Logos from sportslogos.net
After a heartbreaking loss a week ago on Homecoming, Louisiana went on the road hoping to bounce back against a Sun Belt West foe. The Cajuns forced five turnovers from South Alabama and ran away from the Jags in a 33-21 victory that puts the Cajuns in a prime position for the Western division.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
After the first two drives resulted in three-and-outs, the Ragin Cajuns were able to keep South Alabama out of the endzone with a turnover on downs at the seven-yard line. On the ensuing drive, the Cajuns got on the board with a 12-play, 93-yard drive that ended with a 33-yard touchdown strike from Zeon Chriss to Jacob Bernard that put Louisiana ahead 7-0.
The Cajuns’ defense once again got a turnover, forcing a fumble on a third down sack to take over at the Jags’ 41. Louisiana then went on a seven-play, 41-yard drive where Chriss found Neal Johnson from three yards away to increase the Louisiana lead to 14-0 with 8:15 remaining in the first half.
The Cajuns found a way to continue their defensive dominance in the first half, forcing a quick three-and-out to get the ball back again. However, after just a nine-yard punt, Louisiana got the ball at the South Alabama 37. Michael Desormeaux’s team took this opportunity to run some clock and the drive ended with a 20-yard field goal from Kenneth Almendares to make it 17-0 towards the end of the half.
South Alabama started the second half with an electric drive, moving down the field at ease. The Jags went 80 yards on nine plays and it was capped off by a six-yard touchdown from Carter Bardley to Jamal Pritchett to make it a 17-7 game. Every completed pass on the drive went to Pritchett, including the touchdown.
Louisiana got three points back on their next drive, going 50 yards on nine plays and Almendares bounced a 42-yarder off the right upright to make it 20-7 in favor of the Cajuns.
However, South Alabama marched down the field with ease, going 89 yards in three plays set up by a 62-yard pass play to Caullin Lacy before La’Damian Webb took off on a 25-yard touchdown run to make it 20-14 with 6:09 left in the third.
The Cajuns didn’t stay down long, going 75 yards on five plays resulting in a 56-yard touchdown scamper from Jacob Kibodi, but a missed extra point made it 26-14 with 3:17 left in the third quarter.
On the next South Alabama possession, Bradley was sacked by Cameron Whitfield and the ball came loose before Kendre Gant scooped up the loose ball and took off 56 yards to the endzone to make it a 33-14 game.
The Louisiana defense forced their fourth turnover of the night as Tyrone Lewis Jr executed the tip drill to perfection, picking off Bradley at the Louisiana six.
South Alabama was marching down the field late in the game, but Bradley was picked off by Lewis for the second time in the game, this one coming in the endzone as Louisiana all but ended the game with that play.
South Alabama did add a touchdown with just 15 seconds remaining in the game, a 39-yard pass to Pritchett from Bradley that made it 33-20 after the unsuccessful two-point try.
BIG NUMBER: +24.5
Louisiana entered the game as an 11.5-point underdog to the Jaguars. After winning the game 33-20, the Cajuns had a swing in point differential of 24.5 on the road in Mobile.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Cameron Whitfield
The sophomore linebacker was absolutely unreal in the Port City, racking up 7 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles, one of which ended with a Kendre Gant touchdown.
UP NEXT: Louisiana will be on the road once again next week as they head to Jonesboro, Arkansas to battle with Arkansas State. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m.