Louisiana faced a tough challenge against Appalachian State in their second Sun Belt Conference matchup of the 2024 college football season. Coming off a strong win against Southern Miss, the Ragin' Cajuns had momentum on their side. Meanwhile, the Mountaineers entered the game trying to rebound from a high-scoring loss to Marshall, their second conference defeat.
In this clash of familiar foes, defense was key, with both teams battling to disrupt the other's offense. The Cajuns emerged victorious, securing a 34-24 win, thanks in large part to their defense's five takeaways. Leading the offensive charge was fifth-year quarterback Ben Wooldridge, who accounted for three touchdowns.
"This puts us one step closer to our ultimate goal," said Louisiana head coach Michael Desormeaux. "We’ve talked all season about perseverance, and this win is another step forward. It’s not about one big race but about running the small races each week, each day."
First Quarter: Promising Start
Louisiana (5-1, 2-0 SBC) opened the game with a methodical drive that blended the run and pass effectively. Wooldridge threw for 43 yards, while redshirt sophomore running back Zyaln Perry broke loose for a 19-yard gain. Despite driving deep into App State territory, the Cajuns had to settle for a 32-yard field goal from Kenneth Almendares to take an early lead.
Second Quarter: App State Strikes Back
The Mountaineers (2-4, 0-3 SBC) responded with a strong drive, leaning heavily on their run game, particularly redshirt sophomore Kanye Roberts. Roberts racked up 74 yards on the ground during the possession, and quarterback Joey Aguilar capped it off with a one-yard touchdown pass to David Larkin, giving App State a 7-3 lead.
However, the Cajuns didn’t wait long to answer. Wooldridge connected with wide receiver Terrance Carter on a 74-yard bomb, the longest play of the season for Louisiana, putting them back in the lead. Carter finished the game with 107 receiving yards on just four catches.
Skipper Shines with Two Interceptions
Louisiana’s defense stepped up big, with redshirt junior safety Tyree Skipper snagging two key interceptions, the first of which set up an eight-yard touchdown pass from Wooldridge to Harvey Broussard. This gave the Cajuns a 17-7 lead late in the first half. Despite a late push from App State, including an eight-yard touchdown pass from Aguilar to Roberts, Louisiana entered halftime with a narrow 17-14 lead.
Third Quarter: Trading Blows
App State opened the second half by driving down the field and tying the game with a 44-yard field goal from Jackson Moore. Louisiana quickly responded with a career-long 53-yard field goal from Almendares, reclaiming the lead.
Fourth Quarter: Big Plays Seal the Win
The Cajuns’ defense made game-changing plays in the final quarter. After an App State fumble, senior cornerback Justin Agu returned the ball 68 yards, setting up a touchdown for the Cajuns. Later in the quarter, a fortuitous fumble recovery by offensive lineman Landon Burton in the end zone extended Louisiana’s lead to 10 points.
App State didn’t go down quietly, though. Aguilar threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Eli Wilson, cutting the lead to 31-24. But Skipper’s second interception of the game, followed by another interception from fifth-year senior Tyrone Lewis Jr., allowed Louisiana to ice the game. Wooldridge capped the victory with a one-yard rushing touchdown, securing the final score at 34-24.
"Ben’s toughness is unmatched," Desormeaux said. "When you have a quarterback who plays like he does, the entire team rallies around that energy."
With this win, the Cajuns continue their ascent in the Sun Belt Conference, proving their defense can make game-changing plays in the season’s toughest moments.
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