Total Effort Louisiana Stuffs Nevada In R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl

The old adage, 'Defense Wins Championships' was on display in the 14th annual R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl on Saturday at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome as the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns held Nevada in check all game, dominating defensively in a 16-3 win.

The three points allowed set a school bowl record, as well as the New Orleans Bowl-record. Nevada's (7-6) high-flying offense had not been held to just three points since a 35-0 loss at Notre Dame on Sept. 5, 2009.

With the victory, Louisiana (9-4) becomes the first school in college football bowl history to win the same bowl game in four straight seasons. UL has also won nine games for four straight seasons, sending off a senior class that posted the best four-year record in school history.

"We put together four quarters of possibly the best football we've played this season," said head coach Mark Hudspeth. "Terrance (Broadway) was spot-on and our running game was efficient. We played really solid defense and were able to apply pressure."

The Cajuns took the game's opening possession 77 yards in eight plays. Terrance Broadway connected on a 17-yard touchdown pass to C.J. Bates on third-and-nine. Little did anyone know at the time, that's all the offense the Cajuns would need.

Broadway was 3-for-3 on the drive and went on to complete 14 consecutive passes to start the game. No player in collegiate football bowl history had ever completed 14 straight passes to begin a bowl game. Overall, Broadway's feat ranks third behind Georgia's Mike Bobo (19 vs. Wisconsin, 1998 Outback) and NC State's Phillip Rivers (16 vs. Kansas, 2003 Tangerine).

Hunter Stover put the Cajuns up 10-0 late in the first quarter with a 46-yard field – the longest of his collegiate career. His previous high (38 yards) was set in games against ULM and Appalachian State.

Stover tacked on a 30-yard and 35-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. His three field goals tie a New Orleans Bowl record, as well as a school bowl record, last set by Brett Baer against East Carolina in the 2012 game.

Wolfpack quarterback Cody Fajardo, who entered the game averaging 281 yards of total offense per game, was held to 173 total yards. The Cajuns offense outgained Nevada 411-213.

Nevada's best opportunity came on their third drive of the game. After a 59-yard punt by Daniel Cadona, the Wolfpack moved 69 yards in 11 plays, but the Cajuns defense made one of the game's key defensive plays. After a completion down to the Cajuns 11-yard line, Sean Thomas forced a fumble that was recovered by Dominique Tovell. The fumble recovery was the first of Tovell's career.

The only blemish on the Cajuns defense was a 21-yard field goal by Brent Zuzo. After a short punt, Nevada took over at the UL 26-yard line. The Cajuns kept the Wolfpack out of the end zone, surrendering only 23 yards.

UL limited Nevada to 81 yards in the second half and put an exclamation point on the win with back-to-back sacks on the final two plays. Christian Ringo was credited with one of the sacks, helping him set a Cajuns new single season record (11.5), as well as tying for the career record (21) with Jeff Mitchell ('92-95). Darzil Washington registered two of the squad's four sacks.

Corey Trim led the Cajuns with eight total tackles. Trim contributed a key pass breakup midway through the fourth quarter as Nevada went for it on fourth-and-10 at the Cajuns 35-yard line. The defensive stop resulted in the Cajuns moving 47 yards over nine plays leading to Stover's final field goal of the contest.

Senior James Butler caught a career-high eight passes, eclipsing his previous best (6) set against ULM on Nov. 27, 2010. Elijah McGuire led the team with 99 yards rushing on 16 carries.

Broadway finished 26-of-31 passing for 227 yards and was named MVP, becoming the first two-time MVP in New Orleans Bowl history.