Mark Hudspeth Press Conference: App State [VIDEO]

After two straight losses in overtime, it's Mark Hudspeth's job to find answers. Not only does he have to find answers to their issues, he has to find answers for the media and fans' questions.

In his weekly press conference, Coach Hud addressed the heartbreaking overtime losses, a massive matchup with Appalachian State in the Sun Belt Conference, and unfortunately, two season ending injuries.

Sophomore defensive lineman LaDarrius Kidd is done for the season after suffering a broken ankle, and the same injury subsequently ended senior quarterback Jalen Nixon's career.

“It breaks my heart to let you know that Jalen Nixon played his last game as a Ragin’ Cajun,” Hud announced. He still hopes one of his favorite players sticks around though, “I’m hoping one day he can coach for me.”

Health-wise, they weren't the only hobbled players heading into an extended break.

Luckily, the rest of the injured players are expected to return to full health. Running backs Elijah McGuire and Raymond Calais will rest up and rush the ball against Appalachian State, and safety Travis Crawford is set to terrorize the Mountaineers from his safety position. The injury to Nixon does more than take him off the field though, it also shakes up the depth chart.

Hudspeth said Jordan Davis is slated as the number two QB, and Dion Ray is behind him. That leaves Anthony Jennings in charge of the offense. Coach Hud benched the LSU transfer after a poor first half performance against New Mexico State. His pick-six was a back-breaker, but Hud isn't ready to yank him and put the ball in Davis' hands.

When Hudspeth confronted Jennings about his costly turnovers, he didn't dodge responsibility.

"That was all rushing decisions," Hudspeth explained. "When I asked him, he took ownership."

Turnovers can sink a ship in a hurry. The captain plotting the Cajuns' course realizes what's leading them astray.

"The first two games of the year, we had zero turnovers, eight straight quarters," Hudspeth stated. "The last two games we had seven."

The numbers don't lie. When you lose the turnover battle, you typically lose the game.

Hudspeth isn't going to throw Jennings to the side though. Similarly to kicker Stevie Artigue earlier in the season, he's going to let him ride through the tough period. After Artigue's rough start, he smoothed things out and hit seven straight field goals. Hudspeth said he was "cool as a cucumber" on a 47-yard field goal to tie the game against the Aggies, and he hopes Jennings comes back with ice water in his veins as well.

What's more painful, losing in overtime or getting blown out? There's no clear answer, but Coach Hud knows his team isn't getting outclassed.

"We're not getting whipped, we're taking teams to overtime," Coach Hud pointed out. "We're just a play or two away from being 4-1."

The reality is, their record sits at 2-3 and 1-1 in Sun Belt play. A loss to Appalachian State wouldn't be a death blow, but it would be a crippling hit to their momentum so early in the season.

Rest will benefit his team's health, but the same can be said for the Mountaineers. Their primary back, Marcus Cox, spent the last few weeks on the sidelines. Just like Hudspeth's star, McGuire, Cox is expected to return during the ten day break.

In Cox's absence, Jalin Moore emerged as a viable threat in the backfield. Now, the Mountaineers have a two-pronged attack to jab the Cajuns' defense with. Cox is the stud, but he's clearly not Hudspeth's only concern.

"We're anticipating seeing him, and both the backs," Hudspeth said. "They're outstanding. They don't miss a beat."

Will Hudspeth's team change the beat of their season and start marching forward to a different rhythm? Cajun Nation surely hopes so.