Welcome everyone to the latest edition of #4Downs where every Cajuns game is broken down. In this edition we look at their loss to New Mexico State.
1st Down: Defensive Struggle For Cajuns
The Cajuns defense as of late has shown improvement in every game since Mike Lucas took over for Melvin Smith. But New Mexico State’s Tyler Rogers made the defense look like they did against Boise State. He knew the secondary was the weak point of this defense and was able to tear it apart for 354 yards. This also opened up the run game and Larry Rose III was able to have a good game after suffering from injuries to start the season. Overall, the defense had taken a few steps forward, but after New Mexico State they’ve taken a couple steps back.
2nd Down: Running Back Depth an Issue
The Cajuns looked good heading into the season in terms of the running back position. But injuries have hampered this team’s play calling and their ability to get things done. After last week’s game saw Eli McGuire leave everything out on the field, the backups had to carry the workload. But after Cecilia’s Raymond Calais was injured, the rest of the backs had to step up and it was a lackluster effort from Darius Hoggins and Jordan Wright. The Cajuns may need Eli McGuire even more if Calais misses significant time.
3rd Down: Change Coming at QB?
Late in the first half after Anthony Jennings threw a pick six, Mark Hudspeth put in Jalen Nixon in place of Anthony Jennings to try and light a spark for this team offensively. It worked, albeit briefly. He stayed in until he was injured in the first overtime but his impact offensively was minimal due to most plays when he was put in were runs. It looked like Hud was clearly frustrated in his star QB’s performance, not only in this game but in the last three games. If Nixon isn’t significantly hurt, I’d expect him to start against Appalachian State which if what happened last season is any indicator will be a long day for the Cajuns.
4th Down: Predictable Play Calling
If there’s one thing that the Cajuns head coach has been criticized for as of late, it’s his insistence of running it up the middle. It is an old-fashioned method of running that honestly doesn’t work all that much. You need to have the toss to the back or a screen to get things going. If you want to succeed, there needs to be a change in how offensive plays are called, maybe a balance in run and pass is all that’s needed. Some inspiration needs to hit the Cajuns coaching staff during the next few days before one of their toughest games against Appalachian State.
-Clint Domingue