The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (2-1) will be on the road for their final non-conference game of 2024 as they face the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
The Cajuns are coming off of a 41-33 loss to Tulane at Cajun Field on Saturday. That loss was the first of the year for Louisiana. Wake Forest had a bye last week, losing to Ole Miss in their most recent contest.
Kickoff inside Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium is set for 2:30 p.m. central, that being 3:30 p.m. eastern kick in Winston-Salem.
UNFAMILIAR TERRITORY
This marks the second time this season that Louisiana is facing an opponent for the very first time. Just like Kennesaw State, the Cajuns and Wake Forest have never played before. In addition, it is only the second meeting for the Cajuns against a current member of the Atlantic Coast Conference. They have five meetings all-time against the current members of the ACC as the league stands right now.
BOUNCE BACK
Saturday will be the first time this season where the Cajuns are trying to bounce back after a loss in the previous week. Last season, they went 4-2 in those opportunities. The only two losses in those spots came when the Cajuns suffered a three-game losing streak which was ended by the win over ULM that made Louisiana bowl eligible.
Wake Forest is 0-1 so far this season in bounce back chances. Last year, they went 1-6 in those games throughout the season.
UNIQUE LOOK
When the Louisiana defense takes the field on Saturday, they will be facing one of the more unique offenses in college football. Known for the extended mesh point, Wake Forest will keep the ball in the belly of the running back for quite a while. Sometimes, it will end up being a run play, but sometimes they will fake it and throw it over the top.
It will take a disciplined approach on the defensive side for the Cajuns to have success against the Demon Deacons and keep them off of the scoreboard.
SERIES RECORD: First ever meeting
Last Five: N/A
STAT LEADERS
Wake Forest
Hank Bachmeier: 67-of-109, 905 yards, 4 TD, 0 INT
Demond Claiborne: 49 carries, 241 yards, 3 TD
Taylor Morin: 18 receptions, 268 yards, 0 TD
Nick Andersen: 36 tackles (21 solo)
Kevin Pointer: 2 sacks
Matthew Dennis: 6-of-6 FG, Long of 42
Louisiana
Ben Wooldridge: 59-of-86, 735 yards, 6 TD, 3 INT
Bill Davis: 26 carries, 218 yards, 2 TD
Jacob Bernard: 10 receptions, 135 yards, 0 TD
KC Ossai: 22 tackles (13 solo)
Team: 0 sacks
Kenneth Almendares: 5-of-5 FG, Long of 41