Mark Hudspeth On App State And Loss To NMSU [VIDEO]

It's put up or shut up time for Mark Hudspeth's Ragin' Cajuns, and a tough trip to Appalachian State sits on the rocky path ahead.

Not only is the terrain in Boone mountainous, so is the journey for the Cajuns if they want to reach bowl eligibility. A loss to the Mountaineers would effectively squash their last hopes of postseason play, and Hudspeth knows how to fire up his troops.

"Still being in bowl contention gives these guys something to fight for," Hudspeth said. He then later added that it's not their effort he's working on, but their focus. "We're not going to work any harder...we practice fast, we practice tough. Sometimes you have to practice smarter."

Looking back at the New Mexico State loss, Hudspeth said the team simply didn't finish. He thought the defense regressed, but there was a silver lining: Jamal Robinson had a second straight dominant performance and Elijah McGuire got going.

Hud said McGuire looked like "the Eli of old," and Robinson is doing a great job of showing the NFL scouts what he's capable of when 100% healthy. Hud loves the changes in Robinson this season.

"He's sort of rededicated himself to doing better," Hudspeth said. "He's working hard, and he has a great attitude."

Robinson and McGuire will be heavily involved in the gameplan, and they will need to help the Cajuns keep stride with an App State offense that leads the Sun Belt in scoring.

App State's Quarterback Tyler Lamb understands the game, and he knows how to make defenses pay.

"He's a coach's son," Hudspeth said. "There's something about those coach's sons at quarterback."

On top of breaking down a dangerous matchup with the Mountaineers, Hudspeth spoke on the issues the Cajuns experienced developing chemistry. With all the injuries and moving pieces, it's been difficult to get the same unit on the same page at one moment in time.

Take a minute or two to listen to the whole press conference and give yourself the full context behind his quotes. Sometimes when you just read the quotes and clippings, you miss the tone and small details of the coach. Let Hud tell you all about this season, Cajun Nation.