Photograph: Louisiana head football coach Mike Desormeaux
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Contributing Writer
The Louisiana offense turned colder than the frigid temperatures during the second half at the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl Friday as the University of Houston passing game gradually awoke from an early slumber.
Houston quarterback Clayton Tune, named the player MVP, passed for three touchdowns – two in the second half – as the Cougars defeated Louisiana 23-16 at Independence Stadium, where late-game temperatures reached just above 20 degrees.
Tune, who passed for nearly 3,800 regular season yards in 2022, completed 19-of-28 passes for 216 yards, including a game-deciding 92-yard, final touchdown possession that began with three minutes remaining.
The Cajuns, who finished 6-7 under first-year head coach Mike Desormeaux, led 16-6 at halftime after starting quarterback Chandler Fields threw a five-yard scoring pass to tight end Johnny Lumpkin and placekicker Kenneth Almendares kicked three field goals.
That however covered nearly all of the offensive highlights for Louisiana, as the Cougars recovered two second half fumbles by running back Chris Smith.
The second fumble by Smith on the Cougars’ 4-yard line nullified a potential scoring drive that began on the Louisiana 20 yard line with 13:36 remaining in the game.
Desormeaux said after that game that the Cajuns were victimized by too many of their own second half mistakes.
“You can’t do that in a tight game, which during the second half, was played mostly on our end,” said Desormeaux.
Desormeaux said he pulled Fields from the game in the fourth quarter due to an undisclosed injury and turned the offense over to true freshman Zeon Chriss, who directed the scoring drive that ended when Houston’s Donovan Mutin pounced on the second Smith fumble.
“I felt confident (with Chriss) and Chandler who was playing so good before he was injured. I thought it was in our best interests not to get (Fields) back out there,” Desormeaux said.
Fields passes for 159 yards off 17 completions. Wide receiver Lance Legedre had five receptions for 56 yards.
The Cajuns’ lineup was reduced for the bowl game, Desormeaux said.
“I really can’t say enough about our guys and I am so proud of them. A lot of guys didn’t make the trip with us for various reasons, but we played with our best guys out there. We’re not going to make any excuses,” Desormeaux said.
The Cougars executed two key plays during their final scoring drive, as Tune ran for 32 yards on first down and later completed a 38-yard pass to wide receiver Ke’Sean Carter for another 38.
With 20 seconds remaining Tune connected with wide receiver Nathaniel Dell on a 12-yard scoring pass.
Dell caught six passes for 44 yards and two touchdowns, while Carter had three receptions for 104 yards and one TD.
Houston (8-5) opened the second half with a 13-play, 70-yard scoring drive that ended with a Tune-to-Dell touchdown pass of six yards.
That cut the Cajuns’ lead to three points (16-13) with 9:21 left in the period.
The Cougars scored again early in the third period when Kyle Ramsey kicked a 19-yard field goal to tie the game at 16.
