Football: Lawson’s big day impresses Hudspeth, teammates – Chippy play – D-line changes – Lagniappe

Tim Buckley, The Advertiser, October 7, 2012

With four catches for 82 yards, including a pair of touchdown receptions pulled down in the end zone, Javone Lawson enjoyed Saturday what UL coach Mark Hudspeth called his "best game" so far this season.

"(He) showed that he can be a big-play player," Hudspeth said after the Ragin’ Cajuns 41-13 win over Tulane.

Perhaps the person least-surprised by that at Cajun Field was new UL starting quarterback Terrance Broadway, who hit Lawson with TD tosses of 23 and 20 yards.

"He always tells me, if you can just get into my hands, I’m gonna make the play for you," Broadway said. "Javone is one of — in my opinion, the team’s opinion, Coach’s opinion — one of the leading receivers in the nation.

"He always makes plays. Y’all seen last year. He’s kind of had a slow start this year. But as far as the New Orleans Bowl and tonight, it’s (obvious) what he can do."

Saturday marked the second two-TD game in the Cajun career, who went into Saturday’s game with with 16 catches for 161 and just one touchdown in four outings.

The senior from New Orleans also had nine catches for 123 yards, including two touchdowns throws from now-injured Blaine Gautier, in UL’s 2011 New Orleans Bowl win over San Diego.

But what he does, Lawson suggested, is not nearly as simple as Broadway makes it sound.

"I wouldn’t say that," said Lawson, adding he plays with an approach of "catch this one — you might not ever get another one."

"I would say the coaches put us in position to make plays, and Terrance threw the ball to me. They were great balls, and I just made a play."

Chippy play

One play — after Cajun safety Rodney Gillis made an interception, then apparently had his helmet pulled off — got so ugly a peace officer ran onto the field.

But after watching noseguard Justin Hamilton get ejected earlier this season at Troy and get suspended by the Sun Belt Conference for UL’s following game at Oklahoma State, the Cajuns were taking no chances Saturday.

"The game got a little too chippy for my liking — because we don’t want to lose anybody for another game," Hudspeth said.

"I thought our guys showed great restraint," he added. "I thought at times they had the right to be frustrated. I just thought the game was allowed to get out of hand, and it never should have got to that point."

The Cajuns were mindful of Hamilton’s ejection, Broadway suggested.

"It’s a big rivalry in the state of Louisiana," he said of a series that dates to 1911. "Like we’ve been saying all week, ‘It’s more than just a game’ — to our fans, and for us.

"It got a little chippy because, I guess, because they wanted to come in and spoil our homecoming — which is expected.

"I’m just glad we didn’t get (any) personal fouls, didn’t get (any) ejections," Broadway added. "I think we learned a lesson the Troy game. We were a lot smarter."

D-line changes

UL opened with its fourth different look of the season on the defensive line Saturday.

Defensive end Emeka Onyenekwu returned to the starting lineup, opening for the fourth time in five games this season, and Hamilton, who started at tackle one week earlier vs. Florida International returned to his usual starting spot at noseuard.

Christian Ringo, meanwhile, made his first start of the season, opening at tackle over senior Cordian Hagans.

A transfer from LSU, Hagans had started UL’s first four games — three at tackle, and one at end. He wound up with a fumble recovery against the Green Wave.

Lagniappe

Qyen Griffin started at inside linebacker over Jake Molbert and next to Justin Hamilton on Saturday. He wound up with seven total tackles, leading the Cajuns for a second straight week. "» Harry Peoples, Eric Ferguson, Matt Rosenbalm and Le’Marcus Gibson served as Cajun captains Saturday. "» On the sideline: ex-Cajun Bill Bentley, drafted earlier this year and now a cornerback with the NFL’s Detroit Lions, who are idle this weekend.

Athletic Network Footnote:

Click here for Blackjack Landry dedication photo gallery.

Click here for "Paint the Town Red" Homecoming story featuring Lowry’s.

Click here for UL’s Yell Like Hell at Parc International photo gallery.

Click here for UL Homecoming Parade and Car Bash photo gallery.

Click here for UL/Tulane Tailgating photo gallery.

Click here for UL vs. Tulane Cajun Field photo gallery.