Cajuns Fall Short in Upset Bid of FAU

LAFAYETTE - Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns were 63 seconds away from a shocking upset of Florida Atlantic, only to be shocked in overtime by a final score of 39-32.

Louisiana (1-7, 1-3) tied the game with 7:47 remaining, and then after a terrific defensive stand, Michael Desormeaux put the Cajuns in front 32-25 with a 32-yard touchdown run at the 1:03 mark of the fourth quarter.

FAU (4-3, 3-0) needed less than one minute to slice through the Cajuns defense, tying the game with a 17-yard scoring pass from Rusty Smith to Cortez Gent. The Owls considered attempting the two-point conversion, but after a timeout, kicked the extra point to send the game into overtime.

In overtime, Charles Pierre put the visitors in front with a one-yard score. The Cajuns tried to answer, moving the ball to the three-line, but a sack, false start and incomplete pass ended the game.

Smith finished the night 26-of-45 for 308 yards, including four touchdown passes to four different receivers. Pierre ran for 93 yards, including the game-winning score.

Desormeaux led all players with 145 yards rushing and scored twice on the ground. He was 14-for-22 passing for 121 yards. Derrick Smith had a game-high seven receptions totaling 75 yards.

UL took their first lead late in the third quarter after FAU attempted a 49-yard field goal. Korey Raymond swatted away the attempt and into the arms of Jarrett Jones, who recovered the loose ball and returned it 53 yards for a touchdown.

The Cajuns attempted the two-point conversion, but Desormeaux's pass sailed high and UL had an 18-17 lead with 3:19 remaining in the third quarter. The blocked kick was the 31st blocked kick in the Rickey Bustle era and it was the sixth touchdown scored on a blocked kick.

FAU answered with a 12-play, 86-yard scoring drive, cashing in on a one-yard pass from Smith to Willie Rose. Smith completed the two-point pass to DiIvory Edgecomb to give the visitors a 25-17 lead. The Owls used three big plays, a rush of 19 yards by Pierre and passes of 21 and 30 yards to Chris Bonner and Gent, respectively, to account for a majority of their yardage on
the drive.

The Cajuns countered to tie the game at 25-25 with a 13-play, 72-yard scoring drive that ended with a one-yard plunge by Chancellor Roberson. The drive's key plays were three passes to Smith totaling 41 yards.

UL has a bye next weekend and returns to action on Nov. 3 at Tennessee, while the Owls host Louisiana-Monroe on Oct. 27.

A pair of Cajuns turnovers led to two FAU scores in the first quarter.

The UL defense was firm on the opening drive of the game, forcing the Owls into a three-and-out. It marked the first time this season that the Cajuns defense forced a punt without allowing a first down on the opponent's opening drive of the game.

The ensuing punt return was muffed by Phillip Nevels, giving the Owls a second chance. FAU took over on the Cajuns 32-yard line and moved 16 yards in seven plays before settling for a Warley Leroy 33-yard field goal.

The Cajuns were backed-up on their own seven-yard line late in the first quarter when Desormeaux was intercepted by FAU's Corey Small. The Owls wasted little time, as Smith hit a wide open Jason Harmon in the back of the end zone on the first play of the drive, extending FAU's lead to 10-0.

UL responded with a 13-play, 63-yard scoring drive that ended with a Drew Edmiston 31-yard field goal. The drive was highlighted by a 22-yard rush from Tyrell Fenroy on third-and-one. On the drive, the Cajuns converted 3-of-4 third down opportunities.

The Cajuns capitalized after FAU failed to convert on fourth-and-two from the 43-yard line. Desormeaux directed a 57-yard drive and ended it with a 19-yard touchdown run. Desormeaux was responsible for all but 10 yards on the drive. He rushed for 31 yards while passing for 16 more. Edmiston's PAT was blocked leaving the score 10-9 in favor of the Owls.

Florida Atlantic's first possession of the second half resulted in an 80-yard touchdown drive which ended with a 30-yard TD pass from Smith to Bonner. Smith was 4-for-5 on the drive with completions of seven, 17, 19 and 30 yards.

The Cajuns answered with a 10-play scoring drive that ended with Edmiston's 27-yard field goal. Desormeaux broke a 34-yard run to move the Cajuns into FAU territory and Deon Wallace had runs of 13 yards and 12 yards, respectively. The Cajuns were able to drive to the eight-yard line before the Owls defense stiffened and the Cajuns had to settle for a field goal.

-www.RaginCajuns.com-

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