The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (1-3) open Sun Belt Conference play on Saturday night against the Marshall Thundering Herd (2-2). The game represents a rematch of the 2024 SBC Championship game won by Marshall.
The Cajuns fell in heartbreaking fashion last week 34-31 to Eastern Michigan on a game-winning field goal. UL came back with a clutch drive to tie the game, but EMU answered and ultimately won the game.
The Herd started the Tony Gibson era with two losses including a surprising defeat to Missouri State. However, they have bounced back with a couple of wins, most recently defeating Middle Tennessee 42-28 on the road.
Kickoff between Louisiana and Marshall from Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium is set for 7:00 PM on Saturday.
OFFENSIVE MOMENTUM
Despite the loss, the Louisiana passing game took some much-needed steps in the right direction last weekend. They threw for 227 yards, easily marking a new season-high.
Despite that progress, the momentum is not all the way there. That is because the top two receivers, Shelton Sampson Jr and Robert Williams, will both miss this game with injury. It will be some young faces asked to step up for the Cajuns.
On the other side, Marshall seemingly found their quarterback recently. Carlos Del Rio-Wilson has taken over and guided the Thundering Herd to back-to-back wins. He has been a spark to the offense.
NOT YOUR TYPICAL CHAMPIONSHIP REMATCH
Saturday is technically a rematch of the SBC Championship. However, it does not exactly feel that way. Marshall lost their head coach and most of their roster to the transfer portal.
Louisiana on the other hand has been off to a bad start this season. Both teams are in vastly different situations than they were in 2024.
Still, the records in conference play are blank, meaning Saturday is an opportunity. The winner of this game will be off to a 1-0 start and try to carry that momentum forward.
A NOTEWORTHY INJURY REPORT
For the first time in 2025, the SBC is requiring official injury reports for conference games. Each team is required to publish player availability prior to each matchup.
Unfortunately for the Cajuns, their list is quite long. In addition to the receivers, the Cajuns will be without five offensive tackles on Saturday. To make matters worse, they lost the long snapper in practice this week as well.
Marshall is not exempt from injuries, as they are also without a few key players. Saturday is a battle of attrition in some ways, and the “next man up” mentality has been stressed on both sides.
SERIES RECORD: Cajuns lead 2-1
ALL-TIME MEETINGS:
2024: LOUISIANA 3 – MARSHALL 31 (SBC CHAMPIONSHIP)
2022: LOUISIANA 23 – MARSHALL 13
2021: LOUISIANA 36 – MARSHALL 21 (NEW ORLEANS BOWL)
STAT LEADERS:
Louisiana:
Daniel Beale: 35-69, 313 Yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
Zylan Perry: 45 Carries, 336 Yards, 3 TD
Shelton Sampson Jr: 8 Catches, 150 Yards, 0 TD
Jaelen Crider: 1.5 Sacks
Jaden Dugger: 32 Tackles (15 solo)
3 Players Tied: 1 INT
Tony Sterner: 6-of-9 Field Goals, Long of 51, 9-of-9 PAT
Marshall:
Carlos Del Rio-Wilson: 27-34, 379 Yards, 6 TD, 0 INT
Michael Allen: 28 Carries, 135 Yards, 1 TD
Demarcus Lacey: 10 Catches, 129 Yards, 1 TD
Jamaal Whyce Jr: 2.5 Sacks
Kerion Martin: 25 Tackles (14 solo)
Boogie Trotter: 2 INT
Lorcan Quinn: 3-of-5 Field Goals, Long of 50, 14-of-14 PAT