University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
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Mississippi State
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Louisiana’s Comeback Effort Falls Short Against Mississippi State, 38-28
8/31/2019 5:11:00 PM | Football
The Ragin’ Cajuns’ 28 points were the most against a Power 5 opponent since the 2015 season
Despite the score line, there were plenty of bright spots for the team to build off, including a monster performance by Jamal Bell. Bell finished the afternoon with eight receptions for 113 yards, both career highs.
Redshirt senior Raymond Calais paced the ground game with 80 yards rushing on eight carries, while Ragas notched nine carries for 63 yards and a score. Elijah Mitchell added an additional 31 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown as well.
The defense forced two turnovers on the game and were led by Percy Butler, who recorded a career-best nine tackles against the Bulldogs. Jacques Boudreaux also had strong day with eight tackles.
After trading touchdowns in the first quarter, Mississippi State's Nick Gibson put the Bulldogs back in front with 9:18 in the first half with an eight-yard touchdown run. Nick Ralston helped Louisiana answer the call at the 4:31 mark, hauling in an 11-yard pass from Levi Lewis to knot things up at 14 points apiece.
Mississippi State (1-0) took the momentum back in the final minute of the opening half when Tommy Stevens scored from four yards out to send the visitors into the locker room ahead 21-14.
That momentum carried into the second half when the Bulldogs rattled off 14 unanswered points to open a 35-14 lead. Down 21 points with less than 10 minutes to play, Louisiana responded with rushing touchdowns from Lewis and Ragas to pull within 35-28 with 2:45 to play.
After a failed onside kick attempt by the Ragin' Cajuns, Mississippi State was able to march the ball into field goal range and convert on a 37-yard kick off the foot of Jordan Lawless to seal the 38-28 decision.
Louisiana returns to the gridiron on Saturday, September 7, when it hosts Liberty at Cajun Field. Kickoff is slated for 6:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Team Stats
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MSSTATE 7, LA 0
MSSTATE - Osirus Mitchell 31 yd pass from Tommy Stevens (Jordan Lawless kick) 6 plays, 74 yards, TOP 2:33
MSSTATE 7, LA 7
LA - Mitchell, Elija 3 yd run (Artigue, Stevie kick), 3 plays, 15 yards, TOP 1:05
MSSTATE 14, LA 7
MSSTATE - Nick Gibson 8 yd run (Jordan Lawless kick), 5 plays, 42 yards, TOP 1:56
MSSTATE 14, LA 14
LA - Ralston, Nick 11 yd pass from Lewis, Levi (Artigue, Stevie kick) 10 plays, 69 yards, TOP 4:41
MSSTATE 21, LA 14
MSSTATE - Tommy Stevens 4 yd run (Jordan Lawless kick), 11 plays, 82 yards, TOP 3:54
MSSTATE 28, LA 14
MSSTATE - Kylin Hill 5 yd run (Jordan Lawless kick), 9 plays, 65 yards, TOP 4:06
MSSTATE 35, LA 14
MSSTATE - Austin Williams 12 yd pass from Tommy Stevens (Jordan Lawless kick) 1 plays, 12 yards, TOP 0:07
MSSTATE 35, LA 21
LA - Lewis, Levi 1 yd run (Artigue, Stevie kick), 9 plays, 69 yards, TOP 3:03
MSSTATE 35, LA 28
LA - Ragas, Trey 17 yd run (Artigue, Stevie kick), 14 plays, 99 yards, TOP 4:36
MSSTATE 38, LA 28
MSSTATE - Jordan Lawless 37 yd field goal 6 plays, 23 yards, TOP 1:43
