In an electrifying showdown at Cajun Field, the Tulane Green Wave outlasted the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns in a thrilling 41-33 victory on Saturday. The game, marked by explosive plays and resilient performances, kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
The contest started with Louisiana taking an early lead in the first quarter. Quarterback Ben Wooldridge punched in a 1-yard touchdown run, capping off a 79-yard drive that put the Ragin’ Cajuns ahead 7-0. Tulane responded early in the second quarter with a 2-yard touchdown rush by Ty Thompson, tying the game at 7-7. The teams exchanged blows throughout the second quarter, with Louisiana adding a field goal from Kenneth Almendares to take a 10-7 lead. However, Tulane’s Ethan Head answered with a 37-yard field goal to even the score again at 10-10.
The momentum shifted dramatically when Tulane’s Jack Tchienchou intercepted a pass from Wooldridge and returned it 38 yards for a touchdown, giving the Green Wave a 17-10 advantage. Louisiana managed to close the gap to 17-13 with another field goal just before halftime.
The third quarter began with a bang as Tulane’s Rayshawn Pleasant returned the opening kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown, extending Tulane’s lead to 24-13. Louisiana quickly responded with a 1-yard touchdown pass from Wooldridge to Caden Jensen, but a missed two-point conversion left them trailing 24-19.
Tulane’s offense continued to fire on all cylinders, with Darian Mensah connecting on a 33-yard touchdown pass to Reggie Brown, followed by a 1-yard rushing touchdown by Makhi Hughes. Despite a valiant effort by the Ragin’ Cajuns, including a 36-yard touchdown pass from Wooldridge to Terrance Carter, Tulane held a 38-26 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Louisiana refused to go quietly, with Wooldridge scoring another rushing touchdown early in the fourth, narrowing the gap to 38-33. However, Tulane’s defense tightened up, and Head sealed the victory with a 38-yard field goal, bringing the final score to 41-33.
Tulane’s offense was driven by a dominant ground game, amassing 272 rushing yards. Makhi Hughes led the charge with 166 yards on 23 carries, while Trey Cornist added 39 yards on just four carries. Mensah was efficient through the air, completing 11 of 17 passes for 83 yards and a touchdown.
Louisiana put up a formidable fight, with Wooldridge throwing for 238 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 37 yards and two more scores. Bill Davis was a standout for the Ragin’ Cajuns, rushing for 103 yards on nine carries, including a thrilling 73-yard run.
Despite their best efforts, Louisiana could not overcome Tulane’s balanced attack and key defensive plays, including two interceptions. The win improves Tulane’s record to 2-2, while Louisiana suffers their first loss of the season, falling to 2-1.
The victory marks a significant win for Tulane as they continue to build momentum in the 2024 season. With a potent mix of explosive plays and gritty defense, the Green Wave demonstrated that they are a team to be reckoned with in the weeks to come.
