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The Louisiana Ragin Cajuns, coming off a big road performance against South Alabama, went back on a road to battle with a Sun Belt west rival in Arkansas State. However, nothing could go right for the Cajuns, who had a big blow when Zeon Chriss went down with an injury, as the Red Wolves ran away from Louisiana late in a 37-17 contest.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Louisiana started the game with the football but could not do anything due to a critical penalty putting them behind the sticks. Once Arkansas State got the ball, Jaylen Raynor orchestrated a 10-play, 71-yard drive that resulted in an 18-yard touchdown run from Zak Wallace that gave the Red Wolves a 7-0 lead. On the ensuing possession, Louisiana was deep in their own territory when Peter Leblanc slipped past the defense on his post route and Zeon Chriss found him for an 87-yard touchdown pass, the fourth-longest passing play in program history.
However, Arkansas State answered right back with another touchdown drive, going 65 yards on 11 plays before Raynor walked in from two yards out to make it 14-7 in favor of the Red Wolves. Two straight drives that ended in punts for Louisiana allowed Arkansas State to tack on two field goals and make it a 20-7 game before the Cajuns got three points back on the board with under a minute left in the half to make the score 20-10 at the break.
Louisiana started the third quarter strong with a big stop on defense and a long offensive drive that resulted in a two-yard touchdown run from Chriss to make it a 20-17 game. On that drive, there was a targeting play against Arkansas State that disqualified one of the Red Wolves’ best defenders Melique Straker.
Arkansas State answered right back with a long touchdown drive of their own, going 75 yards on 11 plays before Raynor found the endzone to make it a 27-17 game.
Early in the fourth quarter, Chriss was bottled up for a tackle as someone rolled over his ankle, resulting in an air cast being put on his lower leg and the young quarterback leaving the game on a cart. Chandler Fields then took over and led a promising drive down the field, only to throw an interception in the red zone and give the Red Wolves the football back with a 10-point lead.
Arkansas State was able to control the clock over the final moments of the final quarter, adding a 30-yard field goal from Dominic Zvada to increase the lead to 30-17 late in the game.
However, the Red Wolves got a late touchdown on a scoop and score from Javonte Mackey to make it 37-17, which would end up being the final score.
BIG NUMBER: 232
Arkansas State rushed for 232 yards in the game, dominating the point of attack for most of the game in a big win for the Red Wolves.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Jaylen Raynor
The natural freshman had a big game, going 18-28 for 194 yards. He didn’t throw a touchdown or an interception while adding 53 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
UP NEXT: Louisiana (5-4) has a short week now as they shift their focus to Southern Miss on Thursday night. Kickoff from Cajun Field is set for 6:30 p.m.