Maybe, just maybe, the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns are starting to grow up.

The Cajuns blew a commanding 20-0 third period lead, and were forced into overtime with a 28-28 deadlock, before finally regaining their composure for Saturday's 31-28 homecoming victory over Troy University.

"I think we're learning how to win," redshirt freshman quarterback Michael Desormeaux said. "Maybe we've started too late, but we still have a chance to have a heck of a season. This win can be great for our progress."

"This win shows we've got a lot of heart," said linebacker Brent Burkhalter. "We did get down on ourselves a few times, but guys kept picking us up on the sidelines.

"I look on my teammates as my brothers, and you don't want to let your brother down."

Burkhalter was on the field on the game's final play, a missed 37-yard field goal by Troy's Greg Whibbs that allowed the 3-5 Cajuns to escape and sent 21,204 fans home relieved and happy.

"When he missed, I was going crazy, knowing that we won," Burkhalter said. "My job was to watch for the fake. But he missed and I was looking for someone to grab."

Cajun placer kicker Sean Comiskey, meanwhile, sped onto the field and flung his helmet far into the night.

The rest of the story

Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com