Louisiana at Lafayette’s Albrecht bringing strong leg against Huskers

University of Louisiana at Lafayette's football coach Rickey Bustle was actually happy with his team following last week's 31-3 loss to Louisiana State University. Bustle wasn't happy about his team's performance; rather, he was encouraged by his team's attitude.

"They were visibly upset because they felt they should have played a better game," Bustle said. "I have been in the locker room before when they felt OK with the way they played. This team was not like that – they will not accept that, and I like that frame of mind."

As Bustle prepares his 2-1 Ragin' Cajuns for their game Saturday against Nebraska, he has noticed the culture around Lafayette football has changed. He said his team's expectations for themselves have grown each week, dating back to last season.

"It's a mindset that we're not going to accept shallow comings," Bustle said. "We're not going to take moral victories. We're going there to win and playing the game to win."

The LSU game was the first loss of the season for the Cajuns, who, a week prior, had made headlines for upsetting Kansas State University at home.

A 48-yard field goal by kicker Tyler Albrecht, on his first career attempt, was the difference in Lafayette's 17-15 win. It was the Cajuns' first win over a BCS conference school since 1996, when Lafayette defeated Texas A&M.

Albrecht said he tried to not let the pressure of the moment weigh on him. He processed the result in his head before he produced it.

"I was just telling myself that it was just another kick," Albrecht said. "Before I went out, I closed my eyes and imagined it going through the uprights. I imagined everything going just as we'd practiced."

Even after a week and a half, Albrecht's still happy about the kick.

"It was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime event," Albrecht said. "I'm just happy I could come through for this university and this town. In preseason camp, we talked about how this town has been looking for a win like that and team like this. I was happy to be a part of it."

Bustle said Albrecht's early success has assured the kicker of his own talent. 

"Making the kick against Kansas State has built his confidence, and I think for him that's what he needed," Bustle said. "He's always had a strong leg, but it wasn't as accurate as I wanted it to be."

In the LSU game, it was Albrecht that put up the team's only points. It was another achievement for the junior, who nearly didn't play for the Cajuns.

Albrecht's senior year of high school coincided with Hurricane Katrina. He attended Holy Cross, a catholic high school in New Orleans. When Katrina hit, he and his family evacuated, leaving his school and his newly won punting job behind.

"After the hurricane hit, it was a lot worse than I thought it would be," Albrecht said. "It didn't really hit me until I had to find a new school to be able to play football."

Albrecht found St. Thomas More Catholic High School in Lafayette. Albrecht signed up himself and his little brother for school first and then inquired about the football team.

"They asked me what I played, and I told them kicker and punter, and they moved me to the front of the waiting list," Albrecht said. "I hadn't even gone to school there, and I got to play in the game that Friday."

Albrecht finished the season with 12 field goals for St. Thomas More and earned first-team Class 4A honors. After the first semester, Albrecht transferred back to Holy Cross and graduated in the spring.

Albrecht doesn't hold a grudge or even complain about what he went through. After all, it helped lead him to playing for the Cajuns.

"It happened for a reason," Albrecht said. "God works in mysterious ways, and I truly believe that now. It worked out for the best."

MIKESCHAEFER@DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM