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Football: History is today’s theme for UL (Includes Greatest Moments Page)Joshua Parrott • jparrott@theadvertiser.com • November 1, 2008 An avid hunter and outdoorsman, Glenn Lafleur missed UL’s first two home football games this season at Cajun Field. But with the program’s 1,000th game taking place at 4 p.m. today against Florida International, the legendary Cajun linebacker will be sure to make his way down to Lafayette for the historic homecoming event. Now the principal at Pine Prairie High, the 60-year-old Lafleur plans to travel from his Ville Platte home for the game with wife Jean and granddaughter Logan. "All milestones are great for any city or university," Lafleur said on Thursday night. "This game is something that will be remembered forever. "I think it’s a great thing for UL." There are plenty of side notes for today’s game between UL (4-3 overall, 3-0 Sun Belt) and FIU (3-4, 2-1). The Cajuns join Troy as the league’s only two undefeated teams in conference play. With five games left in the regular season, they need two victories to become bowl-eligible. On another note, running back Tyrell Fenroy needs 30 rushing yards to become only the seventh player in NCAA history with four 1,000-yard seasons. "After I finish playing here, this game will be something I can look back at with my family," Fenroy said. "I’m definitely going to enjoy it." FIU has turned around its program under second-year coach Mario Cristobal. The Golden Panthers have already won two more games this season than they did in 2006 and ’07 combined, when they went 1-23. But a large part of the spotlight falls on this being the 1,000th game in UL history dating back to then-Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute’s 6-5 victory at Opelousas on Dec. 21, 1901. "That’s part of some good things that are happening this year," UL coach Rickey Bustle said. "When you’re doing something else and raising your grandchildren and they have this group back from the 1,000th game, we’ll all come back." Wide receiver Richie Falgout grew up in Lafayette and attended Lafayette High, so he knows about the history at UL. "Being raised in Lafayette and living here all my 21 years, I’ve probably been to 50 to 60 of the 1,000 games," Falgout said. "It means a lot to me to be able to be participating in the 1,000th game. "There’s a lot of history in this game, and a lot of great people have played here." Quarterback Mike Desormeaux, a native of New Iberia, appreciates the opportunity to be involved in such a historic event. "It (this game) is a big deal to be a part of," said Desormeaux, expected to return from a sprained knee for today’s game. "The school has such a long history of playing football. I’m just honored to be a part of it. "We want to go out there and try to make this game memorable with a win." Lafleur’s story is one of the most memorable at UL, which was known as the University of Southwestern Louisiana when he lettered from 1967-69. While battling injuries throughout his career, the Ville Platte High grad earned All-Gulf States Conference honors in each of his three seasons as a starter. Lafleur was a second team Little All-American as a junior in ’68, leading the Cajuns to the conference title. The 5-foot-10, 190-pounder garnered first-team honors in his senior season after averaging nearly 20 unassisted tackles per game. Lafleur saw his No. 28 retired after his senior season, becoming the first Cajun to earn such an honor. He later signed with the Denver Broncos but failed his physical because of a lingering ankle injury and never played pro ball. Instead of sulking about it, he refocused and spent 23 years as a high school football coach. He was an assistant at Fatima (1971), Comeaux (1972-73) and Ville Platte (1974-76) before taking over at Ville Platte. After the 1993 season he stopped coaching to focus on being a school administrator and plans on putting in another five years before retiring. One thing Lafleur missed in college was a chance to play at Cajun Field, which opened in 1971. But he doesn’t plan on missing the chance to go back to Lafayette this weekend and cheer on his school and rekindle some old memories. "I left my heart at USL, making all-conference three years in a row and Little All-American two years in a row," Lafleur said. "It’s an honor for me to go back for homecoming and the 1,000th game. "It’s going to be a great honor to be back and celebrate with the university." Click here for Greatest Moments in UL Football History:
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