University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
North Texas
Losing Streak Reaches Three Games as Cajuns Fall to North Texas
11/11/2006 5:00:00 AM | Football
The win improves North Texas to 3-7 (2-3), while the loss dumps the Sun Belt's pre-season favorite to 4-5 (1-3). The Cajuns managed only 208 yards of total offense, 93 of which came on UL's only scoring drive.
UL surrendered nine points thanks to special teams miscues.
The Cajuns lost an important coin toss prior to the game and were forced to play into a gusting wind to start the contest.
UL started its three series of the first quarter inside the 20-yard line, while North Texas enjoyed their first two series at their 40-yard line.
The Mean Green's third series began at the Cajuns 31-yard line after Brit Framel's punt was blocked by Deavin Cox. On the fifth play of the drive, Daniel Meager hit Johnny Quinn with a four-yard touchdown pass to give NT a 7-0 lead.
On the ensuing drive, the Cajuns moved 29 yards on seven plays into North Texas territory for the first time in the game. On third-and-three from the 34-yard line, Deon Wallace took the handoff around the left side andfumbled, giving the Mean Green control with 8:31 remaining in the first half.
Following the fumble, North Texas marched down the field 61 yards until Torres Kingsby intercepted a Matt Phillips pass in the end zone. Kingsby returned his second career interception out to the seven-yard line, where the Cajuns took over with 2:45 remaining in the first half.
After three straight rushes netted 18 yards, Jerry Babb found Derrick Smith with a 45-yard pass down to the NT 30-yard line.
The Cajuns called their final timeout after Babb scrambled six yards to the two-yard line with 1.8 seconds remaining. The field goal unit stayed on the sidelines as the Cajuns went for the touchdown.
Babb connected with Smith on a slant one-yard deep in the end zone to give the Cajuns their only score of the game. Drew Edmiston's extra point attempt was good, knotting the score at 7-7.
UL managed only 40 net rushing yards, led by Tyrell Fenroy who had 15 carries for 60 yards. Derrick Smith had 102 receiving yards to lead all players. It marked the first 100-yard receiver for the Cajuns in the last 20 games.
The Cajuns first drive of the second half went to the NT 14-yard line.
Following a short punt and an eight-yard return by Phillip Nevels, UL took over at the NT 34-yard line. The Cajuns moved 20 yards in six plays, until a fourth-and-two pass by Babb to Corey Fredrick sailed incomplete.
The Mean Green retook the lead on the next drive. NT put together an 11-play, 86-yard drive covering 4:31 of the third quarter. The drive ended with a 36-yard touchdown pass from Matt Phillips to Casey Fitzgerald ? the Mean Green's third third-down conversion on the drive.
After a high snap on the Cajuns next punt resulted in a safety, NT drove 54 yards to the Cajuns 12-yard line.
Denis Hopovac missed a 29-yard field goal that would have given the visitor's a 12-point lead.
Cox led the Mean Green with 98 yards rushing.
