Photo By: Brad Kemp
Louisiana-Lafayette continued their dominant Sun Belt run on Tuesday night, beating Texas State 23-17 to maintain their undefeated conference record and improve to 7-1 overall. Quarterback Ben Wooldridge led the Ragin’ Cajuns with 252 passing yards and a touchdown, while running back Dre’lyn Washington contributed significantly to the team’s ground game, notching 94 rushing yards, including a critical 64-yard touchdown in the first quarter. The win solidifies Louisiana-Lafayette as the only team without a loss in Sun Belt play this season.
Washington’s explosive 64-yard run in the final seconds of the first quarter shifted momentum in favor of the Ragin' Cajuns, pushing them ahead 7-6 after Texas State’s early field goal. The team capitalized on this spark with a steady offense and strong defensive play. With the game close at halftime, Wooldridge connected with tight end Caden Jensen on a short 1-yard touchdown pass, extending the lead to 14-6 with just over a minute left in the second quarter. This careful orchestration of plays allowed the Ragin' Cajuns to head into the locker room with confidence and a manageable lead.
Louisiana-Lafayette maintained their momentum into the third quarter, where kicker Kenneth Almendares nailed a 42-yard field goal with 4:59 on the clock, giving the Ragin’ Cajuns a 17-14 lead. The field goal became pivotal, as Texas State’s offense worked hard to keep pace. However, Louisiana-Lafayette’s defense proved resilient, responding decisively when linebacker Jaden Dugger forced a fumble that was swiftly recovered by teammate Amir McDaniel near midfield. The turnover kept Texas State at bay and allowed Louisiana-Lafayette to maintain control of the game.
The fourth quarter saw Almendares further pad Louisiana-Lafayette’s lead, successfully kicking field goals from 24 and 44 yards. His consistency throughout the game kept Texas State from regaining any substantial momentum. The Ragin’ Cajuns’ defense then delivered the final blow when cornerback Tyrone Lewis Jr. intercepted a tipped pass with 3:29 remaining in the game, effectively ending Texas State’s last attempt at a comeback.
Texas State, now 4-4 on the season and 2-2 in the Sun Belt, came into the game with hopes of a breakthrough season and a potential 3-1 conference start, which would have been their best in Sun Belt play since 2014. Quarterback RJ Martinez performed efficiently, completing 11 of 14 passes for 113 yards, though he was picked off in a crucial moment late in the game. Jordan McCloud also saw some time under center, completing 12 of 18 passes for 88 yards. Running back Ismail Mahdi contributed significantly to Texas State’s offense with 82 rushing yards and a touchdown, but the Bobcats fell short despite their balanced efforts.
For Louisiana-Lafayette, this victory not only maintained their spotless conference record but also extended their all-time winning streak against Texas State to 12 games. The teams have faced off annually since 2013, and last year’s contest ended in a close 34-30 Ragin’ Cajuns victory. The continued success of Louisiana-Lafayette against Texas State showcases their consistent dominance in the Sun Belt.
The Ragin’ Cajuns are now focused on the remainder of their season, with a keen eye on staying undefeated in conference play. As Louisiana-Lafayette builds on this win, their cohesive gameplay and depth in both offense and defense will be critical in maintaining their position as Sun Belt frontrunners.
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