Game Day: Lamar vs. Louisiana

Game Day is here as Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns open the 2012 season against the Lamar Cardinals in the Hebert Heymann Classic Saturday at Cajun Field. What must the Cajuns do to win and what will the Cardinals do that could cause problems for the coaching staff?

Game Day is here and UL Football Staff is not sure what the Lamar offense and defense will look like with Coach Ray Woodard hiring new coordinators. While some video is available of the offense that Larry Kueck ran and the defenses that Bill Bradley ran at previous stops, the personnel are different. With the information we have gathered on Lamar’s starters and the systems of the two coordinators, here is what we think Lamar will run against the Cajuns.

Lamar Offense vs. UL Defense

Lamar Offense
Coach Kueck’s offense has a big arm gunslinger in (6-4, 215) Ryan Mossakowski and a major BCS talent in Oklahoma State transfer Herschel Sims (5-9, 215) at running back. Kueck will run the spread offense and look to get the ball to Sims in short screen game and runs from the Zone Read or Slant game. The idea is to get Sims in open space against linebackers or safeties were he can use his speed and moves for big gains. Mossakowski will look to get the ball away quickly in the short passing game against a good Cajun defensive line and work underneath the linebackers. Look for Kueck to test the Cajun’s safeties down the middle, especially when Barksdale or Gillis are playing in the box to help against the run.

Cajun Defense
The Cajun defense has an advantage up front, out weighing the Lamar offensive line by an average of 30-pounds per man. With that size advantage, look for the Cajuns to commit to stopping Herschel Sims and the Lamar rushing attack first. Sims may be the best running back the Cajuns face this year outside of Oklahoma State’s Randle and his capable of making big plays in the open field or on a miss tackle. Also look for Coach Stewart to bring his linebackers from the outside on occasion to force Mossakowski to throw into coverage or force a turnover. Ryan Mossakowski had the reputation of forcing the ball into coverage at times at Kentucky and while his numbers were impressive in junior college, he continued to throw his share of interceptions as well. The mission is simple for the UL defense, stop Sims and put enough pressure on Mossakowski that he does not become comfortable in the pocket.

UL Offense vs. Lamar Defense
Coach Johnson is not about to show some of the new faucets in the Cajun’s offense with the Troy game on the schedule next weekend. But the offense that UL ran last season will do just fine against Lamar provided that Leonardo Bates and Jaron Odom can slow down the speed rushers off the edge for the Lamar defense. According to scouting reports, defense end Jessie Dickson (6-2, 245) may be one of the fastest edge rushers the Cajun’s staff has watched on video over the past few years. Dickson, along with outside linebacker Blake Chavis (6-5, 235) are a formable pair coming off the edge of the Lamar defense. If the UL offensive line can slow down the Lamar front, Blaine Gautier and the Cajun’s receivers will have a big day of throwing and catching the ball. Lamar has two new starters at cornerback from last season and neither will be able to slow down the UL receiving core of Javon Lawson, Darryl Surgent, Harry Peoples, James Butler, Javon Robinson and Bradley Brown. If Lamar comes after the Cajun offense like as expected, look for Coach Johnson to run the Zone Read with Gautier and his running backs to slow down Lamar’s edge rushers. Should UL successfully protect and throw the ball down the field, the Cajuns should eventually wear the Lamar defense down.

UL Special Teams vs. Lamar Special Teams

Because UL has more depth this season, look for the Cajuns coverage teams to be more consistent. The Cajuns have one of the better weapons in the region in Brett Baer and if he can have a similar season to last year, UL special teams will be pretty darn good. Montrel Carter will join preseason All-Sunbelt returner Darryl Surgent as kick-off returners this year. Carter’s speed gives UL another threat back as teams try to kick away from Surgent this season.

Lamar has a pretty good punter of their own in senior Kollin Kahler (6-2, 190). Kahler finished the 2011 season averaging 42.3 yards per punt and pinning 16 punts inside the 20-yard line. Field goal kicker Justin Stout was less than impressive, hitting only 1-of-4 from beyond 30-yards.

Final Score UL 38, Lamar 17

It may take a quarter or so before the UL staff figures out what Lamar is trying to do on both sides of the football. As long as the Cajuns don’t turn over the football, this game could begin very similar to the Nichols State game last season. As the game goes on, look for the Cajun offense to wear down the Lamar defense and move the ball consistently down the field. The Cajuns defense will have a learning curve and may give up a few points early on in the game especially if Sims gets off to a fast start. UL should take care of business as long as they don’t give Lamar multiple turnovers early in the game.

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