Upon learning ULs opponent for Saturdays 2:30 p.m. First Responder Bowl in Dallas on ABC, the first thought for many around the Ragin Cajuns program was thats where defensive coordinator Patrick Toney came to Cajun Country from a few years ago.

Unfortunately, we won't really know his feelings about how cool this bowl matchup is for him.

The way much of college football works these days, however, assistant coaches are off limits to the media.

Oh, maybe a zoom call once or twice in a year perhaps, but nothing that allows you to dig deep into a coach's psyche at all.

Throughout the season, however, were given glimpses of Toneys value to ULs program by those around him. Statements from coach Billy Napier and his players allow us to know Toney a little more than say UTSAs current defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix or safeties coach Jess Loepp.

One personality trait seems to be his aggressiveness.

As if the UL Ragin Cajuns didnt have enough of a chip on their shoulders, the All-Sun Belt team notably light on Cajuns players was rele

Safety Bralen Trahan hinted at it when he said, We talk about it every week, Get turnovers, Get turnovers, Youre going to turn over the game.

But linebacker Ferrod Gardner peeled back another layer to that general philosophy by detailing the mindset behind Toneys heavy emphasis on that goal.

Coach Toney always preaches to us takeaways, he said. Its not turnovers. Theyre called takeaways because were taking the ball away. Thats something we work on on defense.

Perhaps thats why Toney opened some eyes early in his career at Sam Houston State when he led helped that Bearkats defense force 24 turnovers, including 17 interceptions.

Another part of Toneys approach is being relentless and always reaching for new heights.

In the last game, we had three interceptions, Gardner said earlier this season, but we didnt have any forced fumbles. So Im going to take it upon myself this game to try and get that done.

Perhaps thats why the Southeastern Lions secondary ranked No. 1 nationally in the FCS in pass efficiency defense, second in interceptions and fifth in red zone defense in 2013-14.

On a different note, Napier revealed earlier this season that he can tell how nervous Toney is by how many empty cans of soda are on his desk during long film study sessions.

OK, so aggressive, relentless and perhaps a bit obsessive.

Like most coaches, Toney has his unique saying and motivational tactics to get his players to perform and reach goals.

The UL Ragin Cajuns will be heading to the 10th bowl in school history to face Texas-San Antonio in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl in Dalla

Like junior cornerback Eric Garror revealed earlier this season, Toney is big on junction points isolated situations during the course of a game where one of his defenders is essentially put in a one-on-one situation and must win that battle for the good of the team overall.

We take that to heart and we do great with that, Garror said. We do drills in practice to get better at that and we just go into the game and execute.

Perhaps thats why Toney helped UTSAs Roadrunners reach the first bowl in programs history in 2016 while his safeties combined for 282 yards, 15.5 stops for losses and 20 pass break-ups.

No catchy slogan, however, works over the long haul without displaying consistent leadership throughout the year.

Redshirt junior Jalen Johnson gave us a glimpse into Toneys leadership qualities last month.

Its starts from the safety spot, weve got to hold everybody accountable, Johnson said of Toneys actual position group. Were doing a really good job with that this year.

Perhaps thats why the Cajuns defense is only allowing 21.8 points a game with 15 interceptions in 10 games so far this season.

Veteran linebacker Joe Dillon has been around this program since 2015 and has played under multiple defensive coordinators during that time. He knows what UL has in its 30-year-old first-year coordinator.

You just have to know Toney, Dillon said. Hes one of them guys that you would like to play for. You would want to go out on the frontlines for him, because he would do the same for you. The last DC was like that as well, Toney hes more of a relatable type of person in a way.

Perhaps that's why first-year starter at linebacker Lorenzo McCaskill is one of the nation's leaders with 72 tackles in 10 games.

Perhaps we shouldnt have been caught off guard so badly.

Under Toneys leadership, new players on the scene like redshirt sophomore cornerback Mekhi Garner have begun to realize their potential, thanks to a new mindset.

I controlled my opportunity, Garner said of his breakthrough season with 24 tackles, three interceptions and seven pass breakups. Thats all it was. Im still trying to get better, though. At the end of the App. game, it wasnt my best game. I just need to watch film and do what I can do to be better for my team.

And longtime reserves, like redshirt senior Cameron Solomon, has shined both as a starter when called upon as well as in a safety rotation.

I feel like our whole defense can play, Solomon said. Even the freshmen we brought in. Weve got an outstanding defense and offense to be honest. All of us can play, so when one person goes down, its really no worries. We know the next man will do his job, because all of us can play.

Indeed, from the outside looking in, Toney doesnt appear to be a guy looking for the easy way out. Perhaps thats why the defense has maintained focus despite the coronavirus pandemic shutting down operation just one week after Toney was named as ULs new defensive architect after Ron Roberts left for Baylor.

Its why the defense bailed out the offense's slow starts for much of the season.

As a defense, really as a whole team, we uplift each other, Solomon said. So like the offense comes out and they dont get the job they want, we just like to talk to each other and be like, Its OK. Were going to come out and do this for yall. Keep your heads up.

Were going to get a three-and-out and yall get the ball back and go score.

So when Toney walks on the field at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on Saturday, there will be members of both programs that know him better than many of us do.

Most of his talking, though, will be done by ULs defense on the field once the ball is kicked off.

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Foote: Toney's highly touted Cajuns' defense ready to do his talking for him - The Advocate