Photograph: Louisiana Ragin Cajuns CB Amir McDaniel lays out for a tackle during the Ragin’ Cajuns 38-18 win over Arkansas State at Cajun Field in Lafayette, Louisiana on October 22, 2022. (Photograph by Mike Curley.)
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
The defense has provided UL-Lafayette with the opportunity to win games all season.
Now the offense is becoming a noticeable contributor.
While Arkansas State was held to 271 total yards Saturday at Cajun Field, Louisiana passed and ran for a combined 522 during a 38-18 Sun Belt Conference victory.
The win before an estimated 15,101, was the second straight for the Cajuns, who started their SBC schedule with consecutive losses.
Louisiana head football coach Mike Desormeaux said at this point both sides of the ball have begun contributing as the Cajuns (4-3, 2-2) move forward towards a game this Thursday at Southern Mississippi.
“Everyone did their part (against Arkansas State),” said Desormeaux.
Offensively Arkansas State (2-6, 1-4) struggled, as the Red Wolves failed to convert on all 11 third down situations.
Louisiana quarterback Ben Wooldridge, making the second start for the Cajuns, threw five touchdown passes, while the running game emerged with four backs attempting 50 rushes.
Desormeaux noted the improvement offensively and attributed some of that to Wooldridge.
“Wooldridge is a tremendous leader. He is competitive on every play, making good decisions,” said Desormeaux.
The game against ASU was special for him personally, said Wooldridge, who became somewhat emotional when he talked about his mother and grandparents watching him play against the Red Wolves.
“I was out there trying to do my best. I’ve always tried to be the best son that I can be, for the things that they did for me growing up,” said Wooldridge.
Wooldridge however was the first to admit that his performance against the Wolves had some assistance.
“Our offensive line has shown improvement. They are just developing now and getting better. I’m just doing my job. (Arkansas State) has a complicated defense; they mix things up. Our o-line is just developing and getting better and the running backs are doing a great job,” Wooldridge said.
Desormeaux said the offensive line development was probably slowed since many of the current starters missed significant time during spring practices.
“It takes time to develop cohesion and now their communication has become better. It’s taken (the offensive line) time to get there and that has had something to do with where we are now,” Desormeaux said.
Wooldridge mainly targeted four receivers.
Jacob Bernard caught four throws and a 55-yard touchdown for 97 yards, while Dontae Fleming, a sophomore from LaPlace, had five receptions for 81 and a pair of touchdowns.
The first scoring catch for Fleming was a seven-yard, first quarter reception for the Cajuns’ initial score.
In the third period Fleming hauled in a 55-yarder from Wooldridge.
Fleming, who entered the game with six receptions for 29 yards, said he just worked hard while waiting for his opportunity.
“I’ve been waiting for my time to come. I knew that it would happen. I wanted to play and get better and (against ASU) the o-line did its job. I’ve just put it upon myself to get better,” Fleming said.
Linebacker Jourdan Quibodeaux said it’s usually up to the defense to set the tone.
“How the defense plays puts a spark into the whole team. On defense you want action and the way our defense is set up, everyone is running to the ball,” said Quibodeaux.
