Three months after the team’s first bowl appearance since 1970 and the first win in this generation, the UL Ragin’ Cajuns football faithfuls came out to see the New Orleans Bowl champions in the annual Red and White spring game Saturday.

For those in attendance it was a chance to celebrate the past year and eagerly hope for more success in the coming season.

"This year there are higher expectations than we are used to," UL student Derek Menard said. "Football season used to be just to party, but now we get to party and watch a winning football team."

He and his fellow "Da Peppa Pit" tailgating crew said they were amazed and overjoyed with last season’s climb to a bowl game, but, after that victory, they said they wanted more.

"I hope we embarrass every (opponent) this year," Chris Gallo said.

"A Sun Belt championship is the one thing we didn’t get last year," Corey Hardy added. "I want a conference championship this year."

Fellow tailgaters said they were not only excited to see winning football in Acadiana, but they too said they wanted a conference title after UL suffered several upsets in the last few seasons.

"We lost to Western Kentucky during homecoming," Dustin Judice said.

But he added he and his friends are pleased with UL’s recent success, and they said they hoped it becomes a continuing trend.

"I’m hoping for another bowl game," Kevin Judice said. "I wasn’t expecting a bowl game last year."

"This last year it was amazing to be involved," Lane David added. "A Sun Belt title would be great."

Every fan did agree on one facet of UL’s new season, saying even though a game had not been played yet, UL already had one victory in keeping Coach Mark Hudspeth at the helm for at least one more season.

After an offseason filled with rumors that the almost folk hero of a coach would leave for a more lucrative position, he announced his intent to stay with the Cajuns, to the relief of many.

"I was kind of nervous there for a little while because it’s kind of a big deal," David said.

"We want him for as long as we can have him," Hardy said.

With their beloved coach in place, UL fans said they could use the opportunity to look to the future and once again cheer on the Ragin’ Cajuns. It is a Saturday practice that has become popular Lafayette.

"When we first got here no one knew the team," Hardy said.

Now the tailgating team said they are seeing a sea of red in the city and on UL’s campus, which is a welcome sight after decades of lackluster seasons.

Tailgating team member Dean Bouzigard said it is great to see the stands of Cajun Field filled for each game, and he said this year he was hoping for a "signature win" to solidify support for the team.

William Early joked that fan support has become a problem because he know has to wait in line for tickets to the game, a problem he said he was more than happy to deal with.

"I’ve never had to wait in line for the games until last season," Bouzigard said. "I guess that’s a good thing."

Fans at Saturday’s scrimmage said it is indeed a good thing to be a Cajuns fan right now, and they said they are hoping to still hold a little magic from last season’s miraculous last-minute bowl game victory.

"It’s always a good time out here," Early said, "it’s like Christmas in July."

Athletic Network Footnote: 

Click here for video of Cajun Walk.

Click here for digital pictures photo gallery of Spring Game.