The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns prevailed 41-38 over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Saturday afternoon inside Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The victory moves Louisiana to 3-1 and gives them their first ever win over an active member of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The game began with the Cajuns defense on the field after deferring to the second half. The defense delivered, forcing a quick three-and-out to get the ball in the hands of the offense.
Ben Wooldridge and company worked down the field with an effective first drive, scoring a touchdown after 10 plays and 70 yards. Wooldridge found Tavion Smith with a two-yarder to punctuate the drive.
The Wake Forest offense found some yardage on the next possession, going 13 plays and 54 yards. However, Louisiana held them out of the end zone and a field goal made it 7-3.
Another efficient Cajuns drive out another touchdown on the board after that. This one was quicker, as it took four plays and 75 yards. Bill Davis had a 60 yard run to get them down there and Wooldridge snuck it in from one yard out.
Neither team scored in their next possession, but Wake got one back on the following effort. 10 plays and 65 yards got them down there and Tate Carney punched it in from a yard out. The Demon Deacons cut the lead to 14-10.
The teams traded touchdowns on the final two possessions before the half. First, Louisiana got one on a 20 yard touchdown reception by Lance Legendre. That was answered when Hank Bachmeier found Deuce Alexander for a three-yarder to make it 21-17 heading into to the break.
The unfortunate news for Louisiana at halftime is that two of their best defensive players, KC Ossai and Tyrone Lewis Jr, were both disqualified for the remainder of the contest due to targeting.
Louisiana got it first after the half and put together a nice drive, converting a couple of difficult third downs. It would eventually stall out, but Kenneth Almendares drilled a 50-yard field goal into the Winston-Salem breeze to make it 24-17 Cajuns.
The Demon Deacons would answer, and it would begin a string of answers from each team. Claiborne broke a 60-yard touchdown run on 4th and 1. That was followed up by Legendre finding the end zone for the second time, this one on a 48 yarder. The answer was answered, this time with Carney punching it in from one yard out. After all that scoring, it was 31-31 at the end of the third quarter.
Louisiana got a big interception in the fourth quarter to set themselves up with good field position. After that, they took advantage with a four play, 38 yard drive ending with a Davis two-yard TD run.
As was the theme in the second half, Wake had an answer. 13 plays and 80 yards ended with Carney from one yard out. That made it 38-38.
Wooldridge would drive his team down the field into field goal range. With less than a minute left, Almendares drilled the go-ahead 31-yard field goal to make it 41-38.
The Demon Deacons would get into field goal range as well, largely helped out by a questionable roughing the passer call. However, as time expired, the Matthew Denis 42-yarder missed off the left upright, and the Cajuns held on.
BIG NUMBER: 4
The Cajuns overcame four targeting calls, resulting in four of their key defensive players being disqualified in this game. Still, the defense came up with a critical interception and forced a missed field goal down the stretch.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Lance Legendre
Legendre was huge in this contest for the Cajuns’ offense. He finished with six receptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Additionally, he had a key catch on the final drive to help set up the eventual game-winning field goal.
UP NEXT: The Cajuns will stay on the road as they begin Sun Belt Conference play next Saturday, October 5th. They will face the Southern Miss Golden Eagles in Hattiesburg at 6:00 PM.