The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns return home to the friendly confines of Cajun Field for the first time since October 12 to take on one of their biggest rivals, the Red Wolves of Arkansas State.
The Red Wolves come in with a record of 5-3, but will play spoiler to Louisiana’s undefeated Sun Belt record with a win while also tying themselves with the Cajuns for the lead in the West division.
Kickoff inside Cajun Field at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium is set for 4:00 p.m. Saturday.
RIVALRY RENEWED
This matchup has produced someone electrifying moments in Sun Belt history as this will be the 51st meeting between the two programs. Especially in recent history, this game has typically decided the winner of the Sun Belt West division, with Saturday’s matchup being no different.
USING THE RUNNING GAME
Louisiana has done a really nice job in 2024 of using the running game to open the pass game, which has been their bread and butter as a program. However, in the first two seasons under Michael Desormeaux, it felt like the Cajuns lacked an identity offensively.
This season has been a drastic turn as the Cajuns have had one of the better offenses in all of college football, relying on the rushing attack of Bill Davis, Dre’Lyn Washington, and Zylan Perry to really compliment the passing attack.
CAJUNS IN THE CFP?
After a 7-1 start to the season, the conversation around Louisiana being a potential College Football Playoff contender has heated up. Many things would have to go in the way of the Cajuns, but there’s certainly a chance that this could be pulled off.
Tulane, Army, Navy, and Boise State look to be the teams in Louisiana’s way, but crazier things have happened in the past.
SERIES RECORD: Louisiana leads 28-21-1
Last 5 Meetings:
2023: ARKANSAS STATE 37 – LOUISIANA 17
2022: LOUISIANA 38 – ARKANSAS STATE 18
2021: LOUISIANA 28 – ARKANSAS STATE 27
2020: LOUISIANA 27 – ARKANSAS STATE 20
2019: LOUISIANA 37 – ARKANSAS STATE 20
STAT LEADERS:
Louisiana
Ben Wooldridge: 160-232, 2,037 Yards, 16 TD, 4 INT
Bill Davis: 87 Carries, 520 Yards, 3 TD
Terrence Carter: 33 Catches, 511 Yards, 4 TD
Cameron Whitfield: 5 Sacks
K.C. Ossai: 65 Tackles (35 Solo), 1 FF
Tyree Skipper & Tyrone Lewis Jr: 3 INT
Kenneth Almendares: 17-of-19 Field Goals, Long of 53, 28-of-28 PAT
Arkansas State
Jaylen Raynor: 168-276, 1,867 Yards, 7 TD, 6 INT
Jaquez Cross: 68 Carries, 386 Yards, 1 TD
Corey Rucker: 47 Catches, 703 Yards, 3 TD
Jayden Jones: 4 Sacks
Marvin Ham: 66 Tackles (31 Solo)
Justin Parks & Dontay Joyner: 3 INT
Clune Van Andel: 17-of-20 Field Goals, Long of 46, 17-of-17 PAT
