They are told to carry it with them wherever they go.

In the wallet. On the dashboard. Heck, glue it to your tongue if need be.

It’s called an "eight-second card," and it’s given to every UL football player to treasure more than their driver’s license, more than their passport, even more than Daddy’s American Express card.

Written on it are six core values to which each of new head coach Mark Hudspeth’s Ragin’ Cajuns are fully expected to adhere.

And it didn’t take an incident like the recent one at LSU — starting quarterback Jordan Jefferson and linebacker Josh Johns both were suspended indefinitely after being charged Friday with second-degree felony battery for their roles in an Aug. 19 Baton Rouge bar fight that reportedly involved two other teammates as well — for the Cajuns to get their cards.

Good decision-making off the field, it seems, is something Hudspeth values even more than protecting the ball on it.

"That’s a point that we make with our guys year-round, not just after something happens," he said Friday.

The card is one of several devices Hudspeth and his first-year coaching staff are utilizing in hopes that bad behavior is the problem only of other programs, not his own.

Old-fashioned press clippings are another.

"We’re always posting ESPN articles, on the bulletin board in the lockeroom, of other teams, where they’ve had other players get arrested and get in trouble," he said. "That’s just to make them think, ‘If I make a mistake and do something wrong here, obviously the same thing is gonna to me.’ "

Hudspeth has addressed the general topic with his team as well, and he has ordered each of his assistants to stay in close contact with all of their position players during non-practice hours.

That is especially the case this weekend, when for the first time in what seems like forever the Cajuns have consecutive free nights.

They did not practice Friday afternoon, and they’ll get tonight off too before returning Sunday night to prepare for their Sept. 3 season opener at No. 9 Oklahoma State.

"So myself and every assistant coach will be sending these guys texts all weekend — just simple things like, ‘Have a great weekend; be smart,’ " Hudspeth said. "Just constant reminders, from all sides, reminding these guys they’ve invested way too much to blow everything in a heat-of-the-moment decision."

The card, though, may be what hits home most.

It’s designed to educate, to promote responsible thinking and to be perused in an instant — especially at a time of potential weakness.

"They can pull it out for eight seconds," the head coach said, "and read those core values."

Values like respect for women and honesty.

"It’s just to make them stop," Hudspeth said, "and pause for a second.

"I want it with them all of the time.’