Welcome everyone to another edition of #4Downs!
1st Down: Cajuns passing game an issue
During the Saturday loss to Louisiana Tech, the Cajuns passed more than they ran. Jalen Nixon got the start, which considering Brooks Haack’s struggles last Saturday against Akron, made some sense, but perhaps the Cajuns should have kept to their usual playbook and run more. But Nixon did show some signs of efficiency through the air, but couldn’t get anything going after that opening drive touchdown pass to Elijah McGuire
2nd Down: Special Teams still an issue
Another week, another special teams miscue for the Cajuns. After the Bulldogs took the lead in the second quarter, they forced another three-and-out and blocked Stephen Coutts’ punt out of the endzone for a safety. Add that with a punt return by Elijah McGuire that he almost lost, the special teams unit still has a lot to work on heading into conference play.
3rd Down: Playcalling changed complexion of game
The Cajuns got the ball back at the end of the first half only down by two touchdowns with ten seconds left. The smart thing to do would be to just take a knee and head to the locker room. But the Cajuns decided to try and close the gap with a deep pass but the Bulldogs picked it off and ran it all the way back to the endzone for the score. During Coach Hudspeth’s press conference he said that this game was on the coaching staff, himself included, and perhaps they should’ve just done the right thing and take the knee and have a smaller hill to climb in the second half.
4th Down:Is it time to hit the panic button?
No. The last two games have been against opponents that are really solid. Maybe the Cajuns aren’t as good as they looked against Kentucky, but look at last year. The Cajuns were 1-3 heading into conference play in 2014. The Cajuns open up conference next week against Texas State who also has a 1-3 record. The only thing that should be a concern to Cajun fans heading into next Saturday is the status of Nixon, who got rocked late in the game on Saturday and possibly reinjured his shoulder. Perhaps this puts Haack back in the starter position, which could be interesting.
-Clint Domingue