UL coach Michael Desormeaux saw the progress in December and then one more time in February, but he intentionally has avoided peeks at the newly renovated Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium since.
“I was blown away at what it is,” Desormeaux said of his last visit. “But I said, ‘I don’t want to see anymore until it’s done.’ ”
Saturday is that day.
“On the 16th, we’re going to set up a tour for the team to go see it,” Desormeaux said. “It’s going to be like Christmas. You walk in and it’s something that's hard to believe is ours.
“It’s something that’s really special. I’m excited to get in there and go see the finished product.”
Redshirt senior Terrence Williams has heard about the plans for the stadium renovation since his days of being recruited, so Saturday will be a real treat for him.
“It’s going to be very exciting to see,” he said. “As players, you know, we haven't seen it yet. We've just seen the outside and how good it looks from the outside and seeing it lit up at night.
“That's been a great experience, but to see the inside of it and actually be able to see it when it's done, it's going to be very exciting.”
Dubose ready to go
A year ago, injuries took a toll on the depth at cornerback, and it limited what first-year defensive coordinator Jim Salgado could do with the group.
The plan this season is to be more aggressive at the position. A big part of that new approach is 6-foot, 185-pound redshirt junior Lorenzell Dubose.
“I feel like this year is really the year I have a lot to prove that I can be the best in the Sun Belt,” Dubose said. “In the spring, the coaches talked a lot about maybe being able to attack and play more press coverage than they did last year.”
Dubose said he’s much more confident in his ability to play press coverage.
“That's pretty much the main thing I've been trying to work on, so I can challenge more balls and to basically just contest a lot of catches,” said Dubose, who was credited with 11 tackles, one pass breakup and 1.5 stops behind the line in 13 games as a reserve last season. “I’ve been working on that for the longest, and it’s going to show up this season.”
Dubose gives credit to former UL cornerback Keyon Martin for helping him develop. Taking Martin’s place at one starting cornerback spot is Richmond transfer Trae Tomlinson.
“Yeah, that's my guy,” Dubose said of Tomlinson. “Ever since he came in, he's just been working. He's a very hard worker. He's always doing extra to get better. He's a leader. He's been leading the young guys. He's just a great guy.”
Cambre's lasting impact
Dalen Cambre still is an influence on the UL Ragin’ Cajuns.
The wide receiver and special teams standout currently is in camp with the New York Giants after signing with the NFC East club shortly after the NFL draft concluded in April.
But his diligence to details and approach to being the best teammate possible are still being utilized by the UL coaching staff.
When offensive coordinator Tim Leger was asked how tough it’s going to be to feed so many mouths in the receiver room, he had a quick response. It started with the unit’s chemistry and the example that Cambre left behind.
“Dalen is a guy who had 10 career catches,” Leger said. “Yet he’s still in an NFL camp, right, and he’s got a really good chance to make that team. So it’s not always about how many balls you catch. It’s about when you get on the field. If you play at a really high level, people are going to notice.”
