The wild, wild West Division in the Sun Belt was finally determined, but it wasn’t without some late theatrics as the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns (7-5, 5-3 Sun Belt) were able to win the division thanks to a missed field goal as time expired by Craig Ford to give them a 31-28 win over UL Monroe (6-6, 4-4 Sun Belt).
The Cajuns wasted very little time getting on the board with Andre Nunez connecting with Ryheem Malone with a 40-yard pass to take an early lead. Late in the first quarter, Nunez continued to be efficient through the air when he connected with JaMarcus Bradley with a 20-yard pass to extend their lead.
However, the Warhawks answered the bell early in the second quarter with a 13-yard pass from Caleb Evans to Austin Vaughn to get on the board. It became a two-possession game once again when Nunez connected with Ragas from six-yards out for his third touchdown of the afternoon.
It didn’t take long for UL Monroe to respond though, marching down the field for a seven-play drive that was capped off by a five-yard run by Kayin White to make it 21-14. After a 37-yard field goal by Kyle Pfau, the Warhawks got within three points just before halftime when Corey Straughter picked off Nunez and took it to the house. The score remained 24-21 until Levi Lewis connected with Elijah Mitchel on a 40-yard touchdown pass to make it a 10-point ballgame.
However, Evans was able to find Marcus Green with a 30-yard bomb to make it 31-28. After forcing the Cajuns to punt, they marched down the field and got all the way to the Louisiana 19-yard line, setting up a 36-yard field goal attempt to force overtime. It didn’t happen though as Ford wound up going wide right to give the Cajuns the win and the West Division crown.
The Cajuns will now travel to Boone, North Carolina on December 1st to take on Appalachian State with kickoff set for 11 am.
-Clint Domingue