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People SearchFind an individual who either played a sport or was a member of a support group. Search by last name by clicking on the first letter of the person's last name.
Mr. Mark Risher
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Home Phone: 337-993-0059 Risher still standing strong Mark Risher probably started having flashbacks Friday morning. At one point during the 2005 game at Middle Tennessee, the Cajuns were down to three healthy linebackers, and still held the host Blue Raiders to 263 offensive yards in a 13-10 UL victory. That win snapped a three-game loss streak and started a run of five straight wins. Friday looked very similar. In the second period of practice, starting Mike linebacker Brent Burkhalter took a hit and was having vision problems that required exams and a CAT scan, and backup Jantz Theriot went out with a shoulder injury. “Coach (Brent) Pry says that every guy has to prepare like they’re going to start every day,” Risher said. “You never know when the person in front of you’s going to go down.” The practice injuries left the Cajuns with only two of their top six linebackers – Risher and Mack Fair – for the rest of practice. Fortunately, Burkhalter was cleared and able to return for the afternoon practice, and Simon and Green may both play in today’s second scrimmage. “It felt like Middle Tennessee all over again,” Pry said. “The other guys just have to step up, and it helps that they all know more than one position.” Risher started all 11 games last year and has played in 20 straight UL games, but he also had to shift from his normal Sam linebacker spot and play the Mike at times. The three spots have vastly different assignments in the Cajuns’ defensive system. “It’s a difficult process to learn all three positions,” Risher said. “But in the end it really does help because you’re prepared for any circumstance and it can help us as a team. You have to make a lot of adjustments.” Risher was second on the Cajun squad in tackles last season with 59 including five for losses, which ranked third on the team. The former All-Acadiana, All-Parish and All-District selection had 23 tackles in nine games in 2004, tied for the most among the freshman class as part of the depth that Pry strives for in the group. “Sometimes you have to juggle guys around,” Pry said. “Those things happen. We’re fortunate that we’ve got a lot of guys like Mark that are ready to play a couple of spots.” “It’s hard if you have to do it in the middle of a game,” Risher said. “But once you get a couple of snaps you get that sense of comfort and it comes a lot easier. That’s why we work so hard on being ready when things like that happen.” Originally published August 19, 2006 Risher steps into key role August 10, 2005 – Bruce Brown Mark Risher can’t put his finger on why it happened, but he stamped himself as a player to be reckoned with when Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns staged their 2005 spring game. The St. Thomas More product had made steady progress learning the middle linebacker position vacated by standout Stanley Smith, but the spring game was Risher’s breakout performance. “I don’t know what came over me,” Risher said on Tuesday. “For some reason I let everything go and just played. I said it was time to grow up and play ball. “It was especially nice to have it happen in a game-type atmosphere of the spring game. It definitely put some assurance into it.” “The spring game was his coming-out party,” said defensive coordinator Brent Pry. “At that position, I was looking for him to step up and knock ball carriers back, and that’s something I hadn’t seen from him earlier in the spring. “Then he made a conscious effort during the summer to continue to build on that.” The spring game was an eye-opener for a player who had already impressed Pry with his growth in the Cajuns’ scheme. “He brings hustle, effort and great fundamentals,” Pry said. “I give those guys (coaches) at St. Thomas More credit. Pad level, hand placement, he had all those things when he got here.” But there’s more of Risher now to deliver tackles. He arrived at UL weighing 190 pounds and now weighs 235. Since last season alone, he has added 10-15 pounds. That was crucial if Risher was going to succeed Smith, who registered 97 tackles in 2004 and was revered as a team leader. “He brings a lot of athleticism to the position,” Pry said of Risher. “He’s a good athlete for the position. He studies the game and is smart. He’s done a great job getting bigger and adding muscle mass. He’s more physical, and that’s something Stanley gave us.” “I definitely want to be a physical linebacker,” Risher said. “I want to be strong against the run and against the pass, and I want to be very physical.” Smith proved that there was more to the position than size and strength, though, and that’s the next thing Risher wants to master. “Stanley was tough, as well as being a good learner,” Risher said. “When we’d watch film, he would call the plays out. He was always the most prepared player on the field. He was also mentally tough. He proved that by playing with a broken arm.” Risher redshirted in 2003 then played in nine of 11 games last season and totalled 23 tackles in a learning campaign. Now he is part of a solid corps of young veterans that will be key in 2005. “We only have one player in contention to be on our two-deep who has not been with us for at least a year,” Pry said. “We are experienced across the board, although not greatly experienced. “We’ve been able to install a lot. We’re working on finer points instead of the basics because we have that kind of experience.” Standing front and center in that group is Risher, eager to build on last season’s experiences. “I’m comfortable with the game,” Risher said. “My knowledge is better. The game has slowed down for me. I feel thicker and stronger, better able to take on a 300-pound offensive lineman. I can take on those blocks now.” During the spring, Cajun defenders saw more than their share of huge linemen bearing down on them as the offense focused on the running game. Part of that was to improve the Cajuns’ ability to move on the ground, and part was the need to improve UL’s 2004 defensive yield of 213.5 yards per game. “The offense really challenged us in the running game in the spring,” Pry said. “It was a little more smashmouth. They used what we call an ‘ace’ formation, ’12’ personnel – with one back and two tight ends. That’s something we saw last year from Troy, North Texas, Arkansas State and even New Mexico State. “As we went through the year we got better against it, but we needed to see that in the spring.” “The numbers don’t lie,” Risher said. “We weren’t very good against the run last year. (Defending) the passing game was not a weakness, so we did place emphasis on stopping the run.” The Cajuns are sure to see plenty of running plays in the season opener at Texas, and they’ll try to stop it from becoming a Longhorns stampede. But for now they’re more concerned with daily improvement. “We’re not thinking about the schedule,” Risher said. “We’re trying to unify everyone right now. The tempo and attitude have improved. We have unselfish players on defense and offense, working to get their assignments down. “Summer was a turning point for the team, because we pushed each other so hard. Now we’re focused on how to get the new guys on that train really fast.” A freight train hit or two from Mark Risher on the first day of full pads drills should help deliver an idea of what it will take this fall. Originally published August 10, 2005 Risher makes the most of chance to play September 20, 2004 LAFAYETTE — Mark Risher learned a great deal watching Ross Brupbacher play outside linebacker for UL Lafayette last year. But Risher, who was penciled in to take over that spot for the Ragin’ Cajuns when the 2004 season began, has also had to learn patience while healing from offseason shoulder surgery. At times, the forced inactivity was almost too much. So when he finally saw action in last Saturday’s 40-20 loss at Kansas State, registering five tackles in his college debut, the St. Thomas More product was understandably inspired. “It feels like it’s been forever since I was on the field,” Risher said. “To go down that tunnel and hear 50,000 fans screaming, it was really an honor. “It hurts not being able to come away with a win.” Risher was animated on each set of downs he played, exhorting teammates whenever possible and doing his best to get around the ball. “As I got more comfortable, I got more excited,” Risher said. “That’s part of my job, to get my teammates excited out there. Sometimes it’s hard to get them excited when we’re behind.” When the campaign began with a home game at Cajun Field, Risher wasn’t even on the Cajun sidelines. “It was tough sitting in the bleachers for the Northwestern State game,” he said. “I was so antsy, wanting to be out there to help. “But then when I was able to get that first hit on the shoulder in practice, it felt really great.” Expect Risher to have a bigger role in future Cajun games, starting with Saturday’s Sun Belt Conference opener at home against Middle Tennessee. He will be asked to help stem the tide in the opponents’ rushing game, which has powered through the UL defense in the first three contests. Kansas State ran for 393 yards on Saturday, yet the Cajuns are resolved to cut down on that type of total and to make the Sun Belt campaign a special one. “It gets the team to bond together,” Risher said of Saturday’s competitive effort against the Big 12 Conference champions. “We can’t break apart right now. “We did some great things today, but we can always get better.” That’s also true for Risher. “I’m not a freshman any more,” he said. “I’ve got no excuses.”
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