Cajuns Count On Defense
BOBBY ARDOIN
St. Landry Now.com Editor
Until proven otherwise, the best friend of the Louisiana offense might be the Cajuns’ defense.
Louisiana head football coach Mike Desormeaux thinks it’s a strategy worth considering.
It was obvious following the Cajuns’ 22-10 loss to Southern Mississippi at Lourdes Stadium on Saturday night that Desormeaux remained frustrated with the continued inability of his team to convert offensive opportunities into momentum and points.
That was evident throughout the game against Southern Miss.
Cajuns’ quarterback Lunch Winfield fumbled away a probable fourth quarter touchdown run by fumbling into the arms of Eagles’ defenders as he approached the goal line with 12:18 remaining.
Earlier in the game the Cajuns were driving, but Winfield was intercepted at the USM 32. The Eagles used the turnover to create a new possession that helped tie the game at seven with 7:42 before half.
A Cajuns’ pass interception by Tyree Skipper that was returned to the Southern Miss 18 late in the second quarter proved fruitless as Tony Sterner missed a 36-yard field goal
In a 24-14 loss at James Madison last Saturday, the Cajuns were stopped again at the goal line on the final play of the first half.
“The opportunities that we have on offense are there, but we don’t capitalize. We’ll turn the ball over, then fumble on the one. It’s been one thing after another and what happened (Saturday night) was the way it has been all year,” Desormeaux said at the postgame press conference.
“It looks like we’re going to have to play good defense the rest of the way,” Desormeaux said.
Louisiana rushed for 217 against Southern Miss, but the Cajuns’ passing game, which has been sporadic all season, provided only 135, as Winfield, starting his second game, was 14-of-27 with two interceptions.
Winfield, Desormeaux said, is playing “well off of 100 percent,” physically.
Still there was no hesitation however to sit Winfield due to a leg injury, Descormeaux added.
“He’s the guy who has been moving the ball. He said he felt good and he kept asking for the ball. We just need to find a way to get it to him,” said Desormeaux.
Winfield said his teammates are supportive.
“My team believes in me and I believe in them. The pain, well I just go through it. (The leg) hurts sometimes and sometimes it doesn’t. I’ve just got to be more disciplined,” said Winfield, who was also tackled in the end zone for a safety.
There were other key offensive injuries for Louisiana, as three offensive linemen were ruled out for the USM game..
Cajuns’ linebacker Jaden Dugger, who had 10 tackles and six assists against USM, said the defense is ready to provide assistance while the offense eradicates the difficulties.
“We’re a team. (The offense) has our backs for two weeks and now we have got to do our jobs,” said Dugger.
The Cajuns have now lost five of seven games in 2025, with consecutive road trips to Sun Belt Conference opponents Troy and South Alabama.
Desormeaux said he’s determined to unravel the issues for his offense.
“We just have to go back and figure out how to do things better and fight through it. Now we’re getting ready to go back on the road. None of those teams are unhappy to see us lose. No one is going to feel sorry for us,” said Desormeaux.
