Welcome everyone to another edition of #4Downs!
1st Down: Cajuns Offense Red Hot
The Ragin Cajuns may have come up just short, but the offense looked red hot. Brooks Haack went 24-37 for 283 yards and two touchdowns. Jamal Robinson had great numbers once again getting 12 touches for 183 yards and a score. Eli McGuire finally returned to form with 159 yards rushing off of 18 carries and a pair of touchdowns. Any normal game, this would’ve been a win. But there were issues.
2nd Down: Opportunites Go to Waste
With the cold weather coming through Acadiana, a lot of the punts during the afternoon matchup went up high but dropped down almost five yards away from the punter. This led to a lot of chances for the Ragin Cajuns to work with the short field and get some points. But the Cajuns were unable to make the most of these and had to settle for field goals. In a game like this where a potential postseason berth is on the line, you can’t miss out on opportunities like that.
3rd Down: An Inspired Performance
Andrew Allen was the big story coming out of this game. The sophomore QB/WR attended the funeral of his father, who was shot in Temple, Texas, mere hours before the Cajuns kicked off against New Mexico State. Allen not only played, but had perhaps the biggest game of his career completing 13 passes for 243 yards and 4 TDs. It was reminiscent to Brett Favre playing on Monday Night Football on the same night his father passed away. Playing with the heavy heart that he did earned my respect.
4th Down: NOLA Bowl to NO Bowl
With only two games left in the season, the odds of the Cajuns making it to the postseason are slim to none. Next week’s game in Boone seems like a loss on paper. This was a must-win game for the Cajuns to have any chance of making it to the postseason. After four straight trips to the New Orleans Bowl, it looks like the Cajuns will be sitting out this bowl season.
-Clint Domingue