The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns dropped their conference opener 38-31 on the road against the Old Dominion Monarchs on Saturday night in Norfolk, Virginia. The defense struggled against the Monarch offense throughout as the Cajuns fell to 1-1 on the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Cajuns took the opening kickoff and marched 75 yards on nine plays. That drive was capped off by a three-yard touchdown pass from Ben Wooldridge to Harvey Broussard and Louisiana had a quick 7-0 lead. It did not last long, however, as Old Dominion answered with a quick scoring drive to even it up 7-7.
The teams then traded field goals and it was 10-10. ODU forced a punt, then went 10 plays and 65 yards to take a 17-10 lead via a Grant Wilson touchdown run. The Cajuns would have time to answer and would do so right before halftime. An eight play, 72-yard drive in which Wooldridge led the way ended with a one-yard touchdown run for the signal caller to make it 17-17 heading into the half.
The second half did not begin well for Louisiana. ODU took the kickoff and went right down the field, doing what they wanted offensively and capping the drive with a 36-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Reymello Murphy. After the teams traded stops, ODU struck another big passing play to the same receiver and extended their lead 31-17, this time on a 61-yard touchdown pass to Murphy.
The Cajun fought back on the ensuing drive, working down the field and getting in the end zone on a one-yard touchdown run by Terrence Williams. That cut the ODU lead to 31-24, but the Cajuns defense could not find a way to stop the Monarchs. Wilson connected with Kelby Williams on a wide open 37-yard touchdown pass to make it 38-24 Monarchs.
Louisiana would fight back towards the end. A touchdown reception by Jacob Kibodi on a 4th and 1 play kept things alive and make it 38-31. After a defensive stop, the Cajuns got the ball back with just under five minutes to play at their own two-yard line. The drive went all the way to the ODU seven yard line. However, it stalled there and ODU hung on to win 38-31.
BIG NUMBER: 4
The Cajuns’ secondary gave up four passing touchdowns on the night. Ultimately, the offense could not overcome that in the loss.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Grant Wilson
ODU’s quarterback was able to torch the Cajuns’ secondary, specifically in the second half. He finished with 247 yards passing and four touchdowns.
UP NEXT: The Cajuns will stay on the road and face the UAB Blazers on Saturday, September 16th at 6:00 P.M.