Welcome everyone to the latest edition of #4Downs where I breakdown what went right and what went right for the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns! This week, it’s the Cajuns big win over Arkansas State.
1st Down: Underclassmen Lead Seniors to Win
The Ragin Cajuns honored their seniors today, but it was the underclassmen that created opportunities all game long. From Taboris Lee’s big pick six in the first quarter that helped turn the tide in favor of the Cajuns; to a breakout performance from JaMarcus Bradley that saw him with 113 yards off four catches the underclassmen helped the seniors out in their last game at Cajun Field. That being said, it was the seniors that racked up the touchdowns offensively with Eli McGuire and Al Riles both getting a receiving touchdown to add their career stats.
2nd Down: Strong Redzone Performance
The Ragin Cajuns defense showed up in a big way when they needed to: in the redzone. Arkansas State, who had been on a tear through the Sun Belt dating back to 2014, was held to one touchdown in the redzone by the Cajuns. They even held Arkansas State out of the endzone on 4th and goal from the one-yard line. It was a refreshing sight to see a defense hold a team like Arkansas State to only 13 points in the redzone.
3rd Down: Defense Lets Up In Second Half
While the defense performed well in the redzone, it was everywhere else they underperformed especially in the second half which saw the Cajuns allow 364 total yards of offense. To think this is the same defense which had seen a streak of games where they shut down offenses in the second half is amazing. If not for that early burst of energy from the Cajuns, we could be talking about another loss for the Cajuns.
4th Down: Closing Moments Snapshot of Cajuns Season
If there was a snapshot of the Cajuns season, the closing seconds of the matchup between the Cajuns and Red Wolves was it. A season that has seen the highest of highs (beating South Alabama to start 1-0 in conference), to the lowest of lows (losing to Idaho at homecoming) saw another play that will be added to the countless moments in this fierce rivalry between these two teams. The elation of winning the game after stopping the Red Wolves well short of the first down quickly turned south with it being lateraled toward an offensive lineman that looked to be the gamewinner. After several minutes of waiting with bated breath for the ruling on the field, it returned to elation that the Cajuns would win this and get one game closer to another bowl game. Only UL Monroe stands in the way and the Cajuns need to make sure they don’t slip up against their in-state rival.
-Clint Domingue