It’s an early rivalry week in the Bayou State as the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns head north for a Thursday night showdown against the UL-Monroe Warhawks. Kickoff is set for 8pm from FMOL Health | St. Francis Stadium, and will be nationally televised on ESPN2. UL enter the matchup 6-3 overall and 4-2 in the Sun Belt fresh off a thrilling 28-26 victory over South Alabama, securing bowl eligibility for the ninth consecutive season. Meanwhile, the 2-7 overall Warhawks are 2-3 in the Sun Belt and are coming off a 19-17 road victory over Arkansas State, their second win in three games following an 0-6 start. Louisiana leads the all-time series 35-26 and has won the last three meetings, including a narrow 30-27 overtime victory in Lafayette last season. With both teams in the Sun Belt West, the two clash every year, typically for the final regular season week, commonly known as rivalry week. This year, however, the matchup comes a bit earlier than usual. With both teams coming off emotional victories and having just five days between games, Thursday’s matchup presents an intriguing challenge for these in-state rivals. The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Head coach Michael Desormeaux and the Ragin’ Cajuns enter Thursday’s contest looking to build on their sixth victory of the season and continue improving their position in the Sun Belt West standings, which outside Louisiana Tech’s first place spot, is currently highly contested. Louisiana’s offense this season has leaned heavily on its rushing attack, averaging 203.6 yards per game on the ground. Quarterback Lunch Winfield has been a major part of that success, leading the Cajuns with 567 rushing yards while also throwing for 1,599 yards and seven touchdowns. Redshirt freshman JJ Garner is the leader in the running back room with 441 rushing yards, averaging 7.2 per carry. UL is coming off their best rushing performance of the season, piling up 312 yards against South Alabama. JJ Garner provided the fireworks, rushing for 136 yards on just 10 carries, including a 65-yard touchdown. Garner also returned the opening kickoff 100 yards for a score, finishing the afternoon with 239 all-purpose yards. Winfield added 97 rushing yards while completing 10 of his 14 passes for 147 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Louisiana has been relatively consistent throughout the season, allowing 21.8 points and 323 yards per game. The unit delivered when it mattered most against South Alabama, with Jake St. Andre recording a crucial sack before Micah Johnson intercepted a pass to seal the victory. Safety Collin Jacob made his return from injury in that game, providing the defense with a spark. However, one area Louisiana will look to improve is its performance away from Lafayette. The Cajuns are a perfect 5-0 at home this season, but just 1-3 on the road, with close losses to Louisiana Tech and Southern Miss. Their lone road win came against a current 1-8 Charlotte 49ers team who held UL to under 300 total yards back in late September. Thursday presents another opportunity to prove they can carry their success away from Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium. Maybe UL-Monroe’s stadium name now having a similar connection to Louisiana’s stadium might be the key for them this time. Kneaux the Opponent: The UL-Monroe Warhawks UL-Monroe started the season 0-6 and averaging only 20 points per game in what appeared to be yet another lost season for Bryant Vincent. Then they went on to win two of the last three games to put them at 2-7. But a word of caution—don’t let that 2-7 record fool you. After dropping their first six games, the Warhawks earned its first victory of the season with a 21-14 road win over Troy. Then following a loss to Southern Miss, UL-Monroe bounced back with a 19-17 victory at Arkansas State last Saturday. And while they still averaged 20 points per game over the last three games, their defense has cut down on the yards they’ve allowed per game by roughly 186 yards. The Warhawks offense through the season has averaged 338.4 yards per game, which as opposed to the Cajuns, much of their production has come through the passing game. Senior quarterback Aidan Armenta has thrown for 1,413 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions this season. Sophomore quarterback Austin Carlisle has also played a role for the Warhawks from time to time. Carlisle’s usage has been interesting in the sense that he has provided another dimension to the UL-Monroe offense with his mobility. He leads the team with 363 rushing yards and was particularly effective against Arkansas State, rushing for 111 yards on 19 carries. The Warhawks finished that game with a season-high 268 rushing yards. Through the air, wide receiver Marcellus Jackson leads the team with 35 receptions for 370 yards, while Nic Trujillo has recorded three receiving touchdowns. Parker Fulghum and LT Robinson have also been a big part of the Warhawks passing game this season. Defensively, UL-Monroe has struggled throughout the season, surrendering 34.8 points and 421.2 yards per game. The Warhawks have been particularly vulnerable against the run, allowing an average of 211.1 rushing yards per contest. Linebacker Noah Flemmings has been one of the few bright spots on that defense, leading the team with 84 total tackles. But other than that, it has been an underperforming defense that has only forced nine turnovers all season. Although the Warhawks can no longer reach the traditional six-win threshold for bowl eligibility, the Warhawks still have plenty to play for. Defeating their in-state rival on national television would undoubtedly be one of the highlights of an otherwise disappointing season. What to Watch For A Potentially Run-Heavy Matchup Both teams are coming off impressive rushing performances, with Louisiana running for 312 yards against South Alabama and UL-Monroe totaling 268 against Arkansas State. The Cajuns should have a significant opportunity to establish their ground game against a Warhawks defense that’s allowing more than 200 rushing yards per contest. On the other side, Louisiana must prepare for UL-Monroe’s quarterback-driven rushing attack, particularly with Carlisle’s ability to extend plays and create opportunities with his legs. The Cajuns have been fairly solid against the run overall, but mobile quarterbacks have occasionally exposed the defense, particularly when they break containment. Louisiana’s Offensive Execution Despite accumulating 459 yards of total offense, including 312 rushing yards, against South Alabama last Saturday, the Cajuns narrowly escaped with a 28-26 victory. Louisiana scored three offensive touchdowns, while JJ Garner added a 100-yard kickoff return for a score. However, a costly interception by quarterback Lunch Winfield was returned 72 yards for a touchdown by South Alabama’s Jaylen Moson, helping the Jaguars stay within striking distance. Although Louisiana moved the football effectively, the Cajuns were held scoreless in the fourth quarter. Against a struggling UL-Monroe defense, Louisiana must capitalize on scoring opportunities, protect the football and avoid allowing costly mistakes to keep the Warhawks in the game. The Cajuns have had their fair share of mistakes on the road when it comes to obvious passing situations. The Home and Away Factor One of the more interesting storylines entering Thursday is the contrast between each team’s performances based on location. Louisiana has struggled on the road, winning just one of its four contests away from Lafayette. However, UL-Monroe has experienced even greater difficulties at home, entering Thursday winless in four home games this season. Something will have to give when the Cajuns and Warhawks meet under the lights in Monroe. Louisiana’s Shrunken Backfield On Monday, Coach Desormeaux announced to the media that running back Anthony Reagan Jr. has been ruled out for the season following a knee injury against South Alabama last week. This comes just weeks after running back Darrell Smith was also ruled out for the season with a knee injury, which he suffered against Arkansas State. UL is now down to three healthy running backs on the roster in JJ Garner, Steven Blanco, and Ke’Rynn Smith. Smith, a true freshman, has not seen the field much, but is now expected to play a role in the Cajuns’ running back rotation. As he is young and relatively new to the team, we shouldn’t expect to see him much of him just yet, but it is important to note that this is a thin running back room. Keys to the Game 1. Establish the Running Game Early It’s the number one key every game. Louisiana’s offensive identity has clearly revolved around its ground attack, and Thursday’s matchup presents another favorable opportunity against vulnerable run defense. With the Warhawks allowing 211.1 rushing yards per game, the Cajuns should look to establish Winfield, Garner and the rest of their rushing attack early. Winning the battle at the line of scrimmage would allow Louisiana to control possession and dictate the pace of the game. 2. Contain UL-Monroe’s Mobile Quarterbacks Carlisle and Armenta combined for 144 rushing yards against Arkansas State, demonstrating their ability to create problems for opposing defenses. Louisiana’s defensive front must remain disciplined, maintain gap integrity and prevent UL-Monroe’s quarterbacks from extending drives with their legs. Forcing the Warhawks into predictable passing situations could also create opportunities for a defense that has recorded seven interceptions this season. 3. Finish Drives and Protect the Football Louisiana has been one of the more efficient teams in the country at putting points on the board once inside the red zone, scoring on 30 of its 31 trips this season. Against a vulnerable UL-Monroe defense, the Cajuns must capitalize on scoring opportunities rather than allow the Warhawks to hang around. Avoiding costly turnovers will be equally important, especially against a rival who has gained confidence from two recent road victories. 4. Play a Complete Four Quarters on the Road The Cajuns have already experienced several close finishes this season, including their one-point loss to Louisiana Tech, four-point loss to Southern Miss and two-point victory over South Alabama. Unfortunately those two losses have more than likely cost them the opportunity to contend for the Sun Belt title game, and both were on the road. With a short turnaround and a hostile rivalry environment, UL cannot afford an inconsistent performance. Not that we should expect many fans in Monroe to be there and make it a hostile environment, but I digress. Establishing an early lead, maintaining defensive discipline and executing late in the game will be essential to securing another road victory. Final Score Prediction: LOUISIANA 24, UL-Monroe 17 Despite the disparity in records, I expect this game to be a physical, hard-fought close game, especially with both teams coming off victories on a short week. I also don’t see this being anything more than a low-scoring game unless someone comes out with a kick return or defensive score, which obviously is not something someone just predicts. Louisiana’s rushing attack should find success against a struggling Warhawks defense, while UL-Monroe’s mobile quarterbacks could present challenges for the Cajuns. That said, I expect both teams to mainly keep this a ground attack, but would not be surprised if one tries to expose the other by passing the ball. Ultimately, I believe Louisiana’s advantage in the trenches and ability to control the running game will be enough to secure a 24-17 victory, improving to 7-3 on the season and extending its winning streak over the Warhawks to four games. This game will likely come down to who can control the ball better and limit mistakes. The Cajuns have struggled on the road, but I think they pull this one off against a struggling UL-Monroe team. Coach Desormeaux, after experiencing tough losses on the road this year, has definitely preached to his team the importance of starting this game strong. I think they will show that in this game. Abdul Abusada of Cajun Sports Talk

Louisiana will be without running back Anthony Reagan Jr. for the remainder of the season with a knee injury. The injury took place following his lone carry early in the second quarter last Saturday against South Alabama, which went for 26 yards. The running back was forced to the sideline by a Jaguars defender and appears the hit was to the knee. Following the hit, Reagan Jr. was not able to get up on his own and needed assistance. Not much later in the game, he was carted off the field and was ruled out for the game. Then on Monday, head coach Michael Desormeaux told the media that the running back would be out for the year. Reagan Jr. is now the second running back for the Cajuns to suffer a season-ending injury this season, following Darrell Smith who also suffered a knee injury against Arkansas State in early October. It’s a big blow to a Cajuns roster that is now down to just three healthy running backs in JJ Garner, Steven Blanco, and Ke’Rynn Smith. JJ Garner and Steven Blanco have both played huge roles in the ground game for the Cajuns. While quarterback Lunch Winfield currently leads the team in rushing yards with 567, JJ Garner has 441 and averages a whopping 7.2 yards per carry. Steven Blanco has 298 yards on the season, averaging 3.7 yards per carry. Both backs have combined for 10 rushing touchdowns. Ke’Rynn Smith, a true freshman out of Holy Cross in Metairie, will rise to the third spot on the roster to replace the injured Reagan Jr. He has not had much on-field opportunities this season, but the expectation is that he will have a role in the Cajuns backfield starting on Thursday against UL Monroe. “We got to prepare him to play every snap,” Coach Desormeaux said about Ke’Rynn Smith and getting him involved. “The kid’s really talented though.” Desormeaux also mentioned that ever since Darrell Smith’s injury in early October, the team began involving Ke’Rynn Smith mentally in meetings and in getting “good on good” reps. Now, the team looks to expand his rotation in practice. Ke’Rynn Smith came out of Holy Cross as a three-star prospect and rushed for nearly 1,400 yards and 21 touchdowns as a senior for the Tigers. He decided to stay in-state and play for UL over offers from schools like Houston, Arkansas, Indiana, and Missouri. Louisiana is set to face their rivals in the UL Monroe Warhawks on Thursday night in the national spotlight on ESPN2. The game is set for an 8pm kickoff. A preview of that game will be up on Wednesday. Abdul Abusada of Cajun Sports Talk

The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns finally found a way to finish a close game on Saturday evening, defeating the South Alabama Jaguars 28-26 at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium. However, it certainly wasn’t without yet another fourth-quarter scare. After suffering heartbreaking losses to Louisiana Tech and Southern Miss, both of which featured late defensive collapses, Louisiana entered Saturday’s matchup desperately needing to get back in the win column. Despite holding an 11-point lead late in the third quarter, the Cajuns once again found themselves fighting to preserve a narrow lead in the final minutes. This time, however, the defense delivered when it mattered most, concluding the Jaguars’ final attempt at a comeback with a sack by linebacker Jake St. Andre, and then an interception by linebacker Micah Johnson. The victory improves Louisiana to 6-3 overall and 3-2 in Sun Belt Conference play, while South Alabama falls to 4-5 and 2-3 in conference action. The win also secures the Cajuns’ ninth consecutive season of bowl eligibility, extending one of the longest active streaks in college football. JJ Garner Steals the Show as Cajuns Dominate on the Ground JJ Garner made a statement himself today before either team had the opportunity to snap the ball. On the opening kickoff, Garner took the ball 100 yards to the house, giving the Cajuns a 7-0 lead just 12 seconds into the contest. UL couldn’t have asked for a better start to Saturday’s game. In the postgame, Garner told reporters that this was his first time returning kickoffs in a long time, saying that he only begin practicing kickoff returns this week. The last time he recalls returning kickoffs was in high school. South Alabama eventually responded with a 14-play, 63-yard touchdown drive, capped off by a one-yard rushing touchdown from quarterback Bishop Davenport to tie the game at seven. But Garner wasn’t finished. Just nine seconds into the second quarter, Garner broke free for a 65-yard touchdown run to give Louisiana a 14-7 advantage. It was his second explosive touchdown of the afternoon and another reminder of how dangerous he can be when given an opening. Garner finished with 136 rushing yards on just 10 carries, averaging an impressive 13.6 yards per attempt. Including his contributions on special teams, he totaled 239 all-purpose yards. And while Garner was undoubtedly the star of the afternoon, Louisiana’s rushing attack as a whole was equally impressive. The Cajuns finished with 312 rushing yards on 44 attempts, averaging 7.1 yards per carry. Quarterback Lunch Winfield added 97 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Steven Blanco contributed another 55 yards on the ground. For comparison, Louisiana managed just 118 rushing yards against Southern Miss two weeks ago, its lowest total of the season. Saturday’s performance was a significant improvement and demonstrated, one, the importance of a bye week, and two, what this offense is capable of when its rushing attack is operating effectively. On an unfortunate side, running back Anthony Reagan Jr. suffered what appeared to be a serious lower-body injury early in the second quarter following a big 26-yard run. He was not able to walk off the field on his own, and was eventually carted to the locker room. What he injured and its extent should be more clear on Monday, but for now, concerns are building up given the Cajuns are now down two starting-caliber running backs. Offensive Success Overshadowed by Costly Mistakes While Louisiana’s rushing production was impressive, the offense wasn’t without its mistakes. With the Cajuns leading 14-7 early in the second quarter, Winfield threw an interception that South Alabama defensive back Jaylen Moson returned 72 yards for a touchdown, tying the game at 14. It was another costly turnover that immediately brought the Jaguars back into a game Louisiana had an opportunity to control. But to Winfield’s credit, he did respond by leading an eight-play, 78-yard touchdown drive, finishing it with a 14-yard rushing touchdown to put the Cajuns back in front, 21-14. South Alabama added a 44-yard field goal from Dylan Freebury before halftime, cutting Louisiana’s advantage to 21-17. Winfield finished the afternoon completing 10 of 14 passes for 147 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also led the Cajuns on an 81-yard touchdown drive late in the third quarter, connecting with Shelton Sampson Jr. for a 27-yard score to extend Louisiana’s lead to 28-17. Offensively, the Cajuns finished with 459 total yards and converted eight of their 13 third-down opportunities. Those are encouraging numbers, particularly coming off the disappointing performance against Southern Miss. However, Louisiana also committed 10 penalties for 60 yards and failed to score in the fourth quarter. Those mistakes nearly proved costly in what became another uncomfortable finish. Defense Makes the Plays When It Matters Most Coming into Saturday, one of the biggest questions surrounding Louisiana was whether its defense could contain South Alabama’s rushing attack. The Jaguars entered the matchup averaging 213 rushing yards per game, led by Keenan Phillips and PJ Martin, who had combined for more than 1,100 rushing yards this season. Louisiana largely answered that challenge. Phillips and Martin combined for just 56 rushing yards, while South Alabama finished with 159 yards on the ground. However, the Cajuns still surrendered one of the biggest plays of the afternoon when quarterback Bishop Davenport broke free for a 45-yard rushing touchdown late in the third quarter. South Alabama eventually added a 50-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter, cutting Louisiana’s lead to just two points with 10:26 remaining. And suddenly, it was beginning to feel like the Louisiana Tech and Southern Miss games all over again. Louisiana’s offense responded with an 11-play drive that consumed six minutes and 20 seconds, but penalties helped stall the possession, forcing Tony Sterner to attempt a 48-yard field goal. The kick was no good. With 4:02 remaining, South Alabama had the football and an opportunity to pull off another late comeback against the Cajuns. The Jaguars managed to convert a crucial fourth-and-five to move into Louisiana territory, but the Cajuns’ defense finally delivered the stops that had been missing in previous weeks. Linebacker Jake St. Andre sacked Davenport for an eight-yard loss, setting up second-and-long. On the very next play, linebacker Micah Johnson intercepted Davenport’s pass with 1:29 remaining. Louisiana then picked up a crucial first down on a six-yard run from Winfield, allowing the Cajuns to run out the remaining clock. It wasn’t necessarily a flawless defensive performance, but it was a significant improvement in one important area which I highlighted as key to this game: starting strong, and most importantly, finishing strong. St. Andre led Louisiana with nine tackles and a sack, while safety Collin Jacob, returning from an arm injury that sidelined him for the past month, finished with eight tackles. Johnson recorded six tackles to go along with his game-sealing interception. The defense still has areas that need improvement, but Saturday’s final possession demonstrated that this unit is capable of delivering in critical moments…at least at home. UL Officially Unveils New LIVE Mascot During Halftime Saturday wasn’t just an important afternoon for Louisiana football. It also marked the beginning of a new tradition for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. During halftime of the Louisiana Salutes game, the university officially unveiled a new live mascot: a Catahoula Leopard Dog. The seven-week-old male puppy features a distinctive blue merle coat with gray, charcoal and black markings. The breed has served as Louisiana’s official state dog since 1979, making it a fitting choice to represent the university and its Louisiana heritage. The announcement was made through a video presentation shown inside Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium, as the puppy remains with its breeder while undergoing training and socialization. The university also announced that fans will have an opportunity to help name the new mascot. Five potential names have been selected (Beau, Louis, Rex, Roux, and SLI), with voting open through November 17. The winning name will be revealed during Louisiana’s November 21 home football game against Coastal Carolina. The puppy is expected to make occasional campus appearances throughout his training, with a potential early appearance at a basketball game in January. His official debut as the university’s live mascot is scheduled for the fall of 2027. UL President Dr. Ramesh Kolluru also noted that Louisiana will become the only public university and NCAA Division I athletics program in the country with a live Catahoula as its mascot. The addition represents an exciting new chapter in Louisiana’s athletic traditions, giving Ragin’ Cajuns fans another symbol of school spirit to embrace in the coming years. A Much-Needed Victory, but Concerns Remain At the end of the day, Louisiana got what it desperately needed: a win. After consecutive heartbreaking losses, the Cajuns could ill afford another fourth-quarter collapse, particularly at home against a South Alabama team that had also entered the contest on a two-game losing streak. There was plenty to like about Saturday’s performance. The rushing attack was dominant, Garner delivered one of the most impressive individual performances of the season, and the defense made the necessary plays to secure the victory. But the fact remains that Louisiana allowed South Alabama to erase most of an 11-point second-half deficit and had to rely on a last-minute interception to escape with the win. The offense was held scoreless in the fourth quarter, and penalties and an untimely interception prevented the Cajuns from establishing greater control. While those mistakes didn’t cost Louisiana the game this time, they are still areas that need to be addressed. The most encouraging difference between Saturday and the losses to Louisiana Tech and Southern Miss was simple: when the Cajuns needed a stop late in the fourth quarter, they finally got one. And that matters. Unfortunately, with Louisiana Tech defeating Troy on Saturday afternoon, this puts Louisiana’s chances at making the Sun Belt title game a distant star. Louisiana Tech will clinch the Sun Belt West and make the conference title game in their first year as a Sun Belt team with simply one more win. That said, the focus now for UL shifts to finishing the season as strong as possible. On the (somewhat) bright side, Louisiana became bowl eligible for the ninth consecutive season with this win, another accomplishment for head coach Michael Desormeaux and the program. However, bowl eligibility has become an expectation rather than the ultimate goal for this football team. Louisiana will now have a short turnaround before traveling to Monroe to face UL Monroe on Thursday, November 12, with kickoff set for a late 8pm start on ESPN2. Saturday’s win certainly wasn’t perfect. But after the frustrating losses this team has endured, simply finding a way to finish a football game was an important step in the right direction. The question now is whether Louisiana can build on that momentum and finally put together a complete four-quarter performance.

Louisiana returns to the field this Saturday following a bye week as the Ragin’ Cajuns prepare to host the South Alabama Jaguars at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium. Kickoff for the Louisiana Salutes game is set for 4pm, with the game airing on ESPN+. Oddsmakers currently favor the Cajuns by 7.5 points. Both teams enter the matchup at 2-2 in Sun Belt Conference play, looking to keep their conference championship hopes alive as the regular season enters its final month. The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Louisiana has endured a frustrating stretch over the past month, suffering heartbreaking losses to Louisiana Tech and Southern Miss after surrendering last minute go-ahead scores. Seven additional points across those two games would have the Cajuns sitting at 7-1 instead of 5-3. But, of course, football isn’t a game of what-ifs. Offensively, Louisiana has been productive for the most part, averaging 30.1 points and nearly 383 yards per game. The Cajuns have leaned heavily on their rushing attack, averaging nearly 190 yards per contest, with quarterback Lunch Winfield playing a significant role in that ground production. UL’s passing attack has continued to improve as of lately after a slow start to the season. Winfield had a career high 299 passing yards against Southern Miss prior to the bye. Winfield leads the team in both passing and rushing yards, recording 1,452 passing yards and 470 rushing yards, along with 15 total touchdowns. His dual-threat capabilities have created problems for opposing defenses, particularly when the Cajuns establish their ground game. UL has also been efficient in scoring territory, converting nearly 97% of its red-zone opportunities into points, the fourth highest mark in the country. Defensively, Louisiana has been considerably stronger than its upcoming opponent. The Cajuns are allowing just over 317 yards and 21 points per game, although their inability to get crucial stops late against Louisiana Tech and Southern Miss has proven costly. The same goes for the offense who have been inconsistent with execution and turnovers in those situations. The late bye week provided an opportunity for Louisiana to regroup and potentially regain some personnel, including safety Collin Jacob, who has missed the previous three games and part of the Arkansas State contest with an arm injury. Jacob is expected to play on Saturday and is on the official depth chart as a starter. Kneaux the Opponent: South Alabama Jaguars South Alabama has experienced its own struggles lately as well, dropping consecutive games to Marshall and Louisiana Tech. The Jaguars have particularly struggled to sustain offensive production in the second half, including being held scoreless after halftime in their 35-20 loss to Louisiana Tech. However, the offense overall this season has demonstrated just how dangerous it can be. Before their recent skid, the Jaguars scored 52 points against ULM and 56 against Arkansas State. Much like Louisiana, South Alabama operates a run-oriented offense capable of generating explosive plays. Averaging nearly 419 yards per game, including 213 on the ground, the Jaguars have been among the nation’s more productive rushing teams. Leading the ground attack are Keenan Phillips and PJ Martin, who have combined for 1,128 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns this season. Their effective two-back attack has proven difficult for opponents to contain. Quarterback Jared Hollins has thrown for 1,195 yards and nine touchdowns, although his 52.6% completion rate suggests opportunities for Louisiana’s defense to disrupt the passing game. And when South Alabama does reach the red zone, it has generally capitalized, scoring on 28 of 31 trips for an impressive 90% conversion rate. Defensively, however, the Jaguars have been vulnerable. South Alabama allows nearly 33 points and 402 yards per game, including more than 245 passing yards per contest. The Jaguars will also be without their leading tackler, safety Cole Blaylock, who has been ruled out for Saturday’s contest. Blaylock has recorded 46 tackles this season, making his absence another potential challenge for an already struggling defense. Players to Watch For Louisiana QB Lunch Winfield: The dual-threat quarterback remains the heart and soul of Louisiana’s offense. With 470 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns, Winfield’s mobility could present significant problems for South Alabama both on the ground and through the air, particularly if the Jaguars struggle to contain the edges. Louisiana WR KeDarius Wade: Wade leads the Cajuns with 279 receiving yards and has emerged as one of Winfield’s primary downfield targets. Going up against a defense that’s allowed more than 245 passing yards per game, he could have opportunities to make explosive plays. South Alabama RBs Keenan Phillips and PJ Martin: The Jaguars’ two leading rushers have each surpassed 500 yards this season. This game will be a tale of really good run offense versus really good run defense. Containing two explosive running backs will be crucial for a Louisiana defense that allows just 127 rushing yards per game. South Alabama QB Jared Hollins: Hollins has shown the ability to stretch defenses vertically, but he also has struggled with consistency. He enters Saturday with nine passing touchdowns and four interceptions. UL is top 40 in the country in passing yards allowed, so this could be a challenge for Hollins in what will be the best secondary he’s faced all year, but still a matchup to watch. South Alabama WR Anthony Eager: Eager has emerged as a dangerous scoring threat, recording six receiving touchdowns while averaging more than 22 yards per reception. He caught seven passes for 102 yards and two touchdowns against Louisiana Tech last weekend. Keys to the Game 1. Dominate the ground game It’s the key every game basically. Both offenses rely heavily on rushing production, making the battle in the trenches especially important. UL must limit South Alabama’s two-back rushing attack while allowing Winfield and the Cajuns’ running backs to control the tempo offensively. This game will likely come down to who can run it better. 2. Take advantage of South Alabama’s secondary The Jaguars have struggled to defend the pass this season, and the absence of safety Cole Blaylock will likely add more to those concerns. Louisiana should look for opportunities to attack downfield and capitalize on favorable matchups through the air. It’s also an opportunity for the Cajuns pass offense to keep the momentum rolling after throwing for nearly 300 yards against Southern Miss a couple weeks ago. 3. Win the turnover battle South Alabama has forced 11 turnovers this season, making ball security important for Louisiana, who earlier in the season struggled with. On the other side, the Cajuns must pressure Hollins into uncomfortable situations and capitalize on any mistakes. 4. Start strong...FINISH STRONG Perhaps the biggest key for Louisiana is avoiding another late-game collapse. The Cajuns have surrendered fourth-quarter leads in two of their last three games and cannot afford another missed opportunity. With both teams fighting to stay in the Sun Belt West race, execution in the final quarter could also ultimately determine the outcome. Final Score Prediction: Louisiana 34, South Alabama 24 Major Applewhite’s Jaguars team will certainly put up a fight in Lafayette on Saturday afternoon. But with UL’s success at home this season (4-0 at home), getting Collin Jacob back on defense, and an offense that had a productive passing game the last time they played, the cards on the table say the Cajuns should play well enough to keep South Alabama in check. These are two programs that absolutely have to win this game in order to keep themselves in the mix for the conference championship. With Louisiana Tech leading the SBC West 4-0 and then a big clump of teams at 2-2 (including UL and South Alabama), the loser of this game will have to kiss those title game hopes goodbye. That said, it should be a dogfight at Cajun Field. I expect Louisiana to expose South Alabama’s secondary and the defense as a whole, while also neutralizing the Jaguars’ run game in a strength versus strength matchup. But ultimately, like I had for all but one of UL’s conference games this season, it will come down to who can finish the game stronger, and it’ll likely be determined by who can run the ball more efficiently. Should be a good one in Lafayette. Be there, be loud, wear black, and Geaux Cajuns!

Redshirt senior safety Collin Jacob could make his return to the field this Saturday for the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns after missing the past month with an upper-arm injury. Head coach Michael Desormeaux told reporters Monday that Jacob “has a real chance for this week” to return to action. The safety has been sidelined since suffering what appeared to be an arm injury during the first half of Louisiana’s October 3 matchup against Arkansas State. “For us, [this] is obviously huge news,” Coach Desormeaux said, while acknowledging the defense’s struggles through Jacob's absence. “Since he’s been out, I think defensively we’ve been a little inconsistent.” While Coach Desormeaux also emphasized that Louisiana’s defensive struggles cannot be attributed solely to Jacob’s absence, the statistics on how these last three games unraveled reveal a noticeable decline in performance since his injury. In the three games Jacob has missed, the Cajuns surrendered 401 total yards per game, compared to just 261 yards per game in the four games prior to his injury. The decline has extended beyond total yardage, with Louisiana allowing significantly more rushing and passing yards, along with more first downs, while forcing fewer turnovers. From the sideline perspective, the defense did not seem to be the defense fans saw earlier in the season, and a lot of it could certainly be attributed to his absence. Through the first four games and the first half against Arkansas State before his injury, Jacob recorded 28 total tackles, one interception and a forced fumble. His performance against UAB earlier in the season also earned him Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week honors. Whether Jacob will be available Saturday remains uncertain, with more clarity coming Wednesday evening when the depth chart and availability reports come out, or potentially later in the week. However, his return would provide a much-needed boost to a Louisiana defense looking to regain its early-season consistency. The Cajuns are coming off a bye week following their road loss to Southern Miss and will return home Saturday to host South Alabama in a crucial Sun Belt West Division matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 4pm. A full preview of Saturday’s matchup will be available later this week. Abdul Abusada of Cajun Sports Talk. Live pregame previews on all Cajun Sports Talk and The Kneaux socials Thursdays at 4pm