Photograph from University of Minnesota, Bjorn Franke photo.
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
The question facing the Louisiana and Texas State football teams on Saturday is how many points will be enough.
Both the Cajuns and TSU have displayed offenses that average at least four touchdowns, a mathematical component which could make the Sun Belt Conference game at Cajun Field more dramatic when the programs meet beginning at 2:30 p.m.
Texas State (4-1, 1-0) , which features a new coaching staff equipped with an onslaught of Division 1 transfer portal starters, averages 43.4 points a game.
Louisiana (3-2,0-1) meanwhile is capable of nearly matching that output. The Cajuns are averaging almost 36 points,
Louisiana head football coach Mike Desormeaux thinks that the Cajuns’ defense, which has 19 sacks in 2023, could provide the key if his team wants to win a first conference game this year.
“For (Texas State), it’s all about tempo and getting players into open spaces, using the perimeter screens and running the ball. One negative play against them can turn into two. They seem to be living on the big play,.Their offensive formula is not to have a long drive,” Desormeaux said earlier this week.
The Texas State quarterback is redshirt sophomore TJ Finley, a Ponchatoula, La. native and former LSU signee. Finley later left LSU and played at Auburn.
Finley is completing 73.8 percent of his passes for 1,393 yards and 10 touchdowns in five games.
Desormeaux recruited Finley as a Louisiana offensive assistant and added that Finley has always possessed the credentials to perform at a high level collegiately.
“It’s been well documented that (Finley) is a good player. Right now (Texas State) is letting him play to his strengths. He’s a. guy with a big arm and someone who’s a good runner. I’m really happy for him, because he seems to have really landed on his feet,” Desormeaux noted.
The Cajuns will feature redshirt freshman quarterback Zeon Chriss, who will start his third game for Louisiana.
Chriss, considered a dual threat, has run for 260 yards and four touchdowns, while throwing for another 595 yards and 4 TD’s.
Louisiana has a rushing attack led by Jacob Kibodi, a Texas A&M transfer, who has rushed for 232 yards and four touchdowns over the last two games.
One of the weapons the Cajuns possess however is a defense which features defensive lineman Jordan Lawson (averaging four sacks a game) and linebacker Kendre Gant, who has accumulated 18 tackles during his last four games.
U.S. Armed Services Salute — The Cajuns are promoting the game as an Armed Services Day contest, with activities and ticket promotions scheduled for active, retired and POW families.
