Welcome everyone to the latest edition of #4Downs where I break down every Cajuns game! This week, we look at the Cajuns loss to App State.
1st Down: Defense Crumbles Against Run
One of the big points in my preview was that the Mountaineers would use the run game to their advantage, especially if Marcus Cox was able to return from injury thanks to the extra days off. The Cajuns had been a team that looked to be able to shut down the run, but the Cajuns were taken down by Jalin Moore who racked up 106 of App State’s 171 yards.
2nd Down: Lethargic Cajuns Offense
The Cajuns looked downright lethargic on Wednesday night, especially on the offensive side of the ball with only 267 yards of offense. You’d think having a few extra days to prepare for a tough opponent like Appalachian State would get some of the juices flowing. Jennings looked like he had been hit by a truck towards the end of the matchup and Jordan Davis was having to come in after it looked like he had gotten hit hard in the fourth quarter. There is a lot to blame for this though especially when you look at how the game went: largely run dependent followed by some screen passes and dink and dunk plays really showed that this Cajuns team aren’t quite ready for primetime.
3rd Down: Coutts Shining Star On Team
This should be nothing new for Cajuns fans especially if you look back at the start of the season against Boise State. Steven Coutts is a phenomenal punter, but when you don’t get points for good punts. This isn’t the CFL and that’s the problem with the Ragin Cajuns right now. You best player on a team that has a running back that was player of the year in the Sun Belt two years ago and a former quarterback for LSU. If you told me that this team would be 2-4 and the best player would be the punter, I would be shocked.
4th Down: What Now?
Only a few weeks ago, it looked like the Cajuns season was turning around after a tough game against Boise State. It has turned back and is now looking like it’s going into the tank once again, much like last year. Things aren’t clicking offensively and the Cajuns need to have this team be like they were against South Alabama. I don’t know how that will happen, but the Cajuns will need to find some mojo and soon if they want to avoid being well below .500.
-Clint Domingue