The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (10-3) are set to face the TCU Horned Frogs (8-4) in the Isleta New Mexico Bowl on Saturday afternoon in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Cajuns fell in the Sun Belt Championship Game to Marshall, but are looking to rebound and win their 11th game of the season.
TCU finished the season 8-4 this year, just two years removed from an appearance in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. They started the season off slow, but won five of their finals six games to reach this point.
Kickoff between the Cajuns and the Horned Frogs from University Stadium is set for 1:15 p.m. and can be viewed on ESPN.
RETURN OF BEN 10
The Cajuns were once again affected with multiple quarterback injuries this season. Ben Wooldridge missed the final four games, and then Chandler Fields got hurt in the SBC Title game.
Wooldridge is set to return from his injury for this game, playing in his final collegiate contest. He will have Daniel Beale backing him up, as Fields is still out with his injury.
WHO ELSE IS HERE?
Unfortunately, bowl games nowadays usually include plenty of players not participating. The transfer portal has caused plenty of those changes.
Among the players not playing for Louisiana include Terrance Carter, Harvey Broussard, Carmycah Glass, and Dre’Lyn Washington, who have all entered the portal.
For TCU, one notable opt-out is Jack Bech. The former STM Cougar had a tremendous season, and is set to get drafted into the NFL in 2025.
SENIOR SENDOFF
Louisiana will send their seniors off after Saturday’s game. It’s a special group in plenty of ways, and many of those players have been with the program through the coaching change when Michael Desormeaux took over.
The Cajuns will look to send this group off with a win, and climb the ranks in program history. They would be only the fourth team in program history to reach 11 wins.
SERIES RECORD: First ever matchup
STAT LEADERS:
Louisiana
Ben Wooldridge: 185-271, 2,392 Yards, 17 TD, 5 INT
Bill Davis: 154 Carries, 775 Yards, 9 TD
Lance LeGendre: 48 Catches, 814 Yards, 6 TD
Cameron Whitfield: 6 Sacks
K.C. Ossai: 110 Tackles (57 Solo), 1 FF, 1 INT
Tyree Skipper & Tyrone Lewis Jr: 4 INT
Kenneth Almendares: 27-of-29 Field Goals, Long of 53, 46-of-47 PAT
TCU:
Josh Hoover: 293-439, 3,697 Yards, 23 TD, 10 INT
Cam Cook: 119 Carries, 460 Yards, 9 TD
Jack Bech: 62 Catches, 1,034 Yards, 9 TD
Devean Deal: 4.5 Sacks
Johnny Hodges: 87 Tackles (47 Solo)
Bud Clark: 3 INT
Kyle Lemmermann: 13-of-20 Field Goals, Long of 48, 50-of-51 PAT