Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns football team will look to get back on the winning track when they travel to Miami this weekend to take on Florida International on Saturday in Sun Belt Conference action.
The game is set to begin at 11 a.m. (CST) at FIU Stadium.
The Cajuns (4-3, 2-1 Sun Belt) are coming off a loss to Florida Atlantic last week in the 64th annual homecoming game - a loss which was the first for UL in SBC play and at Cajun Field. FIU (1-6, 1-3 Sun Belt) meanwhile, is coming off a loss to Arkansas State on the road.
Saturday's game marks the start of a three-game road trip for the Cajuns as they will not play a home game until Nov. 21 (Louisiana-Monroe).
The Ragin' Cajuns are 6-0 all-time against FIU with all meetings coming in the Rickey Bustle Era. The average score has been 36-17 in favor the Cajuns who own five double-digit victories over the Golden Panthers including last season's 49-20 triumph at Cajun Field.
After the crowd of 21,135 for homecoming, Louisiana increased its season total to 91,064 (22,766 avg.) - the highest total attendance in the Sun Belt so far this season.
One of the highlights for the Cajuns last week was the continued success of their special teams. UL blocked two Florida Atlantic kicks - an extra point and a field goal to increase their total under Bustle to 40 since 2002. UL has feasted on FAU kicking, blocking seven kicks (four FG, three PAT) since 2005.
In the absence of Undrea Sails, redshirt freshman Yobes Walker filled in nicely. Walker rushed for a career-best 105 yards on 21 carries which upped his season averages to 53.6 yards per game and 4.2 yards per rush. He became the 12th Cajuns freshman to rush for 100 yards in a game.
Brad McGuire rushed for three touchdowns - the most by any Cajuns player this season and most by a player not named Fenroy since Chester Johnson scored three vs. Idaho in 2003 - as he split time at quarterback with Chris Masson. Masson, meanwhile, completed at least 16 passes and passed for at least 150 yards for the fifth time this season.
Antwyne Zanders and Grant Fleming continue to be bright spots for the UL defense. Zanders led the team with 10 tackles against FAU, his third double-digit output of the season. Fleming, coming off of back-to-back double-digit tackle efforts, registered eight to keep his SBC games average in double figures.
Zanders ranks fifth in the SBC and 34th in the NCAA stats in tackles per game. His 48 solo stops are tops in the SBC. In league games, Fleming is second on the tackles chart with an average of 10.0 per game.
The weekly award winners from the Cajuns game against Florida Atlantic include Marlin Miller on offense. Miller caught seven catches for 115 yards, both of which were career highs. The seven receptions moved him to 21 on the season, which is good enough for second on the team.
The special forces player of the game was Spencer Ortego who made some outstanding punts for the Cajuns, pinning the Owls deep in their own territory. Ortego boomed six punts to the tune of 44.3 yards per punt with a long of 51 yards. He placed two punts inside the FAU 20 yard line, upping his season total of punts inside the opponents' 20 yard line to nine.
The scout team players of the week on offense were Jonathan Decoster and Jacob Maxwell. The defensive scout team player of the week was Jordan Kennerson.
The Thumper award for big hit on offense went to Kyle Pirtle. Three Cajuns picked up the Kuhuna Award for biggest hit on special teams as Jezreel Washington, Brandon Williams and Dusty Mack took home that honor this week.
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