Louisiana head coach Mark Hudspeth previews Saturday's game

Key notes from Mark Hudspeth interview

• We are excited to play our next game. We are 1-1 right now and we haven’t played as well in some areas as we would like, but other place we have been playing really well. We are excited to go to Kyle Field, it’s a spiritual place. It’s a top three place in the country for me. With the tradition, fanbase and success, it’s a great opportunity. We have a lot of players from Texas who can go back and play at the stadium they probably wanted to play in. I reminded them that A&M didn’t offer them so hopefully they have a chip on their shoulder.
  
  
• One of the main things we wanted to do from last year was improve our scoring. This year, we are averaging 46 points a game. We have some weapons, some big tall long receivers. We have been moving the ball offensively and our return game is really good. Defensively, we have some new players so it takes a little longer for those guys to gel and I’m hoping to see some improvement this week.
  
  
• Our quarterback, Jordan Davis, has waited his turn. He’s 6-3 and can run, and he has a good arm. He has really matured in the last year and has a great understanding of our system. He does a nice job of getting the ball to our playmakers. He will definitely have to have the game of his life to give us a chance on Saturday.
  
  
• In A&M, we see a team that has built a 34-point lead against UCLA. They are athletic and fast, Sumlin has done a great job of recruiting. Hats off to him and the players. It’s hard in college football, but that first half is one of the best halves I’ve seen a team play. It will be a huge challenge for us on Saturday, but our players are up for the challenge.
  
  
• It’s hard preparing for two quarterbacks that are different. But, at least you know what you’re getting. One is a good runner and can hurt you with his legs. The other came in and threw the ball extremely well. Sumlin has always been an offensive innovator and I have a lot of respect for him. He has one of the best offensive teams in the country. It will be a tall order for us, but we are ready.
  
  
• We can pull an upset if we believe we can win. We beat them at home in 1996, 29-22. Jake Delhomme was the quarterback and he is speaking to the team today to remind them about that game. My message to my team is that we’ve done it before. We will have to survive the storm early because I’m sure A&M will come out fired up. We have 100,000+ people pulling against us. We need to make plays, improve defensively, take care of the ball and score points to win this game. Our players are excited and we are heading out tomorrow. It will be an exciting game.
  
  
• I have a lot of friends on A&M’s staff. David Turner and I were on the staff on Mississippi State together. Sumlin has good people on his staff, they are outstanding coaches.