The Ragin’ Cajuns Lose in Blowout Fashion to Arkansas State

The Ragin' Cajuns came into this game riding high on a two game winning streak beating two Sun Belt Conference opponents and seemed ready to take on their rivals in the Red Wolves of Arkansas State.

This game would get off to an inauspicious start for UL as they received the opening kickoff. On the third offensive play of the game it was quarterback Andre Nunez who was sacked, fumbled, recovered by Caleb Caston of Arkansas State, and promptly returned 24 yards for a touchdown.

That play pretty much set the tone for how the rest of the game would go.

After another empty series for the offensive the Red Wolves set their sights on more points. The big play on this drive would be a bit of a trick play as wide receiver Chauncey Mason would end up throwing the football and connecting with quarterback Justice Hansen who brought it in for a 34 yard gain. That play set them up from the UL 3 yard line and two plays later it was running back Johnston White who plunged into the end zone. Arkansas State lead 14-0 after one offensive possession.

The only offense of the night for UL would come from the Cajuns kicker, Stevie Artigue who knocked through an impressive 51 yard field goal. At that point it was 14-3 and you thought there might be some hope that the offense could get things together.

They got a chance quickly after the field goal as the defense came up with a big play, forcing a fumble of running back Jamal Jones. That set the offense up with phenomenal field position at the Arkansas 21 yard line with a chance to really get back into this ball game.

However, it was not to be as Andre Nunez made a costly mistake on an ill-advised throw to the end zone which was intercepted by the Red Wolves. That play basically took all the wind out of the Cajuns sails for the night.

The Red Wolves would continue to pile on the points in the first half and held a 34-3 lead heading into halftime. Right before the half our Cody Junot asked Coach Hudspeth who would quarterback his team for the second half? His response, "It might help a little to get some quarterback play...I may play QB in 2nd half cant do any worse."

Clearly Coach Hud was frustrated at the time with his team not performing the way he expected them to perform in the first half.

The second half was basically a defensive stalemate as both teams combined to punt the ball seven times. The only points of the half came on a Red Wolves field goal by Sawyer Williams and a Chauncey Mason 10 yard touchdown run. The final score was Arkansas State 47, University of Louisiana 3.

No doubt it was a tough game for the Ragin' Cajuns in this one. The team doesn't play again now for 16 days and has ample time to make adjustments, learn and grow from this loss.

The next opponent will be at the University of South Alabama on November 4th.