Football – Support system: Record crowd boosts UL; see photo galleries from the game

Joshua Parrott • jparrott@theadvertiser.com • September 7, 2009

Undrea Sails felt the nerves while waiting to take Cajun Field for the start of UL’s season opener Saturday night against Southern University.

Sails expected to be greeted by a big crowd, but the senior running back was still shocked at his surroundings. A crowd of 41,357 packed the stands and the grass behind the end zone as the Ragin’ Cajuns smashed their single-game home attendance record. They also broke the Sun Belt’s single-game mark.

UL’s previous top total was 38,783 in a 29-22 win over No. 25 Texas A&M on Sept. 14, 1996.

"It was crazy," Sails said. "I never really expected anything like that in my college career. I had butterflies coming out of the tunnel."

Sails left the Jaguars feeling queasy in his first start at UL (1-0). The Alabama native looked as dangerous as last year’s starter and Sun Belt Player of the Year Tyrell Fenroy, scoring twice and accounting for 170 yards on 20 touches. He rushed for a game-high and career-high 114 yards on 19 carries and one touchdown. His lone catch was a 56-yard scoring reception.

It was quite a season debut for Sails, who missed the first three (waiting for grade to be posted) and last three games (knee injury) in 2008 after transferring from College of the Desert in Palm Desert, Calif. Last year he had zero touchdowns and 91 total yards in six games.

Quarterback Chris Masson was equally productive in his first college start, racking up 319 yards and three touchdowns. The sophomore from Miami hit on 18-of-24 passes for 283 yards and two touchdowns. It was the 24th-best passing effort in school history. He also ran for 36 yards and one score on five carries.

Masson was also impressed with the atmosphere to open the season.

"It was amazing just going out there and seeing all those people out there," said Masson, who was the No. 3 quarterback last season behind departed starter Michael Desormeaux and current sophomore Brad McGuire. "It was really great to see the student body come out there and support us."

It was Masson’s first start in a real game since his senior year at Columbus High in Miami during the 2006 season. He appeared to handle the pressure fine, completing 10 of his first 11 passes for 178 yards and one score in the first half.

Masson had UL’s offense clicking all night as it gained 533 yards, 325 passing and 208 rushing. The Cajuns scored on four of their first five possessions and had five scoring drives of at least 80 yards. They converted all four chances in the red zone and had six plays of at least 30 yards, with Masson being involved in four of them.

Granted it was only one game, but the offensive performance shows that UL might be fine after losing Desormeaux and Fenroy from a team that set multiple offensive school records a season ago.

After the game, UL head coach Rickey Bustle made sure his players and coaches showed the crowd how much they appreciated the outpouring of support.

"We gave them a standing ovation," Bustle said. "That was absolutely awesome. It was a great thing to see. That stadium has never looked like that. We really appreciate it."

It was a bright spot for a program that led the Sun Belt in home attendance last season after finishing second in the league standings. Some Cajun players were still haunted by a 38-17 home loss to FCS school McNeese State early in the 2007 season, which happened in front of now the fourth-largest crowd (33,828) in school history.

"I honestly never thought 40,000 would happen," Bustle said. "I saw what playing McNeese a few years ago did for us. I thought it was a great game to play. There was a lot of blue up in the stands, too.

"It was an awesome crowd."

Scott Farmer, UL’s senior associate athletics director, was nearly speechless after the game due to the overwhelming crowd. He hopes the fans show up again next weekend with Big 12 Conference member Kansas State traveling to Cajun Field.

UL is seeking its first 2-0 start since the 1990 season.

"I think this is great for football in the state of Louisiana," Farmer said. "We just want to thank everybody. Hopefully, we can continue this in the future."

Daily Advertiser Photo Galleries by Brad Kemp September 5, 2009

UL vs. Southern Action 1: click here http://www.theadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=DG&Dato=20090905&Kategori=NEWS01&Lopenr=909050804&Ref=PH

UL vs. Southern Action 2: click here http://www.theadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=DG&Dato=20090905&Kategori=NEWS01&Lopenr=909050805&Ref=PH

Denny Culbert, The Advertiser

UL Tailgating and Fans: click here  http://www.theadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=DG&Dato=20090905&Kategori=NEWS01&Lopenr=909050806&Ref=PH