Week 11: UTEP at Louisiana-Lafayette

Louisiana-Lafayette is in the driver’s seat all alone in the Sun Belt title race, but it takes a detour this week with a non-conference game. ULL is the only team with an unbeaten league record in the Sun Belt, as Troy lost last week. The Ragin’ Cajuns have two tough road conference games beginning next week, but they can sit back and catch their breath against UTEP this week.

All that is at stake in this one for ULL is momentum. The Cajuns have won four straight after a 1-3 start, giving coach Rickey Bustle job security and his team the inside track to the championship. After looking out of sorts offensively last season, perhaps no team is as sure of its identity in college football this year as ULL. The Cajuns pound opponents with a punishing ground game. They average more than 300 rushing yards per outing. Tyrell Fenroy has re-written the school and conference record books, and quarterback Michael Desormeaux may be the Sun Belt’s MVP as a dual-threat runner and passer.

ULL shouldn’t have a lot of trouble with UTEP, which has lost back-to-back league games in Conference USA. The Miners have a poor run defense, which plays right into ULL’s offensive strength. UTEP has allowed 126 points in the last two games and probably won’t have an answer for ULL’s ground attack this week.

Notes:

UTEP’s most reliable player lately has been its kicker. Senior Jose Martinez has made 14-of-18 field goals, including 9-of-9 in the last five games.

Last week, ULL running back Tyrell Fenroy became only the seventh player in NCAA history to rush for 1,000 yards in four straight seasons.

ULL has the makeup of a team that could contain UTEP’s passing attack. The Cajuns have picked off a pass in three straight games and recorded four sacks in the last two games.

Key Player (Miners) — Trevor Vittatoe, QB

The sophomore turned a corner around Week Four of the season. After throwing three picks in the season opener and struggling after that, Vittatoe has tossed 14 TD passes and only one interception in the last four games.

Key Player (Ragin’ Cajuns) — Jason Chery, WR

ULL’s rushing offense is most effective when there’s also a play-action passing threat. Chery is that big-play man. He has 10 total TDs this season as a receiver, runner and returner. Even when his catches are down, Chery scores and keeps the defense honest.

ULL by 10