Offense Looks To Build On Momentum

Thursday, July 29, 2004

LAFAYETTE - Offensive coordinator Rob Christophel is looking toward continuing to build on offensive balance. The numbers indicate the team is making strides in all aspects, especially during Sun Belt play.

The Ragin’ Cajuns went from last in the Sun Belt in scoring offense in 2002 (19.5 points per game, 15 TD), to second in 2003 (32.1 ppg, 28 TD). The Cajuns finished first in red zone offense with an eye-popping 96.6 percent success rate in SBC games. The Cajuns converted 28-of-29 opportunities in the red zone, including 20 touchdowns against ‘Belt foes.

The offense starts with the quarterback, where the Cajuns look to further develop athletic sophomore Jerry Babb. Junior College transfer Luke Sniewski is more of a pocket passer, but his intelligence and strong arm will challenge Babb throughout the season.

After struggling early during his freshman campaign, Babb led the Cajuns to four victories over the final five games. In four wins, Babb averaged 240 yards passing (63% completion) and 46 yards rushing (5.0 yards/carry). He threw for six and ran for four TD’s in the four wins. Babb engineered a fourth-quarter two-minute game-winning drive vs. New Mexico State and a game-tying drive at Middle Tennessee.

The Cajuns lost both starting wide receivers. Fred Stamps, one of the best receivers in school history, is gone, as is vocal leader Eric Bartel. Look for multiple players to grab the spotlight.

The main threats to step-in will be seniors Bill Sampy and Kemmie Lewis. Sampy and Lewis trailed only Stamps for the team lead with 39 and 27 receptions, respectively. The Cajuns have lofty goals for redshirt freshman Jordan Jackson. The 6-foot-6 target turned heads on the practice squad last season and should see plenty of game time in 2004. Senior B.J. Crist has 15 career receptions and brings solid experience to the mix. Travis Smothers (9 rec. as a RB in ’03) and freshmen Eddie Brown and Bruce Taylor will provide depth.

All-SBC tight end Josh Joerg has departed, leaving senior Lawrence Johnson and JC transfer Xavier Campbell to vie for playing time. Johnson has one career reception for three yards in 34 career games and will be used primarily as a blocker. Campbell could vie for the ball in passing situations.

A plethora of runners saw time in the backfield last season. Chester Johnson led the team with 421 yards on the ground and five touchdowns. Travis Smothers gained 269 yards, 109 of which came in the season opener.

Dwight Lindon posted 228 yards, while Josh Harrison had 38 carries for 147 yards over the final four games (168 on the season).

Johnson missed the spring with a shoulder injury and Smothers was moved to wide receiver, leaving Lindon, Harrison and freshman Abdule LeVier the top spring backs. Each is a viable candidate to assume the rushing duties in the fall.

Fullbacks Travis Cones and Ross Rix have 22 games of experience and should give the Cajuns a solid combination of fullbacks.

A revolving backfield will be well protected by an experienced offensive line that allowed just eight sacks in seven SBC games. The unit’s run blocking helped UL to 184 rushing yards per game, as well as 442 yards of total offense per game in conference play.

An abundance of talent should give coach Mike Gibson his largest rotation of linemen during his three-year tenure.

The Cajuns lost three starters in All-SBC guard D’Anthony Batiste, tackle Demetrios Brooks and guard Marshall Delesdernier, who moved to the defensive front during the spring.

The Cajuns have experience to fill the void, though. Junior guard Greg Hodges started the first three games of the 2003 until an injury forced him to miss the remaining nine games. Hodges received a medical redshirt was healthy for the spring.

Senior Bryan Lloyd should fit in nicely at the other guard position. Lloyd started five games in 2003 and appeared in 484 plays, so game experience will not be a question.

A pair of talented starters return, highlighted by sophomore Brandon Cox. The 6-foot-7, 295-pound tackle started all 12 games as a true freshman, seeing 841 snaps, the most of any Cajun.

Senior center Ronnie Harvey saw 822 snaps and is a solid mainstay in the middle of the Cajuns line. Harvey is on pace to graduate on time, which would give the Lake Charles, La., native another year of eligibility.

JuCo transfers Justin Ernest and Ryan Gilles used the spring to acclimate themselves to the Cajuns system and should vie for considerable playing time. Freshmen Will Chance, Zach Leger and Jessie Newman all figure in the mix along with senior Ed Fane and sophomore center Chris Cutler

KEY RETURNERS
QB Jerry Babb: Finished second in the Sun Belt with 193.3 ypg passing, 62.1 completion percentage, and 227.8 ypg total offense in conference games...Very mobile and athletic, Babb is dual threat, both on the ground and through the air.
WR Bill Sampy: Followed debut season in 2002 with 39 catches for 486 yards and three touchdowns in 2003.
LT Brandon Cox: Started all 12 games as a true freshman at right tackle in 2003...Moved to left tackle during the spring and returns alongside experience LG Greg Hodges.

KEY LOSSES
QB Eric Rekieta: 99-165, 1090 yards, 7 TD, 6 INT (6 games)
WR Fred Stamps: 62 rec., 973 yards, 7 TD (1976 yards in last two seasons)
TE Josh Joerg: 10 rec., 93 yards, 1 TD

NEWCOMERS
TE Xavier Campbell: Junior College transfer will challenge senior Lawrence Johnson for playing time.
QB Luke Sniewski: Record-breaking QB from Pasadena (CA) City College will provide Babb with an experienced back-up.
RG Justin Ernest: Junior College transfer will be key added addition to the Cajuns’ offensive line beside sophomore Brandon Cox and senior Ronnie Harvey.

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