University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
Minnesota
Cajuns Fall in Home Opener
9/7/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Saturday, Sept. 7 2002
Statistical Recap
LAFAYETTE, La. - Louisiana-Lafayette hosted a school from the Big Ten Conference for the first time in school history. The Minnesota Golden Gophers spoiled head coach Rickey Bustle's home debut with a 35-11 victory before 20,512 at Cajun Field.
The crowd was the largest for the Cajuns at home in the last five seasons.
The Cajuns first possession was a success. UL Lafayette penetrated the Golden Gophers red zone, generating a 31-yard field goal by Sean Comiskey.
Minnesota rallied late in the first quarter. An eight play, 62-yard drive ended on the first play of the second quarter. Asad Abdul-Khaliq hit tight end Ben Utecht on a three-yard touchdown pass to give the Gophers a 7-3 lead.
With only 1:32 left in the half, Cajuns quarterback Jon Van Cleave fumbled on the Cajuns 27-yard line, giving the Gophers a golden opportunity to add to their lead. Minnesota needed just 1:07 to score a touchdown. Abdul-Khaliq connected again with Utecht, this time from one-yard out, giving the Gophers a 14-3 halftime edge.
Jamal Smith recovered an Abdul-Khaliq fumble on the Cajuns 30-yard line to open the third quarter. The Cajuns were unable to capitalize, as Comiskey was wide right on his 47-yard field goal attempt.
Minnesota was unable to move the ball following the missed field goal and was forced to punt. On the ensuing kick, Nick Dugas returned the punt 68 yards for a touchdown. It marked the Cajuns first punt return for a touchdown since the 2000 season.
The Gophers were penalized for 12 men on the field on the point after attempt. Bustle then elected to go for the two-point conversion, but Van Cleave's pass attempt to Eric Bartel was incomplete. Minnesota held a 14-9 edge.
The Cajuns could not stop Minnesota on the next series. Abdul-Khaliq connected with Utecht for the third time in the game. The drive consumed 80 yards on seven plays in 3:40, capped by the 27-yard scoring play. The Gophers lead was extended to 21-9.
Charles Tillman injected life into the Cajuns when he blocked Preston Gruening's punt with 4:18 remaining in the third quarter. The ball rolled out of the back of the end zone for a safety.
Following the safety, the Cajuns moved down to the Gophers 32-yard line, but Eli Ward intercepted Van Cleave's pass to Josh Joerg on the four-yard line.
UL Lafayette had a chance to hold on defense with the Gophers facing a third-and-seven situation on their own eight-yard line. Abdul-Khaliq connected with his favorite target, Utecht, for 28 yards. The completion started a Minnesota scoring drive that ended in a 13-yard touchdown pass to Terry Jackson. Minnesota held a commanding 28-11 lead.
-Ragin' Cajuns-
