The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns held off the rival ULM Warhawks to record a 21-16 win in the regular season finale.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Louisiana needed only two plays to get on the scoreboard.
Levi Lewis found tight end Neal Johnson open down the left sideline for a 55-yard pass. Lewis scored on the next play as he found the end zone on a 20-yard touchdown run.
ULM took the field and put together a 15-play, 66-yard drive in which the Warhawks picked up a fourth down. The drive stalled and ULM settled for a 26-yard field goal by Calum Sutherland.
Louisiana needed more than two plays to score on its second possession, but not many more. The Ragin’ Cajuns needed only eight plays to go 75 yards and capped the drive with a 37-yard halfback pass from Chris Smith to Kyren Lacy.
At the end of the first, Louisiana held a 14-3 lead.
After the Ragin’ Cajuns failed to pick up the first on fourth and six at the ULM 38-yard line, the Warhawks scored moments later as Rhett Rodriguez found Boogie Knight, who got behind Brandon Bishop who fell on the play, for a 46-yard touchdown.
At the break, Louisiana led 14-10.
After forcing a fumble, the Ragin’ Cajuns added to their lead in the third quarter with a four-play, 85-yard scoring drive. Emani Bailey capped the drive with a two-yard touchdown run.
The Warhawks cut into the lead with a late fourth-quarter drive.
After Louisiana failed to convert on fourth down, ULM went 71 yards and capped the drive with a 12-yard rushing touchdown by Malik Jackson. Rodriguez’ two-point pass was no good.
ULM attempted the onside kick but Louisiana’s Peter LeBlanc recovered it for the Ragin’ Cajuns. Louisiana took two kneel downs to run out the clock and secure the record victory.
BIG NUMBER: 11
With Saturday’s win, the Ragin’ Cajuns have now won 11 straight games which extends the program record. The 11 wins is also a new record for most in a regular season in program history.
PLAYERS OF THE GAME: NEAL JOHNSON & CHAUNCEY MANAC
The Ragin’ Cajuns tight end had one of the biggest plays of the game when he caught a 55-yard pass on the first play from scrimmage. Johnson would go on to lead the team with 80 yards receiving on three catches. Manac meanwhile led the defense with two tackles for a loss and one sack.
UP NEXT: Louisiana (11-1, 8-0 SBC) will host Appalachian State on Saturday in the Sun Belt Conference Championship Game. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m.