Cajuns’ Napier familiar with MSU

LAFAYETTE — Billy Napier is quite familiar with UL Lafayette’s opponent this week, No. 16 Mississippi State, from his past experience working on the Alabama coaching staff. 

The Cajuns’ first-year head coach will bring his squad, fresh off an early bye week, to Starkville to take on the Bulldogs Saturday at Davis Wade Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m.

“It seems like just yesterday that Mississippi State was ranked No. 1 in the country,” Napier said, referring to the 2014 season. “Coach Mullen (now at Florida) did a good job of recruiting and evaluating players. They have a good-looking, big, physical roster.

“Coach (Joe) Moorhead inherited a team with 29 seniors. Most people think this is the best Mississippi State team they’ve had in the last eight to 10 years. We’re going against an SEC opponent in a very formidable environment, having been there myself a couple of times in the past.”

The Ragin’ Cajuns (1-0) will have their hands full with MSU quarterback Nick Fitzgerald, who helped the Bulldogs pile up a gaudy 538 yards last week at Kansas State. Fitzgerald, who was making his season debut after serving a one-game suspension in the opener vs. Stephen F. Austin, threw for 154 yards and two touchdowns and gained 159 yards rushing.

“Mississippi State has a good football team,” Napier said. “I think everybody saw that, as they went on the road and beat a good team in Kansas State in a quality road environment. Nick Fitzgerald is a big, athletic guy who is hard to tackle. He does a good job of throwing completions and taking what the defense gives him.

“The main thing, though, is that the guy is experienced. He’s been in some big games, been very productive, and I think you can see he’s kind of started where he left off last year. He’s in his final year — a team captain who is well-respected. He’s a great player and will be a great challenge for our players.” 

Napier told his team to adopt the mindset of a prizefighter.

“The message to the team yesterday was that all the boxers want to be ready,” he said. “You know, when the music is playing, the lights are flashing and you’re walking down the aisle to get into the ring, you want to be ready to compete, but the work is done way before then, so we have to do the work. 

“I think our players and staff have done a good job of maximizing our time relative to the bye week. We got quality work done two days last week on some future opponents. We went back to a training camp format in practice for two additional days, and then we turned the page to Mississippi State last Thursday.”

Napier has been impressed with what he’s seen from his team the past two weeks.

“I liked the intensity, detail and attention to urgency that our players have shown in practice,” he said. “We’ve really got our hands full with a highly-regarded veteran football team in Mississippi State. Obviously, the keynote players are their quarterback and their front seven on defense. They’re going to present a number of challenges.”

The MSU defense has been particularly stingy, yielding only 95 yards rushing per game and recording eight sacks and 25 tackles for loss.

“Their defensive line is really a great group that they inherited,” Napier said. “This front seven is not only talented, they’re deep. They play a number of players and there’s not much drop-off. Certainly, NFL people think highly of their defensive line. They’re massive inside and have a lot of length on the edge. 

“The linebackers are playing very well and the coordinator that they have, Coach (Bob) Shoop, is very established. He has them playing aggressive and fast. I got to know (junior defensive tackle) Jeffrey Simmons when I was at Alabama. I recruited him. He’s one of the best players in the country.” 

In addition to Fitzgerald, the Cajuns will have to contend with running back Kylin Hill, who torched the Kansas State defense for 211 yards.

“You have to stop the run usually to win and it will be no different Saturday,” Napier said. “The Hill kid is off to a good start for them. I know our players are excited about competing against the best.

“The good thing about this team is that they played on the road against two SEC opponents last year, and they experienced some success in the first half against Texas A&M. I think they were ahead when they went into the locker room (for halftime). They’ve kind of been in these battles before and know what to expect.”