Photo by Benjamin Massey/Courtesy of Louisiana Athletics; Logos via sportslogos.net
After losing a heartbreaker in Ruston, the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns returned home to Lafayette for an afternoon matchup with the Troy Trojans. The Vermilion and White held the visiting Trojans scoreless at the half before walking away with the 33-6 victory, improving the team’s record to 5-2 (2-1 in Sun Belt).
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Louisiana managed to gain one first down on its opening drive before punting the ball away. Trojan returner Noreel White muffed the punt by running back to track it. Harrison Kidder recovered the fumble at the eight-yard line, and the Cajuns scored three plays later. On 3rd & GOAL, quarterback Lunch Winfield connected with KeDarius Wade in the flat for the three-yard touchdown less than three minutes into the game.
Troy had a 14-play, 61-yard drive through the midway point of the second quarter that resulted in a missed 42-yard field goal by kicker Ethan Head. The kick was wide right.
The Cajuns marched down the field after the miss to get into the end zone. JJ Garner capped off the possession with a 37-yard rushing touchdown. The PAT snap never got off the ground, and the kicker, Tony Sterner, was tackled short of the goal line. Louisiana held a 13-point advantage with 2:21 left in the second quarter.
Trojan quarterback Goose Crowder lost the ball on the second play of the possession with Micah Johnson falling on the ball at Troy’s 28-yard line. 22 seconds later, Sterner made a 42-yard field goal, adding to the Cajun lead. The Vermilion and White defense forced a three-and-out to give the offense another chance to score before the break.
Sterner made a 46-yarder at the buzzer, and the Cajuns went into the half up 19-0.
Troy scored on the opening drive to begin the second half, going 75 yards in eight plays. Crowder scrambled for a nine-yard gain on 4th & 8, then backup Tucker Kilcrease went into the end zone untouched for a 23-yard touchdown on a QB keeper. The PAT was missed to keep the 13-point difference.
Louisiana responded with an eight-minute touchdown drive, the second time they’ve been down so far this season, this time going 91 yards. Winfield, Anthony Reagan Jr., Garner, and Steven Blanco carried the ball on the possession, with Blanco finishing it off with the two-yard score. Troy turned the ball over on downs for a second time this game, allowing the Cajuns to build on their lead. It took them seven plays to go 36 yards as Reagan Jr. went in untouched from 15 yards out. The Vermilion and White were up by 27 points with 12:17 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Troy failed to score another point to cut into the lead. The Cajuns improved to 5-2 with the 33-6 home win.
BIG NUMBER: 3
The Cajun defense stood strong in Saturday’s contest, surrendering just one touchdown, and forced the Trojan offense to turn the ball over on downs three times. Troy had four total turnovers, including the muffed punt on the opening drive.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Brent Gordon Jr.
Louisiana’s star cornerback locked down Troy’s pass catchers. Gordon finished the day with three pass breakups and five tackles (three solo) as the Cajuns improved to 5-2 with a 33-6 win.
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