Cajuns focused on SBC championship

• By GLENN QUEBEDEAUX
• Special to The Advocate
• Published: Nov 11, 2008 - UPDATED: 6:32 a.m.

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LAFAYETTE — A 37-24 non-conference loss Saturday may have snapped the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s four-game winning streak, but it hasn’t shaken the Ragin’ Cajuns confidence or resolve.

“Like we do every game, we flip that page,” ULL coach Rickey Bustle said Monday at his weekly news conference at the ULL Athletic Complex. “That’s one behind us and we can fully concentrate on our goals and who we have to play. Our goals are (still) intact.”

Those ULL goals include a winning season and a third bowl-eligible record in four years, as well as capturing a Sun Belt Conference championship.

The Cajuns sit alone atop the SBC standings at 4-0, one game ahead of Troy. Overall, the Cajuns’ 5-4 mark leaves them one victory shy of becoming bowl eligible.

“They (Cajuns) realize that we control our own destiny,” said Bustle, whose team begins a pivotal three-game league home stretch Saturday when it visits defending SBC champion Florida Atlantic.

“It’s going to be tough and it’s going to get tougher. Everybody left on that schedule has goals to reach, too.”

Following this weekend’s game in Fort Lauderdale, the Cajuns travel to meet Troy (4-1) on Nov. 22 before ending the season Dec. 3, at home against Middle Tennessee.

A victory over UTEP would have given the Cajuns an added boost of momentum heading into the home stretch. But breakdowns on offense and defense stymied the Cajuns’ efforts and the Miners took full advantage.

Bustle was disappointed in the Cajuns’ performance — one which saw them gain 108 yards under their offensive average and suffer four turnovers — but he was not discouraged.

“I think it opened everybody’s eyes,” he said. “Not that they haven’t been open, but sometimes it’s a little extra …

“We just have to play better. We can get better and that’s what we talk about every week. If we had to have a game like that then I’m glad it was last Saturday and, hopefully, it is behind us.”

The key for the Cajuns over the next three weeks could boil down to the health of their quarterbacks — starter Mike Desormeaux and backup Brad McGuire. Both are currently nursing injuries, which is a major concern for Bustle as he looks ahead.

Desormeaux, who has already missed one game, is still hobbled by a knee injury which has limited his effectiveness, particularly running the football, while McGuire is hampered by a sprained hamstring. Neither practiced Sunday.