Football: Figaro cousins enjoying this one

Tim Buckley, Daily Advertiser, September 13, 2013

If there’s one thing UL receiver Devin Figaro knows about the quarterback who finished for Nicholls State in its upset win last Saturday at Western Michigan, it’s that he’s bound to be ready tonight.

“He’s gonna be prepared,” the Ragin’ Cajun senior said. “He’s a Figaro.”

Tuskani Figaro was supposed to red-shirt this season.

But as one Nicholls State QB after another has fallen, the ex-Crowley High linebacker and quarterback kept moving up.

Would-be starter Landry Klann is out for 2013 (shoulder surgery). Beaux Hebert didn’t play last week due to a concussion sustained in a season-opening loss at Oregon. And Tulsa-transfer Kalen Henderson broke his leg in the first half at Western Michigan, leaving Figaro to help rally the Colonels from 23-21 down.

That makes UL’s game tonight vs. Nicholls State a family affair, in addition to homecoming for some.

Abbeville High product T.J. Lumar earned Southland Conference Player of the Week honors with nine tackles and an interception at Western Michigan. Defensive back Siegan Vergenal of Westgate has 13 total tackles in two games, and Vermilion Catholic product Tyler Harrington has four.

Then there’s Tuskani Figaro, Devin’s first cousin.

They’re close, hanging together at family functions and even playing throwing-and-catch in the offseason.

Tuskani is the son of Lisa Barr and Cedric Figaro, a linebacker at Notre Dame and with St. Louis, Cleveland, Indianapolis and San Diego in the NFL for seven seasons from 1988-96. Devin is the son of Diane and Kevin Figaro, a UL basketball player who from 1977-81 who was drafted by the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks.

“It’s gonna be fun. A battle between the Figaros,” said Devin Figaro, a Lafayette High product and Tulane transfer in his second season at UL.

Devin Figaro said there inevitably will be “a little bit of trash talk – but nothing too much, because we want to stay focused on what we’re trying to do.”

UL seeks its first 2013 win after losing at Arkansas and Kansas State.

Nicholls State looks to a win a second game in the same season for the first time since 2010. It got its first when Figaro ran for 72 yards and threw for 66 in his unexpected debut at Western Michigan.

Devin Figaro, who has two catches this season, knew last Saturday that Henderson had gotten hurt. But he didn’t learn until Sunday what his cousin did.

They spoke Tuesday.

“I was just trying to see where his head was at,” Devin Figaro said, “and if he’s gonna be playing a little bit.”

It seems so.

According to Nicholls State, both Hebert – ex-New Orleans Saints quarterback Bobby Hebert’s son – and Figaro “will most likely get some snaps” tonight. One, Hebert, is a pocket passer; the other, Figaro, is dual-threat type UL coach Mark Hudspeth said “can hurt you with his legs.”

“I hope (Tuskani) does well,” Devin Figaro said. “I just hope he doesn’t get hurt.”