MONROE — The University of Louisiana put together its most dominant performance of the season on Saturday.
After having the previous week’s game canceled due to COVID-19 issues within the program, Louisiana returned to action Saturday with a road game at in-state rival ULM. The Ragin’ Cajuns built up a 49-14 halftime lead in route to a 70-20 victory over the Warhawks.
With the win, the Ragin’ Cajuns improve to 8-1 overall and 6-1 in Sun Belt Conference play.
How It Happened:
After the two teams traded punts to open the game, the Ragin’ Cajuns got on the scoreboard first with a 38-yard drive which was set up by a 33-yard punt return by Dontae Fleming. The drive was capped with a 11-yard touchdown by Trey Ragas.
The Ragin’ Cajuns defense got the ball back moments later as a fumble by Jeremy Hunt was recovered by Lorenzo McCaskill.
The Ragin’ Cajuns offense took advantage of the short field and needed only seven plays to score as Levi Lewis scored a 11-yard touchdown run.
The defense forced another Warhawk punt but Trey Amos fumbled the punt and ULM recovered at the goal line. Hunt then completed a one-yard touchdown pass to Cameron Darling.
Louisiana responded with a six-play, 70-yard touchdown drive as Elijah Mitchell scored a 44-yard touchdown run.
ULM answered back as Hunt found Jonathan Hodoh for a 43-yard completion down the right sideline. That set up a seven-yard touchdown run by Hunt.
The Ragin’ Cajuns seized control in the second quarter by outscoring the Warhawks 28-0 in the period.
Lewis threw a one-yard touchdown pass to Neal Johnson Jr. and then scored on a seven-yard touchdown run. Former Acadiana High star Bralen Trahn intercepted Hunt and returned it back 53 yards for a touchdown. To cap off the quarter, Lewis hooked up with Kyren Lacy for a 22-yard touchdown.
Louisiana scored on all four of its second-quarter possessions in the quarter and led 49-14 at halftime.
Lewis then scored his career-best fifth touchdown on the Ragin’ Cajuns first drive of the second half as he found tight end Johnny Lumpkin for a one-yard touchdown pass.
ULM scored in the fourth as Hunt fumbled the ball at the goal line but it was recovered by Zach Rasmussen for the touchdown. The extra point attempt hit the upright as the Warhawks still trailed 56-20.
The Cajuns added two more scoreS in the fourth as Michael Orphrey scored on a 48-yard touchdown run. Then after an interception by former Catholic High star Trey Amos set up the Cajuns deep into Warhawk territory, backup quarterback Jaiave Magalei found Kaleb Carter for a 13-yard touchdown.
Big Number: 70
The Ragin’ Cajuns scored 70 points in Saturday’s game and that was the most the team has scored in the rivalry series against the Warhawks. The previous high was 54 points in the 2005 game. The 70 points also surpassed the record for most points scored by either team — eclipsing ULM’s previous mark of 56 in 2017.
Player of the Game: Levi Lewis
The Ragin’ Cajuns quarterback completed 18-of-25 passes for 147 yards with three touchdown passes while also rushing for 55 yards and scoring two more touchdowns on the ground in three quarters. The five total touchdowns set a new career high for Lewis. The Ragin’ Cajuns also improved to 15-1 when Lewis threw for at least two touchdowns in a game.
Up Next: Louisiana will play at Appalachian State on Friday. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.