Featured Photograph: -UL RB Chris Smith finds yardage up the middle in a loss to the Troy Trojans by a score of 23-17 (Photograph by Mike Curley.)
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
When the final result is inexplicable, the best approach is to move the thinking forward.
That’s the most suitable plan currently available for the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns, who have only five days to regroup after a stunning defeat that included surrendering 23 unanswered points and 201 yards in the final 15 minutes to Troy University Saturday night at Cajun Field.
The Cajuns (4-5, 2-4) are scheduled to host Georgia Southern in a nationally-televised home game Thursday night, giving Louisiana perhaps another chance at obtaining a postseason bowl berth for the fifth time in as many years.
Postgame explanations were vague about why the Cajuns, who led the Sun Belt Conference game 17-0 midway through the third quarter, failed to score and gained only 14 yards during the final 15 minutes, while allowing Troy (7-2, 5-1) to score 23 unanswered fourth period points.
No one seemed more perplexed about the outcome than Louisiana head football coach Michael Desormeaux.
“This is a loss in the worst way. In the end it was a failure of us to execute well enough in all three phases and make them work. Everyone has a piece in this. It’s hard to find words,” said Desormeaux.
Technically the Cajuns possibly could have adjusted better defensively to a pre-snap motioning scheme Troy deployed as the Trojans’ comeback began, Desormeaux said.
Also the offense, which registered minus one total yard in the fourth quarter, failed to sustain potential drives, Desormeaux added.
Ultimately there was a more simple explanation, noted Desormeaux.
“It came down to Troy making some plays at the end and we didn’t. (Troy) had the opportunities to put drive together and we didn’t,” Desormeaux added.
What Desormeaux possibly forgot to mention is West Division leader Troy ranks 11th nationally in limiting opponents’ success during the fourth quarter.
The Trojans entered the Louisiana game allowing teams an average of four points during the final period.
Desormeaux said he considered the loss especially disheartening for the Cajuns’ senior players who were honored during pregame ceremonies.
Cajuns’ quarterback Ben Wooldridge, who passed for 112 yards without an interception, said he was disappointed, especially for the senior players.
“They are the ones who built this team. They are the ones who built this culture for how hard we work,” said Wooldridge.
Although blame distribution was available for all concerned in his program, Desormeaux said it was still up to the coaching staff to make the necessary decisions in order to finish games.
The alternative is to look ahead to Georgia Southern (6-3, 3-2), Desormeaux said.
“There are still things attainable for us (with three games remaining), like a bowl and a (division) championship,” Desormeaux said during a postgame press conference.
Wooldridge said the prescription for the Cajuns now is to focus on the future.
“It’s easy. We have a chance now to play in five days. It’s better for us to play rather than dwell (on the Troy loss),” Wooldridge said.
Normally bowl invitations are extended when teams have six or more victories.
In addition to facing Georgia Southern, the Cajuns in November play at Florida State and Texas State before concluding the regular season.
The loss also seemed similar to two earlier SBC defeats this season when the Cajuns allowed a second half comeback to UL-Monroe in a 21-17 loss and another the following week when South Alabama kicked a field goal during the final minute to defeat the Cajuns 20-17.
Desormeaux said the Troy loss, at least in the moments afterward, was especially hard to digest.
“It’s tough to look at our guys who come to practice every day and work so hard and who are playing their hearts out for the Cajuns. There are still things out there that are available for us, but we have got to figure out a way to close out games,” said Desormeaux.
