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Football: He’s the manTim Buckley, Daily Advertiser, July 17, 2013 NEW ORLEANS — With all Sun Belt football coaches gathered here, and a gaggle of reporters covering the conference in front of him, UL coach Mark Hudspeth made the declaration so clearly there should be no confusion whatsoever: No matter how talented backup Terrance Broadway may be, senior quarterback Blaine Gautier is his guy. Today. Tomorrow. And, as far as he can see, for the rest of the season. "Terrance Broadway had an incredible spring. I think he’s gonna be a really good quarterback," Hudspeth said Monday during Sun Belt Media Day at the New Orleans Marriott. "But make no mistake," Hudspeth hastened to added. "There is no quarterback controversy. Blaine’s our starting quarterback." It’s basically been that way ever since Gautier supplanted then-senior Chris Masson early last season and led the Ragin’ Cajuns to a 9-4 record that featured a New Orleans Bowl win over San Diego State. In the process, he set Cajun season records for not only yards passing (2,958) but also passing touchdowns (23) and completion percentage (.628). So this season, rest assured, the lefty from Lutcher High should feel no need to look over his shoulder. "I think he (Gautier) knows he’s earned that right," Hudspeth said. "He’s a proven quarterback that took his team to a bowl win and nine wins all together. I think that’s gonna add to his confidence right away, coming into the season. "It also helps," Hudspeth added, "(that) he’s got his weapons back with the wideouts and his running back game, and he’s got to feel pretty comfortable knowing that four offensive line starters are back." Starting receivers Javone Lawson, Darryl Surgent and Harry Peoples all are back for UL in the coming season, as is Sun Belt Freshman of the Year running back Alonzo Harris and offensive linemen Leonardo Bates, Andre Huval, Daniel Quave and Jaron Odom. The Cajuns, in fact, return nine of 11 starters on offense, losing only tight end Ladarius Green and linemen Kyle Plouhar. "So I think his (Gautier’s) overall confidence level," Hudspeth said, "will help him in his performance early."
So does Gautier, who embraces the vote of confidence with genuine appreciation. "It’s wonderful to have Coach Hud and Coach (Jay) Johnson (UL’s offensive coordinator) and that staff behind me 100 percent," said Gautier, UL’s athlete rep at Media Day. "They know I’m gonna go out there and I’m gonna give 100 percent, no matter what it is. "That’s definitely wonderful, to have the staff behind me 100 percent and knowing that I will come in and do whatever I need to for this team to win." Hudspeth’s signal of support for Gautier comes just two days after he was made one of 25 quarterbacks from around the country who will be named to the preseason Manning Award Watch List. Though not fully released yet, the list is expected to include three finalists from 2011 — USC’s Matt Barkley, Oklahoma’s Landry Jones and Tyler Wilson of Arkansas. Ryan Aplin, from defending Sun Belt champ Arkansas State, is among this year’s preseason 25 as well. "It’s a wonderful feeling to be on that list with such tremendous and prestigious players," Gautier said Monday. "A lot of those guys are going to the NFL, and will do wonderful things." As for Broadway, Hudspeth said late in the spring he would look for chances to get the University of Houston transfer from Capitol High of Baton Rouge playing time of some sort. He stuck to that assertion Monday, even while making it abundantly clear the job fully belongs to Gautier. "I’d like to find some ways to get him in, and to me I don’t necessarily have to wait until it’s mop-up duty, if we ever have that opportunity," the Cajun coach said. "He’s a guy that performed at a high level in the spring, and if for some reason we ever needed just a little shot in the arm we might could put him the game." It wouldn’t have to be only for trick plays, but it wouldn’t be an automatic series each game either. "I see right now Terrance’s role as the backup," Hudspeth said of Broadway, who sat out last season at UL due to NCAA transfer rules. "But I do see that Terrance is talented enough where if we needed him to play I wouldn’t even blink an eye. I would just say, ‘Go in.’ "And if we ever need him, I wouldn’t mind putting him in — in any capacity. He’s very talented. But like I said, this is Blaine’s team."
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