LAFAYETTE, La. — Elijah McGuire ran for 223 yards, including a 68-yard touchdown run, as Louisiana-Lafayette defeated South Alabama 28-23 at Cajun Field.
The loss dropped South Alabama to 1-2 overall and 0-2 in the Sun Belt Conference. Louisiana-Lafayette outgained the Jaguars 512-338.
Big Plays After Halftime
Louisiana-Lafayette led 9-7 at halftime. In the second half, the Ragin’ Cajuns scored on plays of 71 and 68 yards.
Trailing 22-7 with 4:46 left in the third quarter, South Alabama got going with a 31-yard pass to Kutchera. A few plays later, quarterback Dallas Davis threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to tight end Grant Powell to cut the deficit to 22-14.
Turnovers Keep Jaguars Close
Two plays after the touchdown, Neiko Robinson intercepted a pass at the Louisiana-Lafayette 32. South Alabama reached third-and-goal at the 3, where the Jaguars lined up in the wildcat formation with Tyreis Thomas. Louisiana-Lafayette called timeout, and when South Alabama returned in the same formation, Thomas was stopped for a 3-yard loss. Head coach Joey Jones sent out the field goal unit, and the kick made it 22-17.
On Louisiana-Lafayette’s next possession, Jeremy Reaves intercepted a pass at the South Alabama 32.
McGuire Breaks Loose
After a McKee punt pinned the Ragin’ Cajuns at their own 11, McGuire found a hole up the middle a few plays later and ran 68 yards for a touchdown. The two-point try failed, leaving Louisiana-Lafayette ahead 28-17.
After the teams traded possessions, Davis hit Quinton Lane for 34 yards, and two plays later found Gerald Everett for a touchdown. South Alabama’s two-point attempt also failed, and the score stood at 28-23.
The Jaguars’ defense was unable to force a stop that would have given the offense one more possession.
Defensive Line Depleted
South Alabama played without three defensive linemen who were injured during a span of less than a week in preseason camp.
Up Next
South Alabama opens a two-game homestand next week against Nicholls State, which lost 26-24 to Georgia last week. San Diego State visits the following week.
