Ragin’ Cajuns no creampuff opener

Florida defensive back Marcus Roberson (5) breaks up a pass intended for Louisiana-Lafayette wide receiver Jamal Robinson (15) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Gainesville, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012. Florida won 27-20. (AP Photo/Phil Sandlin)

FAYETTEVILLE - The last time an Arkansas coach debuted by opening against Louisiana-Lafayette, the Razorbacks rolled to a 38-17 victory.

That was on Sept. 5, 1998, when Houston Nutt won his first game as Arkansas’ coach.

A lot has changed for Louisiana-Lafayette since then, including the school’s name, which in 1998 was Southwestern Louisiana.

The Ragin’ Cajuns also have turned their record upside down since then. They finished 2-9 in 1998, but were 9-4 in each of the previous two seasons, capped by New Orleans Bowl victories over San Diego State and East Carolina.

Louisiana-Lafayette had won as many as nine games just twice - going 9-2 in 1921 and 1976 - before Mark Hudspeth took over as coach in 2011.

Hudspeth, who played safety and quarterback at Delta State and was a graduate assistant at Central Arkansas in 1992, came to Louisiana-Lafayette after going 66-21 in seven seasons as North Alabama’s coach.

The Ragin’ Cajuns have 12 returning starters, led by junior quarterback Terrance Broadway, going into Saturday’s game at Arkansas. It will be Bret Bielema’s first game as the Razorbacks’ coach.

Hudspeth said the Ragin’ Cajuns’ 18 victories the past two seasons - as well as a 27-20 road loss at Florida last year - have given his players added confidence going into the Arkansas game.

“They’re not by any means arrogant or cocky coming into this game, but they’re confident,” Hudspeth said. “They’re looking forward to the challenge of competing against these guys.

“Hopefully, we’ll be ready and we can play well.”

Broadway, a transfer from Houston who redshirted in 2011, began last season as a backup but took over as the starter for the final nine games after senior Blaine Gautier broke his hand.

Broadway set a school total-offense record with 3,611 yards, completing 65.4 percent of his passes for 2,842 yards and 17 touchdowns and rushing for 769 yards and 9 touchdowns.

“I was very shocked to learn that he got that starting role after an injury, just because he looked like a natural,” Bielema said. “Obviously, he makes that whole offense go.”

Hudspeth said Broadway played well during fall camp.

“He’s just continued his growth as a quarterback, a student of the game,” Hudspeth said. “He’s been very sharp. He gets us in the right plays.

“To me, he’s a true dual-threat athlete, but he throws it like a pocket passer.”

Broadway is working behind an offensive line with three returning starters, led by senior center Andre Huval and junior tackle Daniel Quave, who each have 26 consecutive starts.

Junior tailback Alonzo Harris rushed 170 times for 881 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.

“He can be a running back in [the SEC],” Arkansas defensive end Chris Smith said.

Junior receiver Darryl Surgent had 34 catches for 569 yards last season and is expected to be Broadway’s primary target.

Louisiana-Lafayette’s defense is led by senior linebacker Justin Anderson, who last season had 105 tackles.

Senior Brandon McCray and juniors Justin Hamilton and Christian Ringo are returning starters on the defense line, which Hudspeth should be a strength. The secondary got a boost when safety Rodney Gillis was granted a sixth season of eligibility by the NCAA.

Hudspeth said fall camp was long, hot and demanding, but that the Ragin’ Cajuns didn’t suffer any serious injuries.

“We’ve come out of camp injury-free luckily,” he said. “Any time that you don’t have tons of depth, that’s always a plus.”

Louisiana-Lafayette DATE OPPONENT TIME Aug. 31 at Arkansas 3 p.m. Sept. 7 at Kansas State 5:30 p.m. Sept. 14 Nicholls State 6 p.m. Sept. 21 at Akron 5 p.m. Oct. 5 Texas State 6 p.m. Oct. 15 at W. Kentucky 7 p.m. Oct. 22 at Arkansas State 7 p.m. Nov. 2 New Mexico State 4 p.m. Nov. 7 Troy 6:30 p.m. Nov. 16 at Georgia State 1 p.m. Nov. 30 La.-Monroe 6 p.m. Dec. 7 at South Alabama TBA

Sports, Pages 17 on 08/27/2013