The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (2-0) return home after a bye week to welcome an in-state opponent, the Tule Green Wave, to Cajun Field.
The game is just the fifth meeting between the two squads since 2000, with the most recent being the 2018 Cure Bowl in Orlando.
Kickoff inside Cajun Field at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium is set for 11:00 a.m. and can be seen on ESPNU.
IN STATE MATCHUP
The Cajuns and Green Wave are set to play in front of a packed house as the two schools are separated by just two hours. These in-state games are a great opportunity to create a fun rivalry between two high-level football programs in the state and a lot of these players have been playing football together for years, which is another special level to this matchup.
For Tulane’s Bailey Despanie, this will be his first time playing college football in his hometown. “I have like 20 or 25 people coming to the game,” he said earlier in the week.
FAMILIARITY WITH SUMRALL
Before taking the job with Tulane, Jon Sumrall was the head coach for Troy, leading the Trojans to back-to-back Sun Belt Conference championships. Playing Troy every season, Louisiana is quite familiar with what the Green Wave will be looking to do under Sumrall and his staff. Will that level of game planning be a detriment to the Cajuns or will Sumrall’s knowledge of the Cajuns level the playing field?
SLOW DOWN THE PASSING ATTACK
Tulane’s passing attack is a dangerous one with freshman Darian Mensah leading the charge under center. Out wide, he has weapons galore led by USC transfer Mario Williams, Alabama transfer Shazz Preston, Louisiana transfer Dontae Fleming, and a handful of other playmakers. Can the Cajuns secondary, who is now without Courtline Flowers for the remainder of the season, find a way to slow down that attack and keep the game in front of them?
SERIES RECORD: Tulane leads 21-6
Last Five:
2018: Tulane defeats Louisiana 41-24 (Cure Bowl)
2016: Tulane defeats Louisiana 41-39 (4OT)
2013: Louisiana defeats Tulane 24-21 (New Orleans Bowl)
2012: Louisiana defeats Tulane 41-13
2000: Tulane defeats Louisiana 38-37
STAT LEADERS
Tulane
Darian Mensah: 43-of-73, 713 yards, 5 TD, 2 INT
Makai Hughes: 54 carries, 258 yards, 2 TD
Mario Williams: 13 receptions, 288 yards, 0 TD
Bailey Despanie (Carencro native): 20 tackles (18 solo), 0 sacks
Jacob Barnes: 3-of-4 FG, Long of 41, 10-10 XP
Louisiana
Ben Wooldridge: 40-of-52, 497 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT
Zylan Perry: 15 carries, 149 yards, 1 TD
Jacob Bernard: 8 receptions, 112 yards, 0 TD
KC Ossai: 19 tackles (10 solo), 0 Sacks
Kenneth Almendares: 3-of-3 FG, Long of 41, 8-8 XP