University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
Idaho
Cajuns Top Vandals For Second Straight Victory
10/25/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Saturday, Oct. 25, 2003
Statistical Recap
LAFAYETTE -
For the third straight
year, Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns played their best game
of the season in defeating the Idaho Vandals. UL
Lafayette topped UI 31-20 at Cajun Field on Saturday.
The Vandals drove down the field quickly on their first drive, but an interception by C.C. Brown in the endzone prevented a score by the visitors.
Louisiana-Lafayette (2-7, 2-3 Sun Belt) took over on their 20-yard line and marched 80 yards on 16 plays in 8:49. Heavy doses of runs by Jerry Babb and Chester Johnson preceded a six-yard touchdown pass from Babb to Kemmie Lewis.
A 14-yard punt by Ryan Downes gave the Cajuns the ball at midfield to start their second possession. Babb found Travis Smothers wide open for 25 yards down to the 25-yard line on the Cajuns first play of the series. A scramble by Babb gave the Cajuns a first down at the UI 15-yard line. Johnson followed with consecutive runs, the latter a three-yard touchdown strike to give UL Lafayette at 14-0 lead.
Fred Stamps threw an interception on a wide receiver option that led way to an Idaho score. Zach Gerstner scored on a four-yard plunge to trim the Cajuns lead to 14-6. Ken Haynes blocked the extra point attempt by Sam Perry.
The Cajuns responded with a 10-play, 60-yard drive near the end of the half. Smothers, Harrison, Babb and Johnson all gained yards on the ground, while Lewis, Smothers, Stamps and Bill Sampy all collected receptions. Johnson's second touchdown, a one-yard run, capped the drive.
With 35 seconds remaining in the second quarter, Sean Comiskey's short kick was fielded by Rod Bryant and returned 79 yards for a touchdown. The Vandal's two-point conversion failed as the Cajuns held a 21-12 lead at the half.
Johnson was on the verge of his third touchdown, but fumbled at the goal line, where the Vandals (1-8, 1-3 Sun Belt) recovered on their own one-yard line.
Travis Ferguson forced a Gerstner fumble which was returned by Jerrell Carter 50 yards to the UI 22-yard line. Johnson collected his third touchdown with a one-yard run to give the Cajuns a 28-12 lead.
Michael Harrington connected with Gerstner on a five-yard touchdown pass, then with Michael McCoy on the two-point conversion to close the Vandals within eight points.
Wayne Stein recovered the on-sides kickoff at the IU 49-yard line. Sean Comiskey connected on a 42-yard field goal with 35 seconds remaining to clinch the game for the Cajuns.
-Ragin' Cajuns-
