The Louisiana Ragin Cajuns are making the trip to Norfolk, Virginia for the first time.
The Ragin Cajuns (1-0) will head to S.B. Ballard Stadium to battle with the Old Dominion Monarchs (0-1). Kickoff for that game is set for 5:00 p.m. on ESPN+.
This is the first meeting between these two schools and the season’s first Sun Belt Conference matchup for both Louisiana and Old Dominion.
FIRST TEAM TO 20 WINS
This is shaping up to be a low-scoring matchup with two solid defenses. ODU linebacker Jason Henderson has 198 tackles in his last thirteen matchups (15.2 tackles a game) and will do a great job of limiting the Cajuns’ run game. Also, the potential absence of Dre’Lyn Washington makes this game more of a smash-mouth, physical style that will be low in points. Whoever can get ahead early will have the best chance to win.
TWO ATHLETIC QUARTERBACKS
Ben Wooldridge and Fordham transfer Grant Wilson are two incredibly athletic quarterbacks who will do battle this weekend. Wilson was the Monarch’s leading rusher in the season opener against Virginia Tech and took good care of the football in the passing game. For Wooldridge, he was able to pad the stat sheet in his first game back from injury but will look to improve in the first road test of 2023.
NEW PREGAME ROUTINE
This may seem like a dramatic point, but there’s something to be said about traveling to a team you’ve never played. You have to build an entirely new logistical plan including where to stay, where to fly into, how to keep the players occupied the night before, etc. This can cause an extra level of fatigue that may affect on-field performance. It’ll be interesting to see how this affects Desormeaux and the Cajuns.
STATS LEADERS
Louisiana
Ben Wooldridge: 14-32, 233 yards, 3 TDs
Dre’Lyn Washington: 8 carries, 88 yards, 1 TD
Peter LeBlanc: 2 receptions, 58 yards, 1 TD
Jordan Lawson: 6 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 2 sacks
Kenneth Almendares: 1-1 FG (33), 4-4 XP
Old Dominion
Grant Wilson: 13-25, 94 yards, 2 TDs
Grant Wilson: 19 carries, 99 yards
Obie Sanni: 2 receptions, 18 yards
Terry Jones: 12 tackles
Ethan Sanchez: 1-1 FG (28), 2-2 XP