Louisiana Coach Salutes The Other Team

BOBBY ARDOIN

Editor/Consulting Writer

It would have been considered appropriate if Louisiana head coach Mike Desormeaux had first chosen to sufficiently praise the resilient performance just displayed by his football team on Saturday night.

After all, his program is now 5-1 and just moments before, his players held off Appalachian State at Cajun Field to win 34-24 and capture a third consecutive victory that keeps Louisiana undefeated in the Sun Belt Conference.

Saving the team compliments for later, Desormeaux stood at the postgame podium and in an emotional voice, prefaced his usual remarks with a tribute to the guys in the other locker room, after they traveled several thousands miles to play a football game after confronting hardships inflicted weeks ago by Hurricane Helene.

Since Helene, the Mountaineers have had a game canceled against Liberty University and last week lost at Marshall after not playing in 16 days.

Located in Boone, N.C., Appalachian State, like other areas perched high at the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountain chain, experienced severe hurricane flooding and damage, an event that destroyed residences and businesses while closing the university in late September.

App State, preseason picked to win the Eastern Division of the Sun Belt Conference, is 2-4 and 0-3 in league games.

Despite their difficulties, the Mountaineers brought their game to Lafayette.

Louisiana lost a three-point lead early in the fourth quarter, but the Cajuns used a fumble recovery and a pair of interceptions to eventually pull away.

As someone who has seen his share of football adversity, Desormeaux was appreciative of how those with the App State program have handled themselves.

“You have to respect and appreciate what (App State) has gone through, with all the tragedy they have had. For them to experience that and then come out and play a complete game the way that they did, really captures what they are about along with the respect that I have for their head coach (Shawn Clark) and his coaches,” Desormeaux said.

Desormeaux acknowledged the mentality that the Mountaineers have apparently adopted for the remainder of the season.

“Right now it’s like what happened for many of us during Katrina. They (App State) are playing for themselves right now. And I’m hoping that something good is going to happen for them. I couldn’t have more respect right now for the players on that team,” Desormeaux said.

Describing The Essence

Desormeaux didn’t paint the win in aesthetic terms.

“We knew that it was going to be a tight game and it wasn’t the prettiest or the cleanest we have played,” Desormeaux said.

Receiving special praise from Desormeaux was the Cajuns’ defense, which intercepted App State quarterback Joey Aguilar four times, including twice during the fourth quarter when Louisiana used two picks and a fumble recovery to create the final pivot.

“I thought (the defense) played physical and knocked them back. That gave us some short fields,” Desormeaux added.

Desormeaux noted that during his previous seasons at Louisiana, the Cajuns often experienced difficulties leading early and then failing to close out prospective wins.

That hasn’t been the case yet this year, Desormeaux noted.

“This year it’s been different. We’re finding ways to win,” said Desormeaux.

Desormeaux attributed the different direction to team maturity and a number of players that chose to return and play another season.

Looking Ahead

Louisiana plays twice on the road during a 10-day stretch, beginning with a game next Saturday at Coastal Carolina.

Then on Oct. 29, the Cajuns go to Texas State in a key Western Division contest.