Ohio Edges Louisiana Late, 31-23

LAFAYETTE - Louisiana-Lafayette head coach Rickey Bustle boasted an 11-1 record at home when leading at halftime. That record was tarnished on Saturday, as Ohio University overcame a 10-point deficit at the break to defeat Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns by a final score of 31-23.

The Cajuns opened the second half with 20-10 lead, but Ohio made it a three-point game late in the third quarter.

After gaining possession in Cajuns territory, the Bobcats moved 43 yards in nine plays. Kalvin McRae scored his 29th career rushing touchdown to trim the Cajuns lead to 20-17 with 3:32 to play in the third quarter. Ohio converted all three third down attempts on the drive, including a third-and-10.

UL responded with a nine-play, 52-yard drive, ending with a 28-yard field goal by Drew Edmiston. During the drive, Tyrell Fenroy had three runs for 44 yards, becoming the all-time leading rusher ? by a running back ? in Louisiana-Lafayette history.

McRae answered just 38 seconds later with his 30th career rushing touchdown to give Ohio a 24-23 lead with 14:34 left in the game.

McRae scored again ? his third rushing score and fourth touchdown of the game ? to cap an 11-play, 54-yard drive that consumed 5:34 of the fourth quarter.

The Cajuns took possession at their 21-yard line with 4:12 remaining trailing 31-23. UL marched 77 yards in 12 plays, converting three third downs, but a fumble at the Ohio two-yard line was recovered by the Bobcats Landon Cohen to end the Cajuns chances.

After just 19 rushing yards on nine first half carries, McRae ended with 84 yards on 20 carries, including three rushing and one receiving touchdown. Quarterback Brad Bower finished 17-of-28 for 264 yards passing.

The Cajuns were led by a pair of 100-yard rushers. Fenroy finished with 136 yards on 24 carries, while quarterback Michael Desormeaux had 101 yards on 19 carries. Desormeaux was also 16-of-25 passing for 234 yards and two touchdowns. Derrick Smith led all receivers with four receptions for 99 yards.

The teams traded touchdowns on their opening drives, yet it was Ohio with a 7-6 lead at 10:12.

The Cajuns struck first with a seven-play, 80-yard drive. The drive's big play came with a 37-yard pass from Desormeaux to Smith. Five plays later, wide receiver Richie Falgout took the handoff and proceeded to toss a 23-yard touchdown pass to Jason Chery. Edmiston missed the extra point to keep the Cajuns lead 6-0.

Ohio answered in five plays. Bower completed two passes, covering most of the drive, including a screen pass to running back McRae that turned into a 44-yard touchdown. The Ohio extra point was good by Michael Braunstein, giving the visitors a 7-6 edge.

The Cajuns took the lead thanks to a pair of firsts. Desormeaux connected with Jordan Jackson for a 16-yard touchdown pass to put Louisiana in front 13-7. It was the first career touchdown pass by Desormeaux and the first career touchdown reception by Jackson. The scoring drive was made possible thanks to a 44-yard run by Tyrell Fenroy.

The Bobcats cut their deficit in half thanks to a 27-yard field goal by Braunstein. Ohio gained 64 yards on one play after Bower hit a wide-open Justin Fitzgerald down the sidelines. The Bobcats moved to the Cajuns eight-yard line, but had to settle for three points after the Cajuns defense used pressure to subdue the Bobcats.

Jarrett Jones used his second interception of the season to halt an Ohio scoring drive. The Bobcats had moved down to the Cajuns 32-yard line, but Jones snatched an overthrown ball to give the Cajuns possession at their 19-yard line.

The Cajuns extended their lead to 20-10 with a seven-play drive that spanned 81 yards. Fenroy began the drive with a three-yard rush, but a false start moved the Cajuns back to their own 17-yard line. Desormeaux hit Deon Wallace on a 41-yard pass to advance the ball into Bobcat territory. UL moved into the red zone after a 20-yard reception by Smith. Three plays
later, Desormeaux connected with Abdule Levier for a 12-yard scoring strike. The reception by Levier was the third of his career and his first receiving touchdown.

-www.RaginCajuns.com-

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