JONESBORO, Ark. — To survive on the road and avoid the embarrassment of a possible fourth-quarter collapse, UL needed the biggest play of Lance Kelley's college career.

Kelley intercepted Arkansas State quarterback Ryan Aplin with 2:52 left to help the Ragin' Cajuns escape with a 21-18 victory on Saturday night at ASU Stadium.

The sophomore's first career pick came in his first college start and allowed UL to run out the clock, snap a two-game losing streak and secure the program's first win in Jonesboro since 1997.

"I was just hoping that somebody was going to make a play because I knew the quarterback was going to slip up one time," said Kelley, a St. Thomas More graduate who moved to safety from receiver in the spring. "I'm glad somebody made the play."

The Cajuns (5-4, 3-2 Sun Belt) dominated through the first three quarters and held a 21-3 lead early in the fourth period.

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Joshua Parrott
jparrott@theadvertiser.com