University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
Florida International
Cajuns Prevail in Miami Marathon, Hold Off FIU's Upset Bid
10/2/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Saturday, Oct. 2, 2004
Statistical Recap
MIAMI -
Louisiana-Lafayette
head coach Rickey Bustle needed 13 tries before
collecting his first road win; Bustle now has won two of
his last four road contests following Saturday's 43-34
win at Florida International.
The win improves the Cajuns to 3-2 (1-0), marking the first time the Cajuns have been above .500 in the month of October since Oct. 21, 1995.
FIU did not make it easy, though.
It seemed as if every time the Cajuns scored, the Golden Panthers struck back.
Tied 34-34 late in the fourth quarter, Louisiana took the lead for good on Sean Comiskey's 41-yard field goal with 25 seconds to play.
With FIU on the move, Antwain Spann picked a Josh Padrick pass and returned it 31 yards for a touchdown with 11 seconds remaining to seal the win.
The Cajuns used an interception return for a touchdown to take a quick 7-0 lead.
Defensive end Travis Bass helped the Cajuns take an early lead by scoring UL's first defensive touchdown since 2002. The Fort Myers, Fla. native read a screen pass by Padrick and took his first career interception 36 yards into the end zone.
UL dodged a bullet after a 14-yard touchdown pass by Padrick to Chandler Williams was called back by a holding call. The Cajuns defense regrouped, allowing just a 44-yard field goal by Adam Moss. The Golden Panthers cut the Cajuns lead to 7-3.
The Cajuns came back after the FIU field goal with a dominating 15-play, 80-yard scoring drive. Jerry Babb connected on three straight completions to BJ Crist to help UL cross midfield for the first time in the game. Dwight Lindon and Babb then compiled 41 yards on the ground, including Babb's nine-yard run on fourth-and-one from the FIU 14 yard-line. Lindon scored his second touchdown of the season with a two-yard plunge to extend the Cajuns lead to 14-3.
Sean Comiskey kicked a 47-yard field goal to up the Cajuns lead to 17-3 with 6:57 to play in the first half.
The Golden Panthers moved into Cajuns territory again following a 19-yard completion from Padrick to Cory McKinney. Padrick found McKinney again, this time for 23 yards to the Cajuns 19 yard-line. Sam Smith hauled in a 17-yard touchdown pass to close the hosts to within seven points.
FIU came back to stun the Cajuns with another quick touchdown.
Babb had the Cajuns driving with four consecutive completions, but his fifth attempt was tipped by Lindon and intercepted by Greg Moss. Moss raced down the sidelines untouched for a 77-yard interception return. The Golden Panthers tied the game at 17-17 with a pair of touchdowns in a short span of 1:13.
Louisiana moved down the field quickly again, but needed a break to find the end zone.
Babb rifled passes to Kemmie Lewis for 23 yards, to Crist for nine yards, to Chester Johnson for 12 yard and again to Crist for eight yards down to the FIU two yard-line. A false start penalty, run for no gain and an incomplete pass forced the Cajuns into a field goal attempt. A bad snap diverted Comiskey's attempt, as holder Matt Lane's pass fell incomplete in the end zone.
A holding penalty on FIU gave UL a second chance with the ball placed on the four yard-line with 20 seconds remaining in the half. Babb found Travis Smothers on the first play for a touchdown to recapture the lead for the Cajuns.
FIU came out in the second half refusing to quit.
The Golden Panthers took their first possession of the second half 67 yards to pay dirt. Padrick directed the 11-play effort which culminated in a 10-yard touchdown pass to Harold Leath. The two teams stood deadlocked at 24-24 with 7:02 remaining.
The Cajuns offense again responded. Babb directed a 12-play, 64 yard drive that ended in a 29-yard field goal by Comiskey. Babb continued to look toward Crist, as the two hooked-up three times for 22 yards. On the drive, Babb completed 5-of-6 passes for 34 yards and added an 11-yard run.
FIU matched the Cajuns field goal with 9:26 remaining in the fourth quarter. After starting with excellent field position, the Golden Panthers moved 37 yards before Adam Moss converted a 41-yard field goal into the wind.
Facing adversity once more, Babb calmly engineered a 9-play, 63-yard drive in 4:14. The Cajuns used a five-yard touchdown run by Dwight Lindon, his second TD of the game, to take a 34-27 lead.
FIU matched the score with a seven-play, 67-yard drive in just 2:27.
-Ragin' Cajuns-
