Blue Raiders look to tame Ragin’ Cajuns - via www.mtsusidelines.com

(from http://www.mtsusidelines.com/sports/blue-raiders-look-to-tame-ragin-cajuns-1.896801)
Blue Raiders look to tame Ragin’ Cajuns

By Stephen Curley
Updated: Thursday, November 12, 2009

The Blue Raiders look to extend a three-game winning streak Saturday at 3:15 p.m. as the Ragin’ Cajuns of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette visit Floyd Stadium.

MT will look to its rejuvenated rushing attack against a ULL defense giving up 162.7 yards per game.

Sophomore running back D.D. Kyles is coming off back-to-back 100-yard games against Florida Atlantic University and Florida International University, and has helped fill the void left by the absence of Phillip Tanner.

Junior quarterback Dwight Dasher is also coming off consecutive weeks where he rushed for 130 and 178 yards, respectively.

“It is a direct reflection on our offensive line,” head coach Rick Stockstill said. “They have played their three best games of the season. D.D. has run better because he has had more opportunities. He has improved setting up his blocks and reacting to the defense. Dwight has had some dynamic runs as well.”

Dasher looked shaky in the third quarter of an otherwise good performance last week against FIU, throwing three interceptions on MT’s first four possessions.

“There is 70 to 85 plays in a game and he made three poor decisions,” Stockstill said. “There are highs and lows. Everything is not going to be 30 to 40 points per half. How you respond to adversity is what is important.”

The Ragin’ Cajuns have given up 229 yards per game through the air, so opportunities to make plays will be there for Dasher. Mistakes will be costly, however, as ULL has intercepted the opposing quarterback 13 times this season. Gerren Blount, Maurice Rolle and Dwight Bentley led the team with three interceptions each.

ULL’s primary offensive playmaker is quarterback Chris Masson, an efficient signal-caller who has thrown for eight touchdowns and rushed for five more in his nine starts this season.

“He is a good player, Stockstill said. “He has done a great job of leading their offense. He is a tough, competitive guy who understands what they want to do and has led them to some good wins this season.”

With running back Undrea Sails out for the season with a fractured leg, the Ragin’ Cajuns will turn to a large group of less experienced backs. The most productive of the group, Brad McGuire, has averaged 5.1 yards per carry and ran for four touchdowns.

“They’re still a great running team,” senior defensive tackle Brandon Perry said. “They’re a different team this year too. Running the ball is one of their main goals and something they always want to do. It will be a very tough game this week.”

The Blue Raiders are still in the mix for the Sun Belt Conference Championship, trailing Troy University by just one game, with the Trojans traveling to Fayetteville, Ark. to take on the University of Arkansas.

"We have no control over what happens with Troy,” Stockstill said. We have a chance, but we need help. The only thing we can control is how we play against Louisiana-Lafayette.”

The game will include the Salute to Armed Services/Veterans, with the Blue Raiders wearing a helmet sticker with the Tennessee-based 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment. The team will wear the insignia until the regiment leaves Iraq, expected to be in January 2011.

“We just want to show respect for the men and women who are protecting our country,” Stockstill said. “This is a way to honor the entire mid-state and I hope everyone comes out Saturday to show their support."