Photo by Benjamin Massey/Courtesy of Louisiana Athletics; Logos via sportslogos.net
The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns defeated the South Alabama Jaguars 28-26 on Saturday night at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium. With the win Louisiana improved to six-and-three on the year and three-and-two in conference play.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
South Alabama won the toss and deferred to the second half. Peyton Argent (#38) kicked off to Louisiana’s #20, who took it up the right sideline for a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown.
South Alabama fumbled the ensuing kickoff but recovered and began its opening drive at its own 23-yard line. PJ Martin broke off a 26-yard run up the middle for a big gain for the Jaguars.
After a few plays and a false start, the Jaguars’ drive stalled, forcing them to punt back to the Cajuns.
Louisiana couldn’t get much going on its first offensive possession. Lunch Winfield completed a few passes to KeDarius Wade and JJ Garner, but after picking up just one first down, the Cajuns were forced to punt.
South Alabama’s offense picked up the pace on its next possession, driving all the way to the Louisiana 2-yard line. The Cajuns looked poised to make a goal-line stand, but on fourth-and-goal, Bishop Davenport rolled out to his right on a bootleg and ran into the end zone to tie the game at 7.
To open the second quarter, facing second-and-5 from their own 35-yard line, Winfield handed it off to Garner, who split the defense up the middle for a 65-yard touchdown run.
The Cajuns had now opened both the first and second quarters with touchdowns, taking a 14-7 lead.
South Alabama responded with a strong kickoff return to its own 42-yard line, but a solid defensive effort from Louisiana, highlighted by a Lance Williams tackle in the backfield on third down, forced a three-and-out.
With the ball back, Anthony Regan Jr. broke off a 26-yard run for the Cajuns but took a hard fall along the South Alabama sideline and had to be helped off the field.
Later in the drive, facing first-and-10 from the South Alabama 36-yard line, Jaylen Moson intercepted Winfield’s pass and returned it 64 yards for a pick-six, tying the game at 14.
Louisiana went right back to work on its next possession. Winfield and Steven Blanco picked up yards on the ground before Winfield found a wide-open Caden Jensen, who took the ball down to the South Alabama 14-yard line. One play later, Winfield kept it himself and rushed into the left side of the end zone to put Louisiana back on top, 21-14.
South Alabama got the ball back late in the first half, but the Cajuns’ defense held firm once again, forcing the Jaguars to settle for a 44-yard field goal.
Louisiana regained possession with 1:13 remaining and no timeouts, but the Cajuns couldn’t get anything going before halftime.
At the break, Louisiana led South Alabama 21-17.
Despite the pick-six, Winfield was efficient through the air in the first half, completing 8 of 10 passes for 85 yards. He also added 44 rushing yards and a touchdown. Garner had an impressive first half of his own, racking up 84 yards on just four carries, including his 65-yard touchdown run.
South Alabama received the opening kickoff of the third quarter, but the Jaguars struggled to move the ball and went three-and-out.
On Louisiana’s next possession, Garner broke off another big run, this time for 23 yards. However, the Cajuns’ offense stalled near midfield, forcing a punt.
Late in the third quarter, facing a drive from their own 19-yard line, Winfield connected with Trenton Chaney for a 35-yard gain, moving the Cajuns into South Alabama territory.
A few plays later, Winfield rolled out to escape pressure and found Shelton Sampson Jr. in the back-right corner of the end zone for a 27-yard touchdown pass, giving Louisiana the first points of the second half and extending its lead to 28-17.
It took South Alabama just two plays to respond. Starting from its own 11-yard line, Davenport connected with Brendan Jenkins for a 44-yard gain. On the following play, Davenport kept the ball on a run to the right and broke free for a 45-yard touchdown.
The Jaguars elected to go for two, but Davenport was stopped short by a wall of Cajuns defenders, keeping Louisiana ahead by five.
At the end of three quarters, Louisiana led 28-23.
In the fourth quarter, South Alabama drove into Louisiana territory and faced third-and-5 from the Cajuns’ 22-yard line. However, back-to-back false starts pushed the Jaguars into a third-and-15 situation from the 32.
On third down, Davenport nearly threw an interception to Maurion Eleam, but the pass fell incomplete. South Alabama then sent out Dylan Freebury, who connected on a 50-yard field goal to cut Louisiana’s lead to 28-26.
With the ball back, Louisiana began chewing up the clock. Behind runs from Winfield, Blanco and Garner, the Cajuns worked their way into South Alabama territory before sending out Tony Sterner for a 40-yard field goal attempt.
Sterner’s kick hooked left and bounced off the upright, leaving the score at 28-26.
South Alabama took over with a chance to grab the lead. After several unsuccessful runs, the Jaguars faced fourth-and-5 and appeared to be running out of chances. However, Davenport found Micah Woods for a 23-yard gain, keeping the drive alive.
On the first play of the new set of downs, Jake St. Andre sacked Davenport for a loss. On the very next play, Micah Johnson intercepted Davenport, sealing the victory for Louisiana.
BIG NUMBER: 312
Louisiana as a team rushed for 312 yards against South Alabama. Lunch Winfield, JJ Garner, and Steven Blanco each had over 50 yards rushing on the night.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Lunch Winfield
Quarterback Lunch Winfield had another stellar performance for the Cajuns’ offense. In the air he went 10-14 for 147 yards and one touchdown and one interception. On the ground he ran for 136 yards on 10 carries and another touchdown.
UP NEXT: The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns will travel to Monroe to face the ULM Warhawks this Thursday, November 12th. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 P.M.
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