Saturday's win over ULM ended a three-game losing streak to the Warhawks at Cajun Field. It also makes Louisiana bowl eligible for the second straight season and fourth time in the past five seasons. Brad McGuire crossed the goal line with 7:16 remaining to put Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns in the lead for good and two key ULM mistakes sealed the 21-17 victory Saturday evening at Cajun Field.
On the ensuing possession following McGuire's score, the Warhawks were posed with a fourth-and-one situation at the UL 37. The Cajuns (6-5, 4-3 Sun Belt) caught a break as ULM (6-5, 5-2 Sun Belt) was whistled for a false start penalty that forced a punt.
The Cajuns were forced to punt themselves with 1:38 remaining. Another bounce went the Cajuns way after Luther Ambrose muffed the punt return and Grant Fleming recovered for Louisiana.
With the Warhawks out of timeouts the Ragin' Cajuns were able to kneel the ball twice and run out the clock.
The win ended a three-game losing streak to ULM at Cajun Field. It also makes Louisiana bowl eligible for the second straight season and fourth time in the past five seasons.
Chris Masson went over 200 yards passing for the sixth straight game, finishing 16-of-27 for 252 yards. Masson moved over 2,000 yards passing for the season making him the first UL quarterback to reach 2,000 yards passing since Jerry Babb in 2004.
Tight end Ladarius Green returned to action after missing the previous three games with injury. He turned in a career night as he posted seven receptions and 131 yards receiving, both totals being career highs.
With the two interceptions in the game, the 2009 Cajuns defense equaled the most interceptions (15) by any UL team in the last 15 years. The last Cajuns defense to post more than 15 picks in a season was the 1994 squad led by former Minnesota Vikings safety Orlando Thomas' six interceptions and former Redskins linebacker Patrice Alexander's four interceptions.
Yobes Walker capped off the 70-yard, eight-play drive with a one-yard touchdown run on the game's opening drive. During the drive, UL had two plays go for more than 20 yards, including a 26-yard reception by Richie Falgout and 29-yard reception by Green.
On the Warhawks' ensuing drive, Lance Kelley picked off ULM's Trey Revell and returned the ball to UL 37-yard line. It was Kelley's second interception of the season and the defense's 14th of the year.
But the Cajuns could not convert on the turnover after driving to ULM's 23-yard line.
The Warhawks were able knot the game at 7-7 with 12:34 left in the second quarter, after driving 89-yards in 12 plays with Revell rushing four yards for the score.
After a missed 49-yard field goal by the Cajuns, the Warhawks took over at their own 32-yard line. ULM drove 54 yards in seven plays, settling for a 32-yard field goal after a touchdown pass on a previous play was overturned by review.
The Cajuns countered with a scoring drive of their own at the end of the half. Brad McGuire scored on a quarterback keeper from one yard out to take a 14-10 lead. Three plays prior, Green caught a 52-yard pass stumbling his way to the four-yard line.
ULM started the second half driving down into Cajun territory. But Orkeys Auriene put an end to any scoring threat with the Cajuns' second interception of the day.
The Cajuns drive stalled and they were forced to punt from the 37-yard line. A bad snap resulted in a hurried punt by Ortego, but he was able to get the kick off with the Warhawks muffing the return. UL recovered the fumble but was called for interference, resulting with Louisiana-Monroe taking possession at their 29-yard line.
Ten plays later, the Warhawks capped off a 71-yard drive with an 11-yard pass from Revell to Keavon Milton. With 2:41 left in the third quarter, the Cajuns trailed 17-14.
The two teams traded punts, but the Warhawks were able to recover their own punt after the ball hit a UL defender. Louisiana-Monroe drove down to the Cajuns' nine-yard line and was forced to attempt a 27-yard field goal. The kick was low and the Cajuns took over on downs at their own 20-yard line.
The following the drive, Louisiana was able to march the length of the field, retaking the lead at the 7:16 mark when McGuire scored his second rushing touchdown of the day.
The Ragin' Cajuns conclude the season next Saturday as they welcome Troy's Trojans to Cajun Field. Game time is set for 6 p.m.
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