After finishing the regular season with a 10-2 record, Sun Belt Coach of the Year Michael Desormeaux and the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns have earned the right to host the Hercules Tires Sun Belt Conference Championship Game inside of Cajun Field.
Their opponent will be the Marshall Thundering Herd, coming into the title game from the East division after winning their final six games of the season.
Kickoff between the Cajuns and the Herd from Cajun Field is set for 6:30 p.m. and can be viewed on ESPN.
YOU’VE BEEN HERE BEFORE
Louisiana is entering its fifth conference championship game in its seventh season, so the Cajuns are no stranger to this matchup. While this will be the first time Desormeaux will be the head coach, the Cajuns have a strong foundation of how the week leading up should go and how to handle themselves in high-stress situations.
Lean on the experience you have as a program in what can be another program-defining win for Desormeaux and his staff on national television.
PROTECT FIELDS AT ALL COSTS
Chandler Fields will face arguably the toughest task of his career on Saturday when Marshall’s defense lines up across from him. The sixth-year senior has appeared in 34 games throughout his career but has never faced a defense like this. The Herd currently sit tied-20th nationally in sacks, averaging right around 3 per game. Mike Green, their highly touted edge rusher, is second nationally with 16 sacks, trailing by just half a sack.
The pressures will come early and often, so Louisiana’s offensive line will need to be ready for that attack. Fortunately, the Cajuns have one of their better offensive lines in recent years, including a pair of first-team all-conference players.
CONTINUE THE GROUND SUCCESS
Louisiana has done a really nice job of establishing a ground game as of late, having at least one running back go over 50 yards in all but one contest. Zylan Perry had a career day in Monroe last week and the Cajuns will be looking for more of the same from the Mamou native. However, Bill Davis has been the primary back with 777 yards on the season and averaging over five yards per carry.
With the veteran group up front and looking to open up the passing game, an early attack on the ground is crucial for Louisiana’s success.
SERIES RECORD: Louisiana leads 2-0
Previous Meetings:
2022: LOUISIANA 23 – MARSHALL 13
2021: LOUISIANA 36 – MARSHALL 21 (New Orleans Bowl)
STAT LEADERS:
Louisiana
Ben Wooldridge: 185-271, 2,392 Yards, 17 TD, 5 INT
Bill Davis: 150 Carries, 777 Yards, 9 TD
Lance LeGendre: 44 Catches, 736 Yards, 6 TD
Jordan Lawson: 5.5 Sacks
K.C. Ossai: 103 Tackles (53 Solo), 1 FF, 1 INT
Tyree Skipper & Tyrone Lewis Jr: 4 INT
Kenneth Almendares: 26-of-28 Field Goals, Long of 53, 46-of-47 PAT
Marshall:
Braylon Braxton: 106-180, 1,431 Yards, 17 TD, 2 INT
AJ Turner: 104 Carries, 864 Yards, 6 TD
Christian Fitzpatrick: 32 Catches, 569 Yards, 6 TD
Mike Green: 16 Sacks
Jaden Yates: 109 Tackles (29 Solo)
Josh Moten: 4 INT
Rece Verhoff: 13-of-18 Field Goals, Long of 51, 36-of-36 PAT