LAFAYETTE — Sitting out a redshirt season at UL-Lafayette was difficult for former Catholic High standout Matthew Desormeaux last year.

Now with a chance to contribute as a fullback and on special teams, Desormeaux is glad he is heading into this season with four more years of eligibility for the Ragin’ Cajuns football team.

“During the season it was real tough,” said Desormeaux, who has put on about 30 pounds of weight since high school. “Now I’m real glad it happened. I have four more years. I know the offense much better.”

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The extra time in the weight room hasn’t hurt his speed any, either. Desormeaux said his 40-yard dash time this year was the best it’s been since getting to the school.

Desormeaux, whose older brother Michael will start at quarterback for the Ragin’ Cajuns this year, headed into the fall behind senior Abdule Levier and junior Chancellor Robinson on the depth chart at fullback. Yet coach Rickey Bustle had encouraging words at media day last Sunday.

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“A young running back I think is going to play quite a bit is Matt Desormeaux,” said Bustle when asked if any freshmen would get a chance to play this year. “He’s really worked himself into that position.”

Just getting back out and competing again on the field will be a big enough reward for Desormeaux.

“I guess the best part is I get to play football and I get a good education,” said Desormeaux of his college choice. “Plus it’s close to family. I’m real close to home.

“I knew I wanted to come here, but if it hadn’t worked out, I would’ve gone wherever I had to go to play.”

Fortunately for him, he didn’t have to make that choice. Still, not playing last season was no easy task as the Cajuns struggled in Sun Belt Conference play and finished the year 6-6 overall and 3-3 in conference.

“It was tough but I knew the guys out there playing were probably better than me at the time, so I couldn’t really contribute much,” said Desormeaux.

This year he hopes to contribute, and to help the Ragin’ Cajuns claim a conference championship, “then make it to a bowl for the first time in a long time.”

UL-Lafayette hasn’t been to a bowl since the 1970 Grantland Rice Bowl in Baton Rouge, just missing out on the New Orleans Bowl in 2005, which annually features the Sun Belt Conference champion.00040000000A000000020�94D
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