Having one 1,000 yard rusher is pretty good. Now, if you have two, you’re in pretty elite company.

Last season, UL-Lafayette had a duo of 1,000 yard rushers in QB , who ran for 1,141 yards and seven touchdowns, and RB , who had his third straight 1,000 yard season, running for 1,021 yards and also ran for seven scores, spearheading a rushing attack that averaged 251.6 yards per game.

That duo is back to terrorize Sun Belt defenses again, but can they lead the Ragin’ Cajuns to a serious run in the Sun Belt?

Last season, ’s team went 3-9 overall and 3-4 in the Sun Belt, three games behind FAU and Troy.

That record could have been better, as they lost to FAU in overtime in a game that they took a late lead in, only for FAU to tie the game with seven seconds left, and lost to Ohio in a game they led going into the 4th.

They did end the year on a somewhat positive note, winning two of their last three games, thought losing a close finale at home to in-state rival Warhawks was no doubt a bitter pill to swallow.

So, what needs to happen for the Ragin’ Cajuns to be a factor in the SBC?

Well, it starts with a defense that allowed 35.8 points and 446.7 yards per game must improve.

Some of the pieces are in place, starting in the linebacking corps, where All-Sun Belt second-teamer (93 tackles, 7 for loss) and sophomore Grant Fleming (71 tackles) who was an honorable mention all-conference pick in 2007, lead the way along with Brenton Burkhalter (65 tackles). Fred Davis and Daylon McCoy will provide quality depth.

They have to replace defensive line starters Rodney Hardaway, Korey Raymond, and Greg Hathorn, but there is a returning starter at defensive tackle in , and senior should start at the other tackle position, with junior and sophomore starting at end.

In the secondary there are still some questions, but the safety tandem should be and . At cornerback, came out of the spring on top of the depth chart, with at right corner, and JC transfer should play a significant role.

Offensively, the Ragin’ Cajuns are set at the skill positions and along the line, though replacing all-conference left tackle won’t be easy. Desormeaux will need to keep mistakes at a minimum, and production must not only show up in yards, but in points as well. Desormeaux’s leading receiver, (36 catches, 442 yards, 2 TD) is back, and Fenroy’s backup, (433 yards rushing, 3 TD, 10 catches, 148 yards, 2 TD), will get plenty of opportunities, both on the ground and through the air.

The schedule isn’t favorable as they only have three home conference games, and they go to Southern Miss, Illinois and Kansas State in non-conference play, and host Kent State (RB Eugene Jarvis) and UTEP (QB Trevor Vittatoe) teams that have extremely dangerous offensive weapons.

But if the defense can improve and Desormeaux and Fenroy can lead a potent offense, don’t be surprised if the Ragin’ Cajuns makes some noise this fall.

Get tickets for the Ragin’ Cajuns’ games at Illinois and Kansas State at TicketCity!

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