I won't link the page I got this story from, they posted personal information on Spann.
Mr. Antwain Joquan Spann
Nickname: Twain
Spann changes focus
Cajun safety faces pass-happy offense this time around
Bruce Brown
[email protected]
September 23, 2004
LAFAYETTE — Antwain Spann knows how to adjust on the run.
That ability has made the 6-foot, 185-pound senior a valuable asset to UL Lafayette's football program since his arrival from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in 2003.
Spann
played cornerback last season and is now at free safety for the Ragin' Cajuns, symbolically changing his jersey number from 35 to 6 this fall.
Now, after three weeks of facing teams that relied on the ground game, he and his teammates in the secondary will be switching gears when the Cajuns host pass-happy Middle Tennessee this Saturday in the Sun Belt Conference opener.
“We're not really going to do anything different," Spann said after Wednesday's practice. “We still have to concentrate on our assignments. The safeties will be playing deeper this week because Middle Tennessee likes to throw the ball.
“We have to make sure we execute, that's all."
Middle Tennessee boasts one of the best receivers in the country in Kerry Wright, and the Cajuns are counting on a busy night from the Blue Raiders after battling star running backs like Ryan Moats and Darren Sproles in two games on the road at Louisiana Tech and Kansas State.
“We know this week we're going to be tested in the air," Spann said. “I think we've got a pretty good secondary. We've got good depth. As long as we come to play, I know we can play with anybody."
Spann was less certain about the switch from the corner, where he made 30 tackles and intercepted two passes in 11 games for the Cajuns in 2003.
“At first, I didn't like it, to be honest with you," Spann said. “But, I did it to help the team. Moving to free safety instead of strong safety means I get to play the ball more. I can read the quarterback's eyes and see the lane he steps out in."
There's another plus to roaming the middle of the field and playing the ball. Interceptions are nice, but a big hit trumps pickoffs.
“Popping someone over the middle is more fun than an interception," Spann said. “You get a type of energy from it. The whole team can feed off of that."
That's a subtle red flag for Wright and other Blue Raiders receivers who cross Cajun Field this weekend.
“They work the short game, and they like to get the ball into Wright's hands," Spann said. “They mostly stay with the short passes, but they will take us deep occasionally."
“Their quarterback is one of the top guys in the country in completion percentage and Kerry Wright is one of the best wide receivers in the country," UL safeties coach Tim Rebowe said.
“They like to spread the field and throw the ball around a lot more than what we have faced so far. The problem is, Wright is not the only receiver you have to stop. They have a lot of weapons and I think they are going to try to run the ball on us as well.
“It's going to be a big challenge for our defense and a big challenge for our secondary. We've taken some different reps in practice this week. The scout team has given us different looks and formations. It's been the same type of practice, but we've seen some different looks."
As for the new challenge for Spann and other defensive backs, Rebowe said, “It's not like the other teams haven't thrown the ball on us at all. We also have to go against our offense in practice every day and you know how they can throw the ball.
“Communication is big. Everyone on our back row needs to be on the same page. We've had some big hits, run to the ball and tackled well. I think we can tackle better, but we have some good depth that can keep us fresh."
With the game starting Sun Belt action, the Cajuns are having no trouble concentrating this week.
“Everybody is focused," Spann said. “We have a good team. We just have to clean up our mistakes. We believe we can compete. Winning in the Sun Belt will come down to whoever comes to play every Saturday. It's going to be a battle, week in and week out.
“We made some mistakes against Kansas State that hurt us, but everybody is talking about winning. We want to win the Sun Belt."
Spann and the Cajuns can take their first step in that direction on Saturday.
Injury Update
Chad Bordelon, shoulder (out for season), Jerrell Carter, hip (probable), Terryl Fenton, back (probable), Tony Hills, ankle (probable), Lawrence Johnson, ankle (probable), Eugene Kwarteng, chest (probable), Lamar Morgan, knee (out).
©The Lafayette Daily Advertiser
September 23, 2004
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http://www.nlscouting.com/update040505.htm
UL-LAFAYETTE (April 1st/March 10th) senior defensive back/return man ANTWAIN SPANN (#6) has drawn a lot of "Under-the-Radar" attention... has been timed in the mid-to-high 4.4 range... very athletic... played mostly free safety as a senior, but being evaluated mostly as a cornerback... aggressive... pretty good tackler for his size... also shows some explosiveness when given the chance to return kickoffs... recorded 68 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, four interceptions and nine pass breakups, as a senior... led the team with four interceptions, also returned one for a touchdown and averaged 22.2 yards on returns of those interceptions... averaged 27.2 yards per kickoff return in limited chances (four)... had six interceptions and 15 pass breakups over the past two years... scored a pair of touchdowns on turnovers... weighs 5112, 188 pounds... transferred from Mississippi Gulf Coast CC... California native.
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http://www.bigblueinteractive.com/draft/draftr05.htm
CB Antwain Spann (6-1, 185lbs, 4.48, Louisiana-Lafayette): Spann played his final two seasons at Louisiana-Lafayette after transferring from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Has experience at both free safety and cornerback. In 2004, Spann started all 11 games and had 68 tackles (36 solo), a team-high four interceptions (including one he returned 31 yards for a touchdown), 1.5 tackles for losses, and nine pass breakups. He also returned four kickoffs for 109 yards, a 27.2-yard average. Spann was also invited to partipate in the Colts' mini-camp at the end of April. Athletic and aggressive. Good tackler.
