ULL football team defeats Troy
TROY, Ala. — The Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns ended two long streaks with a 37-24 win over Troy on Saturday night.
The Cajuns snapped a 21 game road-opener losing streak while ending Troy’s 24 year winning streak in home openers. The season-opening loss was also the first in Larry Blakeney’s tenure at Troy.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette coach Mark Hudspeth said that it meant a lot to accomplish both feats.
“To come in here and end two streaks is just awesome,” Hudspeth said.“
Running back Alonzo Harris had a career day, ending the night with 137 yards on 21 carries. Harris average over six yards a carry, with the biggest of the day being a 50-yard scamper on the last play of the first quarter.
Harris is from Gadsden, Alabama, and the game was something of a homecoming for the sophomore.
“It means a lot, but I have to give the credit to the offensive line,” said Harris. “I will celebrate it throughout the weekend, but come Monday, it will be time to come back down to earth and get ready for Okie State,” he said.
ULL had a run of 20 straight points, and it never looked back.
Hudspeth said that his team had to play good defense to knock off the Trojans and was proud of the effort his guys showed.
“I guaranteed them if we won the turnover battle, we would win the game,” Hudspeth said. I told them I would walk back home if we didn’t win. I think it was three to zero.”
One of the bigger defensive plays of the day came late in the first quarter. Troy quarterback Corey Robinson completed a pass to Chandler Worthy for a 3-yard gain.
While Worthy was fighting for extra yardage, Ragin’ Cajun safety T.J. Worthy stripped the ball, and Jermalous Moten scooped up the fumble and raced down the sideline 54 yards to break the 7-7 tie.
“I saw money,” said Moten. “All I had to do was catch it and take off. They were trying to hurry up, and a strip like that breaks their momentum.”
Moten’s fumble return put the Cajuns ahead, and they never let Troy get back in the contest down the stretch.
The Cajun defense stood tall on a fourth and inches play late in the third quarter to thwart a Troy scoring drive. Troy had the ball at the ULL 25 and could not budge the Cajun defensive line to get the needed first down.
“Defensively, we’ve got to get a better rush on the quarterback,” said Hudspeth. “We bent but didn’t break at times, played well at times. But we gave up too many big plays.”
Starting quarterback Blaine Gautier left the game after a 10-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter. Hudspeth said that Gautier has bruised ribs and will be evaluated later in the week.
Terrance Broadway the former Capitol High standout, stepped in for Gautier and kept the offense clicking. Broadway ended the night with 143 yards passing on 10 completions and a touchdown. Broadway also added 43 yards on the ground.
Hudspeth said that two years in a row the Ragin’ Cajuns had to try to beat the Trojans without their starting quarterback.
“Terrance was prepared,” said Hudspeth. “I thought he made some great decisions and took care of the football.”
Late in the game, Ragin Cajun defensive lineman Justin Hamilton was ejected as tempers began to flare. Hudspeth said that the situation will be reviewed and Hamilton’s status will be decided later in the week.
“It’s been a long time since UL(L)’s beaten Troy two times in a row,” said Hudspeth. “We are just very proud to come over here and win in a place that’s tough to come to and win.”