Cajuns Get Needed Win
BOBBY ARDOIN
St. Landry Now.com Editor
(Photos by Mike Curley)
Can one play or defensive stop determine the direction of a season?
Louisiana head coach Mike Desormeaux felt that way on Saturday night as his football team secured a key Sun Belt Conference victory at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium.
After surrendering a pair of late-game SBC defeats in the last three games, the Cajuns used the final minutes against South Alabama to make a game-deciding play and escape with a 28-26 win that also gave Louisiana a sixth victory and repeat bowl-eligible status.
With 10 Cajuns’ penalties for 60 yards, there was little aesthetic context attached to the win — the 35th since Desormeaux became head coach in December, 2021.
The essence for this victory contained something different, Desormeaux said, an important victory not only to possibly advance into the postseason, but one in which the Cajuns won when its opponent was threatening a fourth quarter comeback win.
“To get a ninth bowl game in a row, this streak really means a lot to our team. But we’re not done. We want to make a run and finish strong,” added Desormeaux.
Important Moment
The definitive play that sealed the win occurred with 2:33 remaining, when Cajuns’ cornerback Micah Johnson arrived at the same time that a Bishop Davenport pass reached a Jaguars’ wide receiver.
Johnson took control of the throw instead, ending a game-winning USA drive that started on the Jaguars’ 30-yard line.
There isn’t much time to enjoy the victory however.
Louisiana goes to ULM for a Thursday game that is scheduled to begin on ESPN2 at 8 pm.
Preparations
The Cajuns had a bye week to reset from a 35-31 loss at Southern Mississippi.
Desormeaux said the extra days of practice without game preparation were significant.
“We challenged them to go out and do the things the way we want to do them. This sort of propelled our energy,” said Desormeaux.
Louisiana cornerback Collin Jacob agreed.
“This was big for us, especially after losing the way that we did (against Southern Miss). We practiced that play (on the Johnson interception),” said Jacob, who had seven tackles and an assist.
Running Game
Offensively running back JJ Garner, provided explosive highlights for a Louisiana running game that produced 312 rushing yards.
Garner, a 200-pound redshirt freshman, gained 84 yards on four carries. Garner also broke the opening kickoff with a 100-yard return that took only 12 seconds from end zone to end zone.
In the second quarter Garner scored again on a 65-yard run which gave him his eighth touchdown in the last six games.
The plan against the Jaguars, Garner said, was to get physical with the rushing attack.
“We were running the ball all week (in practice). (The) coach said we were going to run it down their throats. So we knew that we were going to have to step up and bring it,” Garner said.
Other Highlights
While Garner gained 239 all-purpose yards, quarterback Lunch Winfield ran for a team high 136 and threw for another 147.
Winfield however threw his third straight TD interception that occurred on a 72-yard Jason Moson pick.
Desormeaux establishing a dominant rushing game was important.
“We had to run the ball. They were going to run it and we were going to run it. The team that did it better was the team that would probably win,” said Desormeaux.
