The Louisiana Ragin Cajuns opened the 2024 season inside the new look Cajun Field at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium, still under construction for the 2024 season, as they welcomed the Grambling Tigers to Lafayette.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Grambling Tigers started the contest with the football and were able to run four plays before having to punt it away to the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns. On the first offensive play of the season, Ben Wooldridge found Harvey Broussard over the middle for a big 50-yard gain. Seven plays later, Dre’Lyn Washington punched it in from six yards out to cap off an 82-yard scoring drive and put the Cajuns up 7-0.
After another defensive stop, the Cajuns were rolling again, this time going 69 yards on 12 plays as Wooldridge threw his first touchdown of the season when he found Broussard on a back-corner route for the 12-yard score and a 14-0 lead.
Two minutes later, Caleb Kibodi rose up to pick off Myles Crawley and had nothing but green grass in front of him as he ran it back for a 50-yard pick-six to further increase the Louisiana lead.
With 4:06 remaining in the opening half, Wooldridge launched another strike, this time to Tavion Smith for a 56-yard pitch and catch touchdown, but a botched snap on the PAT kept it a 27-0 lead.
Late in the half, Kenneth Almendares hit a 41-yard field goal to make it a 30-0 game at the half in the season opener.
Louisiana started the second half with the ball, but an uncharacteristic drop from Bernard led to an interception from Grambling, but the Cajuns defense made a stand and kept the mistake from costing them.
Wooldridge had his third touchdown of the night when he found Terrence Carter out in the flat for a 10-yard strike to make it a 37-0 lead in front of 23,107 people.
Grambling got on the scoreboard late in the third quarter with a one-yard touchdown run from Ke’Travion Hargrave to make it 37-7.
With 3:33 remaining, Tony Sterner added a 27-yard field goal to make it a 40-7 ballgame, which was answered by Reed Harradine from 50 yards away to finish the contest with a 40-10 final score.
BIG NUMBER: 363
Louisiana was able to have a big night in the air with 363 passing yards against Grambling, opening the season with a string display on offense.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Ben Wooldridge
Wooldridge was great in his return, completing 25-33 passes for 308 yards and three touchdowns. His one blemish was an interception in the third quarter.
UP NEXT: Louisiana will make their first road trip of the 2024 campaign when they travel to the newest FBS member in Kennesaw State. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. next Saturday on ESPN+.