Photograph by Mike Curley
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
Although many are not aware of it, the Louisiana football program still has the longest winning streak of any college football team in the nation.
That string of consecutive victories could be a jeopardy Saturday when the Cajuns visit Rice Stadium beginning at 6:30 p.m.
UL-Lafayette has two consecutive victories this season, while Rice is (1-1) after an opening-game loss to Southern Cal and a (52-10) victory over McNeese in Houston last Saturday night.
Cajuns’ head football coach Mike Desormeaux doesn’t hesitate to size up the Owls.
“(Rice) is the best team that we are going to play so far. They are also the most multiple team that we are going to face, offensively and defensively. They have good schemes on both sides of the ball. Rice also uses a fullback, which is something that we haven’t seen so far,” Desormeaux said during his regular Monday noon press conference.
Louisiana has spent the week attempting to contemplate a perplexing (49-21) victory over Eastern Michigan last week. The Cajuns muddled through a first half and it wasn’t until the latter part of the third quarter that Louisiana began to settle into a rhythm offensively.
The Cajuns were penalized for 100 yards against EMU, but Louisiana again hasn’t experienced any turnovers in eight quarters of 2022.
Louisiana ended the second half with five straight touchdowns, something that Desormeaux said will help build momentum against Rice.
“I think the defense kept us in the (EMU) game and effort is going to take care of a lot of think. We are still looking for a full game in all three phases,” Desormeaux said.
Desormeaux still plans to go with a dual quarterback system that he said has worked well in the two victories.
Quarterbacks Chandler Fields and Ben Wooldridge have played about equally, although Desormeaux has indicated Fields will still be the starter.
Statistically Fields has thrown for 268 yards and three touchdowns. Wooldridge has passed for 142 with the identical number of TD passes.
“Our two guys have handled it just great. They are good friends and they pull for each other,” said Desormeaux.
Rice meanwhile has averaged 383 total offensive yards while allowing opponents 450.
Owls’ Quarterback TJ McMahon has averaged 177 yards passing while completed 35 of 59 passing attempts.
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