Tag: Louisiana

Nov 23, 2024; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Josh Hoover (10) throws a pass before the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

Josh Hoover passes TCU to rout of Louisiana in New Mexico Bowl

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Josh Hoover completed a record-setting season by passing for 252 yards and four touchdowns and TCU defeated Louisiana 34-3 in the New Mexico Bowl on Saturday in Albuquerque.

Hoover completed 20 of 32 passes and finished the season with 3,949 passing yards, 48 more than Trevone Boykin’s previous single-season school record. The Horned Frogs (9-4), who rolled to a 27-0 halftime lead and coasted, won their fourth straight game and for the sixth time in their last seven games.

Ben Wooldridge returned from a three-game absence due to a shoulder injury and completed 7 of 20 passes for 61 yards with an interception for the Ragin’ Cajuns (10-4), who lost their second consecutive game after a 31-3 defeat to Marshall in the Sun Belt Conference Championship Game on Dec. 7 in Lafayette, La.

TCU outgained Louisiana 367 yards to 209 and finished with 257 passing yards compared to 95 for the Cajuns.

On the Frogs’ fourth offensive play of the third quarter, Hoover threw his fourth touchdown pass, a 20-yarder to Blake Nowell that expanded the lead to 34-0 at the end of the period.

Louisiana avoided a shutout when Kenneth Almendares kicked a 24-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter.

TCU received the opening kickoff and, 11 plays later, Hoover threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to DJ Rogers.

On the ensuing possession, Wooldridge drove the Cajuns to the Frogs 37, but Almendares’ 54-yard field-goal attempt hit the right upright and bounced away. It was just the third missed field goal in 30 attempts this season for the Lou Groza Award winner.

Hoover threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Eric McAlister on fourth down to increase the lead to 14-0 at the end of the first quarter. McAlister was Hoover’s most frequent target, finishing with eight receptions for 87 yards.

Kyle Lemmermann kicked field goals from 45 and 22 yards and Hoover threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to JP Richardson on fourth-and-2 to expand the lead to 27-0 at halftime.

–Field Level Media

Nov 23, 2024; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Josh Hoover (10) throws a pass before the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

Louisiana hopes to slow TCU’s Josh Hoover in New Mexico Bowl

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TCU played its best football during the second half of the regular season.

Louisiana played its worst game of the season in its most recent contest.

The Horned Frogs (8-4) will try to keep rolling and the Ragin’ Cajuns (10-3) will try to bounce back when they meet in the New Mexico Bowl on Saturday afternoon in Albuquerque.

TCU won five of its past six games, including the last three.

“We were 3-3 and it didn’t look very good,” Horned Frogs coach Sonny Dykes said. “We didn’t play well and we had three games where we turned the ball over 12 times, which is almost unprecedented in the history of football. But we managed to get through it and survive it.”

TCU had lost three of four when it entered an open date in early October. Dykes and his staff used the time to get the players focused on how they could turn the season around. In the next game, the Horned Frogs won 13-7 at Utah, and their only loss the rest of the way came on a last-second tiebreaking field goal at Baylor.

“The players jumped on board and did everything we asked them to do,” Dykes said. “I think that showed a lot of character.”

The Horned Frogs eliminated the rash of turnovers and were plus-3 in turnover margin over their final six regular-season games.

Sophomore quarterback Josh Hoover ranks seventh nationally in passing yards (3,697). He is 1 yard behind Max Duggan for the second-highest single-season total in school history and needs 205 to break Trevone Boykin’s record of 3,901.

He has a 1,000-yard receiver in Jack Bech, an LSU transfer who is a native of Lafayette, La., where the Ragin’ Cajuns are located.

Louisiana’s only losses were to bowl-eligible teams. The Ragin’ Cajuns lost by eight points to Tulane in September and by two to South Alabama in November before being routed by Marshall 31-3 in the Sun Belt Conference championship game in Lafayette on Dec. 7.

“You always look forward to the next opportunity,” Cajuns coach Michael Desormeaux said.

Desormeaux said the opportunity to face a team from a power conference should enable his team to forget the disappointment of the Marshall loss.

“It’s always a big deal for us,” he said. “If you can finish this season with a win against a team like TCU and finish with 11 wins, that puts you in a better starting spot next year.”

Desormeaux said starting quarterback Ben Wooldridge has a chance to play in the bowl game after missing the last three games because of a shoulder injury. His replacement, Chandler Fields, has completed 72.4 percent of his passes with five touchdowns and one interception.

No matter who is under center, Desormeaux knows he has “a real weapon” in kicker Kenneth Almendares, who won the Lou Groza Award. He made all but two of his 29 field-goal attempts, and the misses came from 53 and 60 yards. Almendares is 46-for-47 on extra points.

“Kenny has been phenomenal,” Desormeaux said. “Any time you get across (midfield), you know you’re not far away from getting some points on the board.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 28, 2024; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns head coach Michael Desormeaux reacts to a targeting call during the second half against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Report: Louisiana coach Michael Desormeaux gets new deal

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Louisiana agreed to terms on a new five-year deal with Ragin’ Cajuns football coach Michael Desormeaux, ESPN reported Monday.

The contract keeps Desormeaux, 39, in Lafayette through the 2029 season. Financial terms were not reported.

Desormeaux was named the Sun Belt Coach of the Year this season and guided the Ragin’ Cajuns (10-3, 7-1) to the conference title game.

Louisiana will face TCU (8-4) in the New Mexico Bowl on Saturday in Albuquerque.

Desormeaux is 23-17 as the head coach at his alma mater since taking over as the interim coach for the New Orleans Bowl to conclude the 2021 season. He replaced Billy Napier, who left Louisiana to take over as head coach at Florida.

–Field Level Media

Sep 28, 2024; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns quarterback Ben Wooldridge (10) throws a touchdown pass under pressure by Wake Forest Demon Deacons defensive lineman Jasheen Davis (30) during the first half at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Louisiana edges Wake Forest on Kenneth Almendares’ FG

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Kenneth Almendares delivered the go-ahead 31-yard field goal with 52 seconds left to lift Louisiana over Wake Forest 41-38 in a non-conference game Saturday in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Ben Wooldridge completed 20 of 29 passes for 257 yards and three touchdowns without an interception for Louisiana. Two of his touchdowns went to Lance Legendre, who finished with six catches for 123 yards for the Ragin’ Cajuns (3-1).

Wake Forest quarterback Hank Bachmeier tallied for 254 yards with a touchdown and an interception on 30-of-36 passing. Tate Carney had three 1-yard rushing touchdowns for the Demon Deacons (1-3), who never led in the game.

Carney’s third touchdown tied the score with 1:55 remaining, but Zylan Perry returned the ensuing kickoff 57 yards to the Wake Forest 43, leading to the winning kick.

Bachmeier drove the Demon Deacons to the Louisiana 24, but Matthew Dennis’ 42-yard field goal hit the left upright and fell into the end zone as time expired.

Louisiana received the second-half kickoff and drove to Almendares’ 50-yard field goal that increased the Cajuns’ lead to 24-17.

On the ensuing possession, Demond Claiborne, who left the game in the first half because of a knee injury, ran 60 yards for a touchdown to tie the score.

Louisiana answered with Wooldridge’s 48-yard touchdown pass to Legendre to take a 31-24 lead.

Carney’s second touchdown run tied the score at the end of the third quarter.

Tyree Skipper intercepted Bachmeier for the game’s only takeaway and returned it to the Wake Forest 38 early in the fourth quarter. Louisiana capitalized on Bill Davis’s 2-yard run to pull ahead 38-31 with 8:07 left.

On the Cajuns’ first possession of the game, Wooldridge completed all eight of his passes for 57 yards, including a 2-yard touchdown throw to Tavion Smith for a 7-0 lead.

The Deacons drove to Dennis’ 39-yard field goal before Davis’ 60-yard run set up Wooldridge’s 1-yard plunge that gave Louisiana a 14-3 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Carney’s first touchdown trimmed the lead to 14-10 before Wooldridge threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Legendre.

Bachmeier answered with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Deuce Alexander, leaving Louisiana with a 21-17 halftime lead.

–Field Level Media

Cajuns quarterback Chandler Fields 18 throws a pass as Louisiana s Ragin Cajuns take on the Jaksonville State Gacmecocks in the R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl in the Caesars Superdome. New Orleans, La. Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023.

Jacksonville St. rallies to tie, defeats Louisiana in OT

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Garrison Rippa kicked a 27-yard field goal in overtime as Jacksonville State rallied late to defeat Louisiana 34-31 in the New Orleans Bowl on Saturday in the Superdome.

The Gamecocks finished 9-4 after winning their first bowl game in their second season as an FBS program.

Zion Webb threw a tying touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter to help JSU overcome three defensive touchdowns by the Ragin’ Cajuns (6-7).

Louisiana’s Kenneth Almendares was wide left on a 43-yard field-goal attempt on the first possession of overtime, setting the stage for the game-winner.

Jalen Clark had fumble and interception returns for first-half touchdowns and Tyree Skipper added a tie-breaking interception return for a touchdown for Louisiana, which got 155 passing yards from Chandler Fields.

Webb passed for 156 yards with two interceptions and Ron Wiggins rushed for 126 yards and a touchdown.

Webb’s 18-yard touchdown pass to Perry Carter on fourth-and-3 tied the score with 1:46 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Rippa kicked a 22-yard field goal on the Gamecocks’ first possession of the third quarter to give them a 17-14 lead.

The Cajuns answered with a 1-yard touchdown run by Fields on the ensuing possession to take a 21-17 lead.

Logan Smothers’ 10-yard touchdown run put JSU back on top, 24-21, at the end of the third quarter.

Almendares kicked a 33-yard field goal on the fourth play of the fourth quarter to tie the score.

Skipper intercepted Smothers and returned it 43 yards for a 31-24 lead with 5:32 remaining.

On the game’s first possession, Clark picked up Carter’s fumble and returned 46 yards for a touchdown.

JSU drove to Cole Fuller’s 1-yard touchdown run that tied the score at the end of the first quarter.

Clark intercepted Webb and returned 16 yards for a touchdown that gave the Cajuns a 14-7 lead.

Wiggins ran 7 yards for a touchdown with 23 seconds left, tying the score at 14 at halftime.

–Field Level Media

Sep 30, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers running back Bryce Williams (21) is tackled against the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns defense during the second quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota’s running game too strong for Louisiana

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Athan Kaliakmanis passed for two touchdowns and ran for another score as Minnesota defeated Louisiana 35-24 in a non-conference game Saturday in Minneapolis.

Kaliakmanis completed 12 of 14 for just 146 yards and rushed for just 17 yards, but he threw touchdown passes of 10 and 37 yards to Daniel Jackson, and Zach Evans and Bryce Williams each added a touchdown run for the Golden Gophers (3-2).

Minnesota played without freshman running back Darius Taylor, who averaged 176 rushing yards in the past three games but suffered an undisclosed injury late in a 37-34 overtime loss to Northwestern last week.

Redshirt freshman Zeon Chriss, making his second career start in place of injured Ben Wooldridge, passed for 172 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions for the Ragin’ Cajuns (3-2).

Chriss was Louisiana’s leading rusher, finishing with 74 yards on 10 attempts.

Minnesota drove 80 yards on the first possession of the third quarter and Evans, who finished with a game-high 85 rushing yards, completed the drive with an 18-yard touchdown run that gave the Gophers a 21-17 lead.

Tyler Nabin intercepted Chriss at the Louisiana 42 late in the third quarter, and on the third play of the fourth quarter, Williams ran 2 yards for a touchdown and a 28-17 lead.

On the ensuing possession, Jack Henderson intercepted Chriss at the Minnesota 44, and on fourth and 2, Kaliakmanis and Jackson teamed for their 37-yard score.

Jacob Kibodi ran 52 yards for a touchdown to trim the lead to 35-24 with 3:01 remaining.

On the first possession of the game Chriss threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Peter LeBlanc.

Kaliakmanis threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Jackson that tied the score at the end of the first quarter.

On the third play of the second quarter, Kenneth Almendares kicked a 28-yard field goal to give the Cajuns a 10-7 lead.

Kaliakmanis answered with a 2-yard touchdown run that gave the Gophers a 14-10 lead midway through the second quarter.

Chriss’ 6-yard touchdown pass to Robert Williams gave Louisiana a 17-14 halftime lead.

–Field Level Media

Sep 23, 2023; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers running back Darius Taylor (1) leaps over Northwestern Wildcats linebacker Kenny Soares Jr. (35) during the second half at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota, Louisiana try to brush off last week’s shaky endings

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Louisiana and Minnesota both saw big leads shrink in the fourth quarter last week.

The Ragin’ Cajuns (3-1), who were able to hold on for a victory, and the Golden Gophers (2-2), who fell in overtime, will meet in a nonconference game on Saturday in Minneapolis.

Minnesota had a 31-10 lead in the fourth quarter last week at Northwestern yet wound up losing 37-34 in OT.

Golden Gophers coach P.J. Fleck called the finish “a catastrophic 15 minutes.”

“We weren’t able to make enough plays on the offense, defense or special teams, and it cost us,” Fleck said. “It’s 100 percent on my shoulders. I’m the head football coach. Everything runs through me.”

Adding injury to insult was the fact that freshman running back Darius Taylor, who had 198 rushing yards and two touchdowns against Northwestern, was lost to an undisclosed injury late in the game. Fleck said he wouldn’t announce the status of Taylor, who has averaged 176.3 rushing yards over the past three games, for Saturday until “two hours before game time.”

Minnesota will try to shake off the effects of last week’s missed opportunity and avoid looking ahead to next week’s home game against No. 2 Michigan as it plays a Louisiana team that led visiting Buffalo 45-24 midway through the fourth quarter last week.

The Cajuns allowed back-to-back touchdowns that trimmed the gap to seven points with two minutes remaining. After a three-and-out by the Louisiana offense, Tyree Skipper made an interception that sealed the victory with 17 seconds left.

Redshirt freshman Zeon Chriss, making his first career start in place of injured Ben Wooldridge, completed 22 of 29 passes for 249 yards and a touchdown and two interceptions.

“I didn’t even want him to throw it that many times, to be honest with you,” Louisiana coach Michael Desormeaux said. “I didn’t want him to have to feel like he’s got to do it all.”

Chriss, who appears to be the starter for the foreseeable future, added 70 yards and two touchdowns on 11 rushes.

–Field Level Media

Mar 4, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Louisiana???Lafayette wide receiver Michael Jefferson (WO27) participates in drills at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

WR prospect Michael Jefferson required surgeries after car wreck

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Former Louisiana wide receiver and mid-round NFL draft prospect Michael Jefferson was involved in a multi-car wreck that required multiple surgeries, his agent told ESPN on Tuesday.

The accident happened Sunday night in Mobile, Ala., Jefferson’s hometown. No other details were available.

The 6-foot-4 Jefferson led the Ragin’ Cajuns with 51 catches for 810 yards and seven touchdowns in 2022. Louisiana went 6-7, earning a bowl berth against Houston in the Independence Bowl.

He caught 69 passes for 1,291 yards and 11 TDs in two seasons at Louisiana.

Jefferson is ranked as the No. 41 wideout in the upcoming draft by ESPN. NFL.com ranks him as a bottom of roster or practice squad player in the NFL.

Jefferson transferred to Louisiana from Alabama State. He played three seasons (2018-20) with the Hornets, an FCS school.

–Field Level Media

Dec 23, 2022; Shreveport, Louisiana, USA; Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns wide receiver Lance Legendre (12) runs after a catch as Houston Cougars linebacker Mannie Nunnery (14) makes the tackle during the first half in the 2022 Independence Bowl at Independence Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Houston beats Louisiana in Independence Bowl on late TD

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Clayton Tune completed 19 of 28 passes for 216 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winner with 20 seconds remaining, to lift Houston to a 23-16 comeback win over Louisiana in the Independence Bowl on Friday afternoon in Shreveport, La.

Tune found Nathaniel Dell open for a 12-yard touchdown pass with 20 seconds remaining to break a 16-16 tie and clinch the win for the Cougars (8-5) in what was their third consecutive bowl appearance.

Louisiana (6-7) lost starting quarterback Chandler Fields in the fourth quarter to an apparent leg injury. Backup Zeon Chriss completed 4 of 6 passes for 25 yards but was intercepted by Jayce Rogers on the Ragin’ Cajuns’ final drive. D’Anthony Jones also had a key sack for the Cougars on that drive.

Fields completed 17 of 25 passes for 169 yards and a touchdown as Louisiana relied mostly on its passing game early on. Houston also flipped its offensive script early, trying to go to the ground more often until Tune found some offensive rhythm late in the first half. Tune, who made his 38th career start for Houston, was one of three Cougars to rack up 45 yards rushing.

The Ragin’ Cajuns set the tone early with a 15-play, 75-yard drive that took up nearly half the first quarter and was capped by a 4-yard touchdown catch in the corner of the end zone by Johnny Lumpkin.

Houston trailed 13-0 in the second quarter before Tune found KeSean Carter for a 33-yard touchdown pass in the back of the end zone with three minutes left. Carter led Houston with 104 yards and that touchdown on just four catches.

Kyle Ramsey missed the extra point, however, and Louisiana tacked on its third field goal of the second quarter to take a 16-6 halftime lead.

Tune’s 2-yard touchdown pass to Dell with 9:21 left in the third quarter pulled Houston to within 16-13.

Houston’s defense managed to hold Louisiana’s offense, which ran for 129 yards, in check throughout the second half.

–Field Level Media

Nov 26, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars quarterback Clayton Tune (3) attempts a pass during the first quarter against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Louisiana plans for Houston’s passing attack at Independence Bowl

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Louisiana and Houston both kept their streaks of bowl appearances alive this season and are bracing for their clash Friday, Dec. 23 in the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, La.

The Ragin’ Cajuns (6-6) will make their fifth consecutive bowl appearance while the Cougars (7-5) are in a bowl for the third consecutive season.

Like other teams in their respective situations, Houston and Louisiana are already concentrating on recruiting and the transfer portal as each program looks to build for the future.

But Houston coach Dana Holgorsen isn’t discounting what a victory in this game could mean.

“I think for bowl games to survive they’ve got to create some interesting matchups and I think this is an interesting matchup,” Holgorsen said recently. “I know the history of the Independence Bowl. I’ve watched it forever. It’s got a lot of great history and tradition, and I’m excited about digging into that.”

The Cougars lead the all-time series against Louisiana 6-3, but the Ragin’ Cajuns won the most recent matchup 31-28 in Houston in 2006. This will be the first bowl matchup between them.

Houston possesses one of the most potent offenses and passing games in the nation, scoring 37.2 points per game and passing for 321.1 yards per game.

Quarterback Clayton Tune has thrown for 3,845 yards, 37 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He is one of the players the Cougars are trying to replace next season, likely through the portal.

His top target is Nathaniel Dell, who leads the team with 103 catches for 1,354 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Louisiana has already been hit hard by key departures to the NFL draft, losing defensive end Andre Jones, which makes its defensive task even more difficult in this game. The Ragin’ Cajuns will have to rely on their less experienced defenders to try and slow Houston’s aerial assault.

“John (Stephens), Pete (LeBlanc), Errol (Rogers Jr.), Jake Bernard, those guys need to step up a little bit and play their best game,” Louisiana coach Michael Desormeaux told reporters recently. “Then you add (wide receiver) Lance (Legendre), who’s played more and more as the season has gone on, but now it’s his time to go out there and do it.”

Chandler Fields (954 yards, 10 touchdowns and four interceptions) leads Louisiana’s passing game although his top target, Michael Jefferson, has also declared for the draft. Louisiana’s leading rusher Chris Smith (579 yards, three touchdowns) will play.

–Field Level Media