University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
Troy
Turnovers Cause Trouble In Troy
10/17/2010 2:29:00 AM | Football
Louisiana's Ragin Cajuns racked up a season-best five turnovers on defense but surrendered five of their own in a 31-24 defeat on the road at Troy on Saturday evening. Only one turnover led to points for each team, but a costly fourth quarter fumble near the goal line by UL proved to be the difference.
The Cajuns now sit at 2-4 overall and 2-2 in the Sun Belt. Troy improved to 4-2 overall and perfect 3-0 mark in the league.
Both teams put up similar numbers with UL gaining 350 yards to Troy's 380.
In his first game of the season, quarterback Brad McGuire punched into the end zone on the Cajuns' opening possession to claim an early 7-0 lead. Key to the nine-play, 74-yard drive was a 16-yard pass from Chris Masson to Pierre Hill on 3rd-and-14 from the Cajuns' 22-yard line. Masson was 4-for-4 on the drive for 72 yards, including a 39-yard completion to Ladarius Green that set the Cajuns up at Troy's 12-yard line. It was Green's first catch having sat out the past two games.
Later in the first quarter, the Cajuns' defense picked off the first of its three interceptions. The interception by Orkeys Auriene marked the eighth-straight game in which UL has recorded a pick. But UL turned the ball back over to Troy on downs after advancing to Troy's 31-yard line.
On the ensuing drive, Troy covered 69 yards in eight plays to tie the game at 7-7.
Minutes into the second quarter, the defense came up with another turnover. Emeka Onyeneukwu forced a fumble and Jordan Topp came up with the ball just past midfield in Troy territory.
McGuire made the most of the turnover, notching his second touchdown on the day from one yard out. The one yard dive capped off a seven-play, 43-yard drive at 9:12 mark in the second quarter.
The Trojans' had to settle for a 26-yard field goal on the following possession. UL's defense held fast as Troy marched down to the field to the 11-yard line but could not pick up another first down.
The Cajuns were forced to punt away on the next set of downs and Troy capitalized. Jerrel Jernigan made six Cajuns miss on the return and went 75 yards for the Trojans' first lead of the night. It was the first time an opponent returned a punt for a touchdown since 2003 when Oklahoma State's Darrent Williams accomplished the feat.
Troy looked to widen the gap heading into the break but the defense was able to come up with its third turnover. Le'Marcus Gibson picked off Troy's Corey Robinson in the end zone in the final minute of the half to squash a red zone opportunity for the Trojans.
On their first drive of the second half, UL struggled to move the ball. Facing a 4th-and-5 from the Cajuns' 31, Spencer Ortego scampered 19 yards to keep the drive alive. But on the next play, Masson threw an interception, turning the ball over at Troy's 17-yard line.
Yet the defense came through again, setting the offense up at midfield with its fourth turnover of the night. Lance Kelly stripped a Trojan of the ball and Lionel Stokes was able to come up with it.
But UL coughed it up to the Trojans six plays later. Once again the defense held its ground, stuffing Troy on a fourth down attempt.
The offense then converted a fourth down of its own as McGuire hooked up with Javone Lawson for two yards. The completion set the Cajuns up at Troy's seven yard line. Two plays later, Masson found Marlin Miller in the end zone to reclaim the lead. The big play of the 65-yard drive came on the second snap with Masson hooking up with Lawson for 48 yards.
The defense did it again on Troy's ensuing possession as Devon Lewis-Buchanan snagged an interception to set the Cajuns up in the red zone at Troy's 15-yardline following a personal foul. The third interception tied a Cajuns record for the most picks in a Sun Belt game.
Another personal foul on Troy kept the drive alive until the Trojans picked up a fumble at the five-yard line and returned it 62 yards. A 34-yard touchdown pass from John Chandler gave the lead back in favor of the home team, 24-21.
Louisiana's Brett Baer knotted the score at 24-24 halfway through the fourth quarter. His 42-yard field goal was the end result of seven-play, 28-yard drive. The kick was first career attempt after stepping into the starting role before the Oklahoma State game.
But another Trojan touchdown with 4:43 remaining sealed the Cajuns' fate.
Masson finished the day 23-of-41 for 246 yards. Aaron Spikes was UL's leading rusher with 40 yards on 14 carries. Green led the receiving corps grabbing four passes for 96 yards. Lawson also had a good day in Troy's secondary with six receptions for 75 yards.
-- Ragin' Cajuns --
