Football: Barksdale gets first start at LB

Tim Buckley, Daily Advertiser, September 5, 2013    

Former safety Tig Barksdale will get his first start of the season at linebacker when UL visits Kansas State on Saturday night, Ragin’ Cajuns coach Mark Hudspeth said after practice Thursday.

Hudspeth said Barksdale, a junior, will start at the “Will” linebacker spot in which senior Andrew Hebert started for UL in its 34-14 loss last Saturday at Arkansas.

“We just have to get speed on the field,” the Cajun coach said mid-week. “The main thing is, we see some of these spread offenses – you’ve got to have linebackers that can tackle in open space.”

Hudspeth did say Hebert, who made the move back to linebacker after spending last season buried on the depth chart at tight end, and Jake Molbert, a 2012 starter before sustaining an ACL knee tear, would both play at the “Will” spot as well.

“We’ll have to play a lot of guys,” he said, “because we’re expecting another hot game. It is on turf. So we’re expecting to play more than just two.”

Barksdale, who started six games for the Cajuns last season at safety, is an ex-Ole Miss signee who transferred to UL after spending one season playing running back at FCS Jacksonville (Ala.) State.

He and Hebert were both in on three tackles and Molbert was in on five as all three played at Arkansas, where the on-field temperature at kickoff was at least 118 degrees.

Saturday’s game at Kansas State begins at 5:30 p.m., two-and-a-half hours later than the one at Arkansas.

Yet another Cajun linebacker, meanwhile, may not play at all against the Wildcats.

Hudspeth had hoped to get Breaux Bridge High product Tyren Alexander on the field more, but he missed extensive practice time this week due to an undisclosed injury and is being called “doubtful” for Saturday.

“He didn’t get a lot of reps this week,” Hudspeth said Thursday, “and if you don’t rep it’s just hard to play.”

But Hudspeth did say earlier this week that he eventually wants to “get (Alexander) back in there … because he’s got speed and natural instincts.”

ON THE CORNER:

Hudspeth said he’ll “probably” start junior-college transfer Corey Trim at cornerback for a second straight week, and that as of Thursday night true freshman Simeon Thomas still hadn’t received NCAA eligibility clearance.

“Trim has had a good week,” Hudspeth said.

As for Thomas, Hudspeth said “the paperwork has been done.”

“We expect him to be cleared. … He’s done everything he was supposed to do. Now it’s just up (to) the NCAA to process the documents,” Hudspeth said.

Hudspeth said Thomas has until 5 p.m. tonight to be cleared. If he’s cleared before 2 p.m., he’ll fly with the team to Kansas State. If he’s cleared between 2 p.m. (when the Cajuns leave Lafayette) and 5 p.m., he – according to Hudspeth – would be permitted to catch a private flight to the game.

“We’ll just have to play it by ear,” Hudspeth said.

On the other corner opposite the one in which Trim and Thomas have been getting reps this week, Trevence Patt – as previously reported – is moving from starting strong safety to take the place of junior-college transfer Cedrick Tillman.

KICKER CONCERNS:

After junior-college transfer Stephen Brauchle missed a 27-yarder on his only field-goal attempt at Arkansas, Hudspeth said on Tuesday that he planed to open up competition in practice between Brauchle and kickoff specialist Hunter Stover.

But Hudspeth said Thursday that Brauchle is expected to handle both field goals and PATs at Kansas State.

“(Stover’s) plant foot is bothering him a little bit,” Hudspeth said. “We may have to him just kick off, and have that be all he does.”

Stover sent all three of his kickoffs into the end zone at Arkansas.

LAGNIAPPE:

Hudspeth said sophomore reserve Al Riles, also moved from safety to cornerback this week, is “not ready” yet to see extensive playing time at his new position. … True freshman Devin Scott has been promoted from No. 3 to No. 2 slot receiver, ahead of Lance Pace and behind starter Darryl Surgent. “We’ve got some confidence in him,” Hudspeth said. “The kid’s come on. A lot of speed.” Last Saturday’s participation report showed Scott did not play at Arkansas, but that’s been changed to reflect the fact he did see late-game action. … After he caught two passes from backup quarterback Brooks Haack on UL’s final drive at Kansas State, Hudspeth said 6-foot-5 freshman backup receiver Jared Johnson “is gonna get maybe a few snaps.” Added Hudspeth: “He’s just such a big target. He’s getting better.”