Jags Fall To Cajuns In Lafayette 19-9
Louisiana-Lafayette’s Elijah McGuire gained over 150 yards in the second half as he gained 229 all-purpose yards to lead the Cajuns to a 19-9 win over the Jaguars in Lafayette Saturday evening.
The Jaguar defense had held McGuire to just 23 yards rushing through three quarters before he broke free for a 33-yard run on the Cajun’s first drive of the fourth quarter. That drive would lead to a Lafayette field goal to take a 12-9 lead over the Jaguars.
Matt Floyd would lead the Jaguar offense down the field to answer the Cajun score with completions of 26 and 41 to Braedon Bowman and Marvin Shinn respectively. But on a third-and-goal from the Lafayette 2 yard line a miscommunication on a zone read play resulted in a fumble that would be recovered by Christian Ringo for the Cajuns to end the scoring threat.
The turnover would result in the Cajuns driving 91 yards for a game-sealing touchdown. McGuire would figure prominently in the drive again with a 31-yard catch and an 8 yard touchdown run to cap off the drive. The Jaguars would be unable to mount another threat with under five minutes remaining.
The Cajuns would open the scoring after the Jaguar defense held them to a field goal in the opening quarter.
South Alabama would answer answer early in the second quarter with a 20-yard field goal. Then later in the quarter, Bridge would connect with Shavarez Smith for a 58-yard gain on a 3rd-and-8 and two plays later they would find the end zone for a 9-3 lead after a failed extra point.
Leading 9-6, the Jags would have an oppotunity to extend their lead, but Aleem Sunanon’s 49-yard attempt would be hooked left of the uprights as time expired.
Xavier Johnson led the Jaguars on the ground with 43 yards on 10 carries. Kendall Houston rushed for 42 yards on 15 carries. Louisiana’s McGuire rushed for 116 yards on 18 carries and a touchdown. Terrance Broadway added 54 yards rushing for the Cajuns on 11 carries.
Brandon Bridge was 16-of-27 for 177 yards and a touchdown. Matt Floyd came in after Bridge injured his ankle and went 4-of-8 for 93 yards.
Shavarez Smith caught eight passes for 116 yards to lead the Jaguar receivers. Braedon Bowman caught three for 54 yards, Jereme Jones also caught three passes for 35 yards and a touchdown. Shinn caught two for 51 yards.
McGuire caught nine passes for 90 yards with James Butler adding four passes for 91 yards for the Cajuns.
Terrance Broadway went 16-of-28 for 216 yards through the air.
Terrell Brigham led the defense with 10 total stops, nine solo. Jerome McClain had the lone Jaguar sack.
USA fell to 5-3 overall and 4-2 in conference play. Lafayette improved to 5-3 overall and 4-0 in conference play.
The Jags will look to earn bowl eligibility next Saturday when they travel to Jonesboro to face Arkansas State (5-3, 3-1 SBC) for a 2pm kickoff.