Cajuns Look Back, Forward
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
It was as much a glance backward as it was a glimpse of what potentially lies ahead.
That at least seemed to be the sentiment of Louisiana head football coach Mike Desormeaux whose Cajuns ended 2024 with a 31-point defeat to Texas Christian University in the Isleta New Mexico Bowl.
Desormeaux bid goodbye following the 34-3 loss on Saturday to many of the players who had invested deeply in the Cajuns’ program over the past several seasons.
The game played at the University of New Mexico Stadium, was the third straight bowl defeat for Louisiana in as many seasons.
Due to injuries and a number of players’ defections through the December college football portal, Louisiana played TCU without many key starters, giving Desormeaux the opportunity to preview the next iteration of talent.
Senior quarterback Ben Woolridge started and played all but the final eight minutes of the game after suffering an upper body injury about six weeks ago, while placekicker Kenneth Amondares made the final field goal of his Louisiana career.
Almondares, named to the 2024 Associated Press All-America team, had made 27 straight field goals before missing a 54-yard attempt in the first half.
Woolridge, Desormeaux said afterward, deserved the start since Woolridge was a major part of the Louisiana season (10-4) and a seventh straight postseason bowl appearance.
“If not for (Woolridge), we wouldn’t be here,” Desormeaux said.
Desormeaux had compliments for his entire team however.
“I couldn’t be prouder of them. Our last two games do not define our season. This team has been a joy to coach. Now the challenge will be for our staff to put together a team that shows the same chemistry, leadership and togetherness as this one,” Desormeaux said.
Louisiana opens the 2025 season in Lafayette at a newly-renovated Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium against Rice University.
Multiple sources indicated last week that Desormeaux is also scheduled to agree to a five-year contract extension as head coach.
Six Louisiana players participated in their first college game and several others made their first starts, including left tackle Mackey Mailho and linebacker Terrance Williams.
The Cajuns trailed 27-0 at halftime and didn’t score until Almondares’ 25-yard field goal with 12:05 remaining in the game
“At the start we came out and got punched in the mouth. We didn’t play extra clean early. (TCU) played a cleaner game at the start and we didn’t,” Desormeaux added.
Woolridge experienced some difficulty throwing the ball, completing seven-of-20 for 61 yards with an interception.
The first half was particularly dreadful for both the Cajuns’ offense and defense.
TCU finished the initial two quarters with 262 yards, with 218 of that total coming through the air.
Louisiana meanwhile finished with 68 total yards and three first downs on 21 snaps.
