Headline: Cajuns’ Standouts Creating New Scripts
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Contributing Writer
While the remarkable story of Ben Woolridge continues to be written, the career script for Harvey Broussard remains an encouraging work in progress.
The two Louisiana offensive standouts added to their separate but enlightening collegiate narratives Saturday night with complementary performances during a season-opening 40-10 victory over Grambling State.
It was a productive passing night for Woolridge, whose detoured journey through program transfers, a pair of serious injuries the past two seasons, numerous surgeries, starting quarterback competition and rehabs, haven’t prevented the 216-pound redshirt senior from performing as though his previous issues were just minor speed bumps.
Wooldridge, who started and played only three games as the 2023 starter, passed for three touchdowns and 308 yards against Grambling before a near Cajun Field sellout crowd of 23,107.
The passing yardage for Wooldridge against Grambling accounted for more than half of his 543 yards from last year.
Broussard, a slender 6-foot-3, 185-pound wide receiver from St. Martinville, caught four passes for 76 yards and cradled a 13-yard touchdown end zone back shoulder end zone throw from Wooldridge that gave Louisiana a two-touchdown advantage with 13 minus and 30 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
Cajuns’ head football coach Mike Desormeaux isn’t surprised that Wooldrige, who transferred to Louisiana almost four years ago, has displayed a resiliency that might otherwise be considered unimaginable.
“No one should really be that surprised. He’s worked hard because he’s wanted to get back to his team. Ben is just a great player who knows our offense. He is going to be the guy that makes other players around him better,” Desormeaux said.
“To see Ben react the way he has and come back is really a cool thing,” Desormeaux said.
Broussard and Wooldrige connected on a 50-yard completion on the Cajuns’ first snap.
Grambling matched a cornerback in man coverage with no safety help and Broussard said he and Wooldridge took advantage of the situation to make a statement.
“We sort of had it all planned. We wanted a big play to start out and we didn’t think (Grambling) would be ready for it. I was ready to be at that moment,” Broussard said.
Broussard indicated the ongoing physical struggles that Wooldridge has endured with Louisiana have nonetheless been inspirational.
“He did a lot of work to get back during the offseason and seeing him grinding with that the way he did, he’s played a big role for us,” Broussard said.
Broussard was highly-recruited at St. Martinville, but he said before his signing that he wanted to play for the Cajuns.
Last season as a freshman, Broussard caught 24 passes for 317 yards and two TD’s.
Desormeaux said Broussard is a player with a tremendous upside.
“Harvey is that guy. He loves the game and being that deep threat. He has that great length and great hands. We think Harvey has a chance to be really something special. He had a great night,” Desormeaux added.
