Cajuns overcome Warhawks and weather for Homecoming win

By: Dave Parks, Intern

LAFAYETTE – The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns trailed 24-9 after two quarters, but used a big second half to overcome nasty weather conditions and a tough ULM Warhawks team for a 30-24 win. This was UL’s 70th Homecoming Game and gave the crowd a nice treat for Halloween. The Cajuns are now 3-4 on the year and 2-1 in conference play. 

The big storm moving through South Louisiana looked like trouble for the Cajuns as the Warhawks were able to jump out to a quick 14-3 lead after the first quarter. ULM’s Garret Smith was on fire early with two touchdown passes, one each to Marcus Green and Ajalen Holley. The Cajuns were able to cut the ULM lead to five in the second quarter when Stevie Artigue connected on two more field goals, before Smith fired his third touchdown pass of the half and the Cajuns went into the break trailing 24-9.

UL came out with a plan in the second half and it showed. Elijah McGuire was able to find the endzone in the third quarter, which made the score 24-16. In the fourth, quarterback Brooks Haack stepped up with two big plays to bring the Cajuns back. The first was a nice 13-yard touchdown run around the end and the second was a beautifully thrown pass to Jamal Robinson who raced 64 yards to give the Cajuns the lead for good. The defense also stepped up in the second half by holding ULM scoreless and had five sacks and three forced fumbles for the game. Dominique Tovell led the way with two sacks and a forced fumble, while Blain Winston, Mario Osborne, and Remaine Douglas added a sack of their own. Tracy Walker also added a forced fumble and two pass break-ups.

Haack finished 6/13 for 85 yards and a touchdown, and he also rushed for another score to lead the Cajuns. Jalen Nixon added 24 yards passing and 39 rushing. McGuire had 59 yards rushing with a touchdown and Torrey Pierce had 47 yards rushing.  Robinson had a big night with 94 receiving yards and a touchdown grab. Al Riles also had four catches on the night.

The Cajuns will travel to Atlanta next to take on Georgia State. The game will be at 1:00 p.m. on November 7th and will air on ESPN3.

Photo Courtesy of UL Athletics