Led by a record-setting night by Ben Wooldridge, the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns defeated the Arkansas State Red Wolves 38-18 on Saturday night. With the win, the Ragin’ Cajuns improve to 4-3 overall and 2-2 in Sun Belt Conference play.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
After starting the game with a punt and a lost fumble by Errol Rogers, the Ragin’ Cajuns got on the scoreboard with a 43-yard field goal by Kenneth Alemendares.
Louisiana added to its lead on its next possession as the Ragin’ Cajuns went on a nine-play, 53-yard drive which was capped with a seven-yard touchdown pass from Ben Wooldridge to Donte Fleming.
Arkansas State’s offense came alive in the second quarter.
After getting a 43-yard field goal by Dominic Zvada, the Red Wolves found the end zone for the first time.
Arkansas State quarterback AJ Mayer found Daverrick Jenkins for a 53-yard completion down the right sideline and then on the next play Mayer found Seydou Traore for a 27-yard touchdown. The extra-point attempt was blocked by Bralen Trahan.
Louisiana responded with a pair of long touchdown passes on their final two possessions of the first half. Woolridge threw a 45-yard touchdown pass to Jacob Bernard and then followed that up with a 55-yard pass down the middle to Fleming.
At the break, Louisiana led 24-9.
The Ragin’ Cajuns opened up the second half with a touchdown drive as Wooldridge threw his fourth touchdown pass of the game — this one a 36-yard dart to Michael Jefferson.
Wooldridge then threw his fifth touchdown pass — a 13-yard strike to Neal Johnson — on the Ragin’ Cajuns’ next possession.
Arkansas State added a 33-yard field goal late in the third quarter.
The Red Wolves tacked on one extra score off of a scoop-and-score touchdown with 2:02 left to go in the game. Louisiana still led and would win 38-18.
BIG NUMBER: 522
The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns rolled up 522 yards of offense in Saturday’s victory. That surpassed the previous high for the season — 459 yards against Eastern Michigan.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: BEN WOOLDRIDGE
The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns quarterback completed 21-of-34 passes for 315 yards and tied the program record for most passing touchdowns in a single game with five. That tied him with Andre Nunez (2018 against New Mexico State) and Jake Delhomme (1996 against Northern Illinois).
UP NEXT: Louisiana (4-3, 2-2 SBC) will play at Southern Mississippi on Thursday. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m.