University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
Middle Tennessee
Cajuns Comeback to Win
10/22/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Saturday, Oct. 22, 2005
Statistical Recap
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns won their second straight dramatic game in Murfreesboro, Tenn., topping the Blue Raiders 13-10 on Saturday at Floyd Stadium.
The Cajuns persevered for the victory despite the odds stacked against them. Head coach Rickey Bustle was 0-17 all-time when trailing at the half on the road. The Cajuns trailed 10-7 at the break, but the second half's lone score ? a Booker Jenkins 6-yard touchdown run with 1:04 remaining ? proved to be the difference in the game.
After three quarters, the Cajuns were in a position that they hadn't been in since the second game of the season. UL trailed 10-7 heading into the fourth quarter, something they had only done twice this season, both coming in the first two games of the season.
Mark Risher recovered his own forced fumble in the fourth quarter, ending the Cajuns 12-quarter drought of not forcing a turnover. The fumble stopped the driving Blue Raiders, who were nearing the Cajuns red zone.
Louisiana took control on their 22 yard-line, but could only move 36 yards before punting.
The ensuing possession saw MT go three-and-out and punt back to the Cajuns. A 20-yard return by Michael Adams gave the Cajuns the ball on their 49 yard-line with 8:41 to play. UL could only muster eight yards before punting again.
The Cajuns defense forced their second straight three-and-out to get the ball back for the offense. UL took over with 5:15 remaining on their 29 yard-line. Michael Desormeaux moved the Cajuns 71 yards in 11 plays, completing three-of-five passes for 34 yards, including a nine-yard screen pass to Dwight Lindon on fourth-and-four. Desormeaux also added two rushes for 15 yards on the drive. Jenkins plowed in from six yards out to put UL ahead 13-10.
Sean Comiskey missed the extra point, but it did not matter as the Cajuns defense smothered the Blue Raiders last offensive attempt. Excellent kick-off coverage by the Cajuns left MT on their own eight yard-line with 57 second remaining. The Cajuns were able to sack quarterback Clint Marks twice in the last minute, allowing MT to advance no further than their 40 yard-line.
Louisiana allowed just 263 yards of total offense, the fewest in any game this season, and had nine sacks ? a new school record.
The Blue Raiders took the opening drive 76 yards in 13 plays to score on a three-yard run by Ralph King. Despite a pair of penalties, MT used six plays that gained double-figure yardage en route to the end zone.
On the Cajuns opening possession, Tyrell Fenroy broke a third-and-nine run for 14 yards, but lost the ball at the end of the run to give MT possession in Cajuns territory. The Blue Raiders were stopped by the Cajuns, but a 15-yard facemask penalty on the Cajuns kept the host's drive alive. Colby Smith added to MT's lead with a 37-yard field goal with 4:18 to play in the first quarter.
Louisiana countered with an 11-play, 81-yard drive in 6:05. The drive's key plays were all made by Josh Harrison. Harrison broke a third down run for 27 yards down to the MT 28 yard-line. A 16-yard reception by Harrison put the Cajuns in the red zone before Harrison's two-yard scoring plunge capped the drive.
A short 28-yard punt gave MT the ball on the Cajuns 45 yard-line to start their fourth drive of the game. UL played tough defense and forced the Blue Raiders to punt.
After a failed attempt on fourth-and-two from the MT 35 with 1:23 remaining in the half, the Blue Raiders moved 47 yards on two plays in 19 seconds down to the Cajuns 18 yard-line. Eugene Kwarteng came up with a sack with 41 seconds remaining to push the hosts back six yards. MT faced a fourth down, but another personal foul penalty gave MT a first down. Brent Burkhalter was able to get to the quarterback, and drew an intentional grounding penalty to force MT into a 42-yard field goal that was missed short.
-Ragin' Cajuns-
