The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns pulled away in the second half at Cajun Field to earn a hard-fought 34-24 victory over the Appalachian State Mountaineers. With the victory, the Ragin’ Cajuns improved to 5-1 overall and 2-0 in Sun Belt Conference play.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
App State’s first offensive drive saw the Mountaineers attack the middle of the field with the passing game with three straight completions between the hash marks. Louisiana’s defense held and forced back-to-back incompletions to force the Mountaineers to punt.
After being forced to punt on its opening drive, Louisiana put points on the board on its second drive. The highlight of the drive was a 28-yard pass from Ben Wooldridge to Lance Legendre. The drive stalled and the Ragin’ Cajuns had to settle for a 32-yard field goal by Kenneth Alemendares.
App State got on the scoreboard in the second quarter and did so with a methodical scoring drive where the Mountaineers ran 13 plays for 77 yards, with Kanye Roberts carrying the ball 10 times for 68 yards. The drive was capped the drive with Joey Aguilar finding David Larkins open in the corner of the end zone for a one-yard touchdown.
Louisiana needed little time to respond as the Ragin’ Cajuns scored on their first play of the ensuing drive, as Wooldridge found an open Terrance Carter for a 74-yard touchdown.
The Ragin’ Cajuns’ defense stepped up with a game-changing play.
After the offense was forced to punt, App State’s Aguilar tried to throw the ball deep to Kaedin Robinson but Louisiana’s Tyree Skipper picked it off and returned it 16 yards.
Wooldridge hit Legendre and Carter on back-to-back passes to get the ball down the 11-yard line. A pair of rushing plays got them to the four-yard line but a false start backed them back to the eight-yard line. Wooldridge then found former St. Martinville High star Harvey Broussard in the back of the end zone for an eight-yard touchdown.
App State answered with a 10-play, 70-yard drive which was capped as Aguilar threw a dump pass to Roberts who broke a few tackles to score on a 15-yard pass. Louisiana was able to move the ball past midfield but Almendares’ 60-yard field goal attempt was wide left.
At the break, Louisiana held a 17-14 lead.
After a quick three-and-out by Louisiana to start the third, App State tied it up with a 44-yard field goal by Jackson Moore.
The Ragin’ Cajuns responded by retaking the lead on a career-long 53-yard field goal by Almendares. With 3:10 left in the third, Louisiana held a 20-17 lead over App State.
Louisiana’s then defense came up with a game-changing play in the fourth.
After giving up a first down on 3rd and 20, K.C. Ossai stripped Roberts of the football and Justin Agu recovered it. He returned it 68 yards and at the end of the return, App State was called for horse collar tackle.
That placed the ball at the eight-yard line. Bill Davis took the handoff but dropped the ball on the turf but thankfully for the Ragin’ Cajuns, Landon Burton recovered in the end zone for a touchdown.
App State responded and marched down the field to make it a one-score game as Aguilar found Eli Wilson open for a 26-yard touchdown. With the extra point, the Mountaineers trailed 27-24 with eight minutes to go.
After App State picked off a deep floater from Woolridge, the Ragin’ Cajuns defense got the ball back as Tyrone Lewis Jr. picked off a pass along the sideline. Louisiana turned that into points as Wooldridge powered his way into the end zone from one yard out.
Lewis Jr. would pick off another App State pass to seal the victory.
BIG NUMBER: 5
The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns defense forced five turnovers on Saturday night, with the Ragin’ Cajuns getting four interceptions and one fumble. Tyree Skipper and Tyrone Lewis Jr. each recorded two picks in the game.
PLAYERS OF THE GAME: TYREE SKIPPER & KENNETH ALMENDARES
Skipper was a standout for the Ragin’ Cajuns defense as he came up with two interceptions and one pass breakup. Almendares meanwhile made 2-of-3 field goals, including a career-long 53-yard kick.
UP NEXT: Louisiana (5-1, 2-0 SBC) will travel to take on Coastal Carolina next Saturday. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m.
