University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Thursday, November 4
Lafayette
6:30 P.M.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
8-1 , 6-0
21
vs
17
Georgia State
4-5 , 3-2
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Georgia State
3
0
7
7
17
Louisiana
0
0
7
14
21
Louisiana Prevails in Thursday Night Thriller with Georgia State
11/4/2021 11:49:00 PM | Football
Ragin’ Cajuns clinch the Sun Belt West Division title for fourth-straight season with the victory
LAFAYETTE – A late 13-yard touchdown run by freshman Montrell Johnson and a clutch defensive stand late in the game preserved a 21-17 victory over Georgia State and clinched the team's fourth-straight Sun Belt Conference West Division title on Thursday night.
Louisiana will now make its fourth consecutive appearance in the Sun Belt's title game, the only team in the league to do so, while the victory improved the Ragin' Cajuns to 14-3 in one-possession games under head coach Billy Napier.
In addition, the Ragin' Cajuns matched the program record for consecutive wins with eight, a feat that was last achieved in 1976.
A monster nine-catch, 118-yard performance from wide receiver Peter LeBlanc headlined the Ragin' Cajuns offensive production on the night. LeBlanc also found the end zone late in the third quarter to complete his stat sheet.
Johnson carried the ball for 98 yards on 17 attempts and added two fourth-quarter scores. With the pair of touchdowns, the New Orleans native is now tied for second with Trey Ragas for the most rushing scores by a Louisiana freshman (9) since 2000.
Levi Lewis submitted a solid performance with 287 yards through the air, while going 19-for-34 passes and the touchdown connection with LeBlanc.
Linebacker Lorenzo McCaskill, defensive lineman Zi'Yon Hill and safety Percy Butler led the Ragin' Cajuns' defense with eight tackles apiece. Chauncey Manac made a significant contribution tallying seven tackles, while AJ Riley contributed a career-high two sacks
The first half was a defensive slugfest, with Georgia State earning the only points on a 39-yard field goal.
Louisiana pieced together several long drives in the opening quarters, but were unable to convert on two fourth-down tries, stalling the momentum.
Early in the third quarter, the Panthers intercepted a pass from Lewis, the game's only turnover, and found the end zone three plays later on a 37-yard passing score.
Now trailing by double digits, the Louisiana offense found its groove on the next possession and began a 12-play, 75-yard journey down the field that was bookended by LeBlanc's score from 13 yards out.
The drive began to turn the tide in favor of the Ragin' Cajuns as the defense earned a quick stop, giving the ball back to the offense and setting up a six-play 50-yard drive that resulted in a second consecutive score. Johnson crossed the pylons from three yards out.
The Panthers failed to go away as the opposing offense rushed the ball on 16 consecutive plays and took the lead back with just over five minutes to play.
Needing a score, the Louisiana offense once again delivered down the stretch as Lewis marched the unit down the field in eight plays and set up Johnson for a one-yard touchdown run to push the Cajuns ahead, 21-17.
Georgia State had a final chance to respond, but a fourth-down pass breakup by junior cornerback Eric Garror sealed the 21-17 win and the West Division title.
The Ragin' Cajuns will be back in action next Saturday when the team travels to Troy, Ala., to face the Troy Trojans. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. and will be available to stream live at 2:30 p.m.
Follow the Ragin' Cajuns on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram (@RaginCajunsFB) to stay up-to-date on Louisiana Football.
Louisiana will now make its fourth consecutive appearance in the Sun Belt's title game, the only team in the league to do so, while the victory improved the Ragin' Cajuns to 14-3 in one-possession games under head coach Billy Napier.
In addition, the Ragin' Cajuns matched the program record for consecutive wins with eight, a feat that was last achieved in 1976.
A monster nine-catch, 118-yard performance from wide receiver Peter LeBlanc headlined the Ragin' Cajuns offensive production on the night. LeBlanc also found the end zone late in the third quarter to complete his stat sheet.
Johnson carried the ball for 98 yards on 17 attempts and added two fourth-quarter scores. With the pair of touchdowns, the New Orleans native is now tied for second with Trey Ragas for the most rushing scores by a Louisiana freshman (9) since 2000.
Levi Lewis submitted a solid performance with 287 yards through the air, while going 19-for-34 passes and the touchdown connection with LeBlanc.
Linebacker Lorenzo McCaskill, defensive lineman Zi'Yon Hill and safety Percy Butler led the Ragin' Cajuns' defense with eight tackles apiece. Chauncey Manac made a significant contribution tallying seven tackles, while AJ Riley contributed a career-high two sacks
The first half was a defensive slugfest, with Georgia State earning the only points on a 39-yard field goal.
Louisiana pieced together several long drives in the opening quarters, but were unable to convert on two fourth-down tries, stalling the momentum.
Early in the third quarter, the Panthers intercepted a pass from Lewis, the game's only turnover, and found the end zone three plays later on a 37-yard passing score.
Now trailing by double digits, the Louisiana offense found its groove on the next possession and began a 12-play, 75-yard journey down the field that was bookended by LeBlanc's score from 13 yards out.
The drive began to turn the tide in favor of the Ragin' Cajuns as the defense earned a quick stop, giving the ball back to the offense and setting up a six-play 50-yard drive that resulted in a second consecutive score. Johnson crossed the pylons from three yards out.
The Panthers failed to go away as the opposing offense rushed the ball on 16 consecutive plays and took the lead back with just over five minutes to play.
Needing a score, the Louisiana offense once again delivered down the stretch as Lewis marched the unit down the field in eight plays and set up Johnson for a one-yard touchdown run to push the Cajuns ahead, 21-17.
Georgia State had a final chance to respond, but a fourth-down pass breakup by junior cornerback Eric Garror sealed the 21-17 win and the West Division title.
The Ragin' Cajuns will be back in action next Saturday when the team travels to Troy, Ala., to face the Troy Trojans. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. and will be available to stream live at 2:30 p.m.
Follow the Ragin' Cajuns on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram (@RaginCajunsFB) to stay up-to-date on Louisiana Football.
Team Stats
GSU
LA
Total Yards
307
430
Pass Yards
98
287
Rushing Yards
209
143
Penalty Yards
12
55
1st Downs
20
21
3rd Downs
7
8
4th Downs
1
1
TOP
28:46
31:14
1st Quarter
GSU 3, LA 0
GSU - Ruiz,Noel 39 yd field goal 12 plays, 71 yards, TOP 05:15
3rd Quarter
GSU 10, LA 0
GSU - Carter,Roger 37 yd pass from Grainger,Darren (Ruiz,Noel kick) 3 plays, 52 yards, TOP 00:54
GSU 10, LA 7
LA - LeBlanc,Peter 13 yd pass from Lewis,Levi (Snyder,Nate kick) 12 plays, 75 yards, TOP 05:57
4th Quarter
GSU 10, LA 14
LA - Johnson,Montrell 3 yd run (Snyder,Nate kick), 6 plays, 50 yards, TOP 02:24
GSU 17, LA 14
GSU - Gregg,Tucker 1 yd run (Ruiz,Noel kick), 16 plays, 75 yards, TOP 07:46
GSU 17, LA 21
LA - Johnson,Montrell 13 yd run (Snyder,Nate kick), 8 plays, 71 yards, TOP 02:49
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
CMP
19
TD
1
YDS
287
INT
1
Players Mentioned
S
/ Football
CB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
RB
/ Football
WR
/ FootballQB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
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