbert 12 17 29Royce LaFrance 18 8 26Jarrod Franklin 14 9 23Andre Robinson 9 14 23Chris Davenport 8 10 18

INTERCEPTIONS

Lorenzo Doss 7, Derrick Strozier 2, Jordan Sullen 2, DarionMonroe 1, Nick Marley 1, Jordan Batiste 1, Dominick Rob-ertson 1, Jarrod Franklin 1, Kyle Davis 1.

SACKS

Royce LaFrance 6.5, Jordan Batiste 5, Darion Monroe 3.5,Zach Davis 3.5, Tyler Gilbert 3, Nico Marley 2, Sam Scofield1.5, Chris Davenport1.5, Dominick Robertson1, Jarrod Frank-lin 1, Andre Robinson 1, Kyle Davis 0.5.

Tulane’s Nick Montana throws against UTSA during an NCAA college football game at the Alamodome on Nov. 9 in SanAntonio, Texas. AP

2013STATS

| TULANE GREEN WAVE


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1. Familiar faces

Like several teams around the state, the Tulane GreenWave rosterhas its fair share of players from Acadiana area high schools. In Tu-lane’s case, it’s primarily a pipeline from St. ThomasMore. Led by ju-nior safety Sam Scofield, who has earned numerous conference, stateand national honors on the field and in the classroom for Tulane, theCougars contingent also includes linebackers David Laborde andBrandon Schmidt, as well as safety CameronDeJean. The other groupof local performers is the New Iberia connection, including the Catho-lic High duo of wide receiver Devin Boutte and quarterback-turned-linebacker Taylor Bullock, as well as former New Iberia quarterbackJordy Joseph.

2. Good kicking game

The kicking game has been a big part ofUL’s successin its two-year run in the New Orleans Bowl, but on pa-per, it’s the GreenWave that may have the edge. Tulaneplacekicker Cairo Santos has been a distinguished per-formerbyconnectingon16of 22attemptson fieldgoals,nailing all 35 of his extra points and producing 44 touch-backs out of 58 kickoffs. Punter Peter Picerelli isn’t asaccomplished but is certainly solid with a 40.8-yard av-erage, 21 punts inside the 20 and 19 fair catches.

3. Strong in secondary

If there’soneareaofstrength for theGreenWave, it’sthe secondary. A trio of sophomores — Lorenzo Doss,Jordan Batiste and Darion Monroe — who learned thehard way last season are now enjoying the success oftheir hard labor. Doss ended the regular season as theconference co-leader in interceptions with seven. Batiste andMonroehave each added an interception as well. Then there’s Scofield as theteam’s leading tacklerwith94stops, including9.5 stopsbehind the line.

4. Contrasting styles

The Cajuns have ridden a much more high-scoring approach thisseason.While theCajunsenteredthefinalregularseasongameaverag-ing37pointsagame,Tulaneaveraged25.1points this season,whilegiv-ingup21.2.Further illustratinghowtheGreenWavehashad tomanagetheir way to a 7-5 winning season, Tulane was outgained 4,231 to 3,650this season in total yards, gave upmore first downs in 233 than the of-fense got in 202 and had to overcome 82 penalties for 736 yards. Also,Tulane punted 76 times during the regular season, while UL only punt-ed 38 times through its first 11 games.

5. Clear-cut weapons

Tulane is a defensive team that gets help from the kicking game towin games. On offense, there’s not as much balance. For instance, Or-leansDarkwa is theunit’s leading rusherwith172 carries for 780yardsand nine touchdowns. To get to the second-leading rusher, you have togo down to 97 carries with Rob Kelley for 422 yards and three scores.It’s a similar situation at wide receiver where RyanGrant is easily thetop target at 70 catches for 926yards andnine touchdowns.Belowhim,Justyn Shackleford has 34 receptions for 356 yards and five scores.

Quarterback

A familiar enemy name will be returning in starter quarterbackNickMontana, the son of former 49er quarterback JoeMontana.Mon-tana’s sonhas thrown for1,654yardsbut has thrownnine interceptionsto go along with 14 touchdowns. When he missed two games to injury,DevinPowellcamethroughwithtwowins inrelief.He’scompleted56.2percentofhispassesfor458yardswithfiveTDsandfour interceptionsin his relief appearances.

Running backs

Orleans Darkwa is the No. 1 threat for the Green Wave with 780yards rushing at 4.5 yards a pop andnine touchdowns.He’s also caught

eight passes for 57yards.TheNo. 2 option isRobKelleywith 422 yards and three scores on 97 carries.

Wide receivers

Ryan Grant is the most dominant force on Tulane’soffensewith70 receptions for 926yardsandnine touch-downs. Thenext leading receiver is JustynShacklefordwith 34 catches.

Offensive line

Senior center Zach Morgan is second on the team incareer starts with 38, while senior right guard RioMares is the next most experienced on the line with 21starts.

Defensive line

Tulane is strong upfront defensively. DT JuliusWarmsley leads thewaywith15.5 stops behind the line, while Royce LaFrance is a weaponoff theedgewith10 tacklesbehind the line.Themiddle is cloggedupby334-pound LSU transfer Chris Davenport.

Linebackers

Nick Marley and Zach Davis man the middle for the Green Wavewith a lot of help from the secondary. Marley is third on the team intackleswith59, followedbyDaviswith53.Bothhaveeightstopsbehindthe line.

Defensive backs

This is the strength of the team.SamScofield leads the team in tack-les with 94 at safety, while cornerback Lorenzo Doss is among the na-tion’s leaders in interceptionswith seven. JordanSullen is the lone sen-ior in thebunchwithother talentedsophomoresJordanBatisteandDa-rionMonroearoundhim.Monroe is secondon the teamwith83 tackles.

Kicking game

Kicker Cairo Santos is one of the best in the nation, missing just sixof his 22 attempts on fieldgoalswith a longof 56. PunterPeterPicerelliis solid with a 40.8-yard average and 21 punts inside the five with justfive touchbacks.

Position BreakdownFive Things to Watch

Louisiana Tech's Jon Greenwalt(80) dodges Tulane defenders.


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