Football: UL vs. ULM–A brewing rivalry

The rivalry between the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and ULM has heated up this week, focusing on UL’s preference to be called the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns, with no reference to “Lafayette.”

But the rivalry between the two schools has been escalating over the past two years.

When the teams met at Cajun field in 2011, UL rallied from 11 points down with just more than two minutes to go to beat the Warhawks 36-35.

Last year, the teams met Nov. 3 at Malone Stadium in Monroe. The Ragin’ Cajuns had already secured their victory, comfortably up 34-24 with four seconds to go.

Facing fourth-and-6 from their own 19-yard line, all the Cajuns had to do was run one more play. There was no possible way the Warhawks could win.

Instead of just throwing one away, though, UL – facing an all-out ULM blitz – completed an 81-yard touchdown toss.

It left the Warhawks and their fans stewing.

UL head coach Mark Hudspeth didn’t apologize for what happened then. He doesn’t now, either, suggesting instead it simply wasn’t supposed to unfold that way.

But the Cajun coach understands just how much the series’ last two games have impacted both programs.

“It’s been two pretty heated games already,” said Hudspeth, who is headed into his third season as coach in Lafayette. “But, you know what? It’s all in great competition, and it will be great for the state of Louisiana.

“Every team needs a team that they sort of love and hate, you know what I’m saying? Where you’ve got that great rivalry. You hate ‘em, but you love to play ‘em.”

The Ragin’ Cajuns and the Warhawks will meet Nov. 30 at Cajun Field for UL’s last home game of the season.