University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Saturday, November 1
Mobile, Ala.
2:30 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
3-6 , 2-3
31
at
22
South Alabama
2-7 , 1-4
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Louisiana
10
14
7
0
31
South Alabama
0
7
7
8
22
Winfield's Single-Game Record Leads Cajuns Past South Alabama, 31-22
11/1/2025 7:37:00 PM | Football
Sampson snags pair of TDs; defense provides late goal-line stand, interception to win third straight in Mobile
MOBILE, Ala. – Lunch Winfield turned in one of the most efficient passing performances in Louisiana football history, and the Ragin' Cajuns rode a dominant first half to a 31-22 Sun Belt Conference victory over South Alabama on Saturday at Hancock Whitney Stadium.
Winfield completed 14 of 15 passes for 232 yards and two touchdowns, opening 13-for-13 and setting a single-game school record with a 93-percent completion rate. The previous mark of 90 percent (18-for-20) was held by Chandler Fields against ULM during the 2023 season.
Behind Winfield's offensive effort, Louisiana (3-6, 2-3 SBC) built a 24-7 halftime lead and held off a late rally to defeat the Jaguars (2-7, 1-4 SBC) for the third straight time on the road.
Shelton Sampson Jr. was Winfield's top target, hauling in six passes for a career-high 138 yards and two touchdown receptions. Zylan Perry added 56 yards rushing and an 18-yard rushing score, while Winfield contributed another touchdown on the ground.
Louisiana struck first midway through the opening quarter when Winfield found Sampson for a 25-yard touchdown to cap a nine-play, 75-yard opening drive. Tony Sterner followed with a 32-yard field goal late in the period to make it 10-0.
South Alabama briefly cut the deficit to 10-7 on a 15-yard scoring run from Keenan Phillips early in the second quarter, but the Cajuns answered quickly. Perry's touchdown run capped a 75-yard march, which took over seven minutes off the clock, and Winfield connected again with Sampson from 17 yards out to give Louisiana firm control at the break.
Winfield's 1-yard sneak on the opening drive in the third quarter stretched the lead to 31-7 after another 75-yard drive. South Alabama responded with touchdowns from quarterback Bishop Davenport, a 5-yard run in the third and a 64-yard strike to Jeremy Scott in the fourth.
But the Cajuns' defense stiffened in the closing minutes, highlighted by a goal-line stand from inside UL 1 and Jaden Dugger's interception with just over a minute remaining to seal the win.
Louisiana finished with 393 yards of total offense, including 161 on the ground. Bill Davis added 56 rushing yards, while Perry and Winfield combined for 101 on the ground.
Dugger led the Cajuns with 11 total tackles. Tyree Skipper had nine tackles and recorded the team's lone sack, and Brent Gordon Jr. added two pass breakups.
Davenport completed 20 of 33 passes for 203 yards for South Alabama with Scott catching six passes for 102 yards. Kentrel Bullock, the leading rusher for South Alabama entering the game, was limited to 48 yards on 16 carries.
Louisiana will return home to face Texas State on Saturday in the annual "Louisiana Salutes" game – honoring our nation's military – at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m., with the game being televised on ESPN+.
All fans are encouraged to wear black. Fans who served in the military are also encouraged to send photos of themselves or other military members that will be displayed on the video board to GeauxCajuns@louisiana.edu.
Single-game tickets are available for as low as $25 and can be purchased through RaginCajuns.com and its social media platforms (Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram).
New this season, fans can park on the athletic footprint on a single-game basis for just $20 per game by clicking here. Fans will also be able to purchase single-game tailgate spots beginning at $100 by clicking here.
Fans are encouraged to stay connected with Louisiana Football by downloading the official #GeauxCajuns App — click here for iOS and here for Android — and by following the Ragin' Cajuns on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram (@RaginCajunsFB).
Winfield completed 14 of 15 passes for 232 yards and two touchdowns, opening 13-for-13 and setting a single-game school record with a 93-percent completion rate. The previous mark of 90 percent (18-for-20) was held by Chandler Fields against ULM during the 2023 season.
Behind Winfield's offensive effort, Louisiana (3-6, 2-3 SBC) built a 24-7 halftime lead and held off a late rally to defeat the Jaguars (2-7, 1-4 SBC) for the third straight time on the road.
Shelton Sampson Jr. was Winfield's top target, hauling in six passes for a career-high 138 yards and two touchdown receptions. Zylan Perry added 56 yards rushing and an 18-yard rushing score, while Winfield contributed another touchdown on the ground.
Louisiana struck first midway through the opening quarter when Winfield found Sampson for a 25-yard touchdown to cap a nine-play, 75-yard opening drive. Tony Sterner followed with a 32-yard field goal late in the period to make it 10-0.
South Alabama briefly cut the deficit to 10-7 on a 15-yard scoring run from Keenan Phillips early in the second quarter, but the Cajuns answered quickly. Perry's touchdown run capped a 75-yard march, which took over seven minutes off the clock, and Winfield connected again with Sampson from 17 yards out to give Louisiana firm control at the break.
Winfield's 1-yard sneak on the opening drive in the third quarter stretched the lead to 31-7 after another 75-yard drive. South Alabama responded with touchdowns from quarterback Bishop Davenport, a 5-yard run in the third and a 64-yard strike to Jeremy Scott in the fourth.
But the Cajuns' defense stiffened in the closing minutes, highlighted by a goal-line stand from inside UL 1 and Jaden Dugger's interception with just over a minute remaining to seal the win.
Louisiana finished with 393 yards of total offense, including 161 on the ground. Bill Davis added 56 rushing yards, while Perry and Winfield combined for 101 on the ground.
Dugger led the Cajuns with 11 total tackles. Tyree Skipper had nine tackles and recorded the team's lone sack, and Brent Gordon Jr. added two pass breakups.
Davenport completed 20 of 33 passes for 203 yards for South Alabama with Scott catching six passes for 102 yards. Kentrel Bullock, the leading rusher for South Alabama entering the game, was limited to 48 yards on 16 carries.
Louisiana will return home to face Texas State on Saturday in the annual "Louisiana Salutes" game – honoring our nation's military – at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m., with the game being televised on ESPN+.
All fans are encouraged to wear black. Fans who served in the military are also encouraged to send photos of themselves or other military members that will be displayed on the video board to GeauxCajuns@louisiana.edu.
Single-game tickets are available for as low as $25 and can be purchased through RaginCajuns.com and its social media platforms (Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram).
New this season, fans can park on the athletic footprint on a single-game basis for just $20 per game by clicking here. Fans will also be able to purchase single-game tailgate spots beginning at $100 by clicking here.
Fans are encouraged to stay connected with Louisiana Football by downloading the official #GeauxCajuns App — click here for iOS and here for Android — and by following the Ragin' Cajuns on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram (@RaginCajunsFB).
Team Stats
UL
USA
Total Yards
393
368
Pass Yards
232
203
Rushing Yards
161
165
Penalty Yards
65
52
1st Downs
23
20
3rd Downs
7
8
4th Downs
0
2
TOP
32:54
27:06
1st Quarter
UL 7, USA 0
UL - Sampson Jr. ,Shelton 25 yd pass from Winfield,Lunch (Sterner,Tony kick) 9 plays, 75 yards, TOP 04:46
UL 10, USA 0
UL - Sterner,Tony 32 yd field goal 9 plays, 60 yards, TOP 05:04
2nd Quarter
UL 10, USA 7
USA - Phillips,Keenan 15 yd run (Little,Davis kick), 16 plays, 84 yards, TOP 06:46
UL 17, USA 7
UL - Perry,Zylan 18 yd run (Sterner,Tony kick), 12 plays, 75 yards, TOP 07:29
UL 24, USA 7
UL - Sampson Jr. ,Shelton 17 yd pass from Winfield,Lunch (Sterner,Tony kick) 6 plays, 64 yards, TOP 01:25
3rd Quarter
UL 31, USA 7
UL - Winfield,Lunch 1 yd run (Sterner,Tony kick), 7 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:02
UL 31, USA 14
USA - Davenport,Bishop 5 yd run (Little,Davis kick), 12 plays, 75 yards, TOP 05:04
4th Quarter
UL 31, USA 22
USA - Scott,Jeremy 64 yd pass from Davenport,Bishop (Thomas,Trent pass) 1 plays, 64 yards, TOP 00:10
Game Leaders
CMP
14
TD
2
YDS
232
INT
0
CMP
0
TD
0
YDS
0
INT
0
Players Mentioned
RB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
QB
/ Football
CB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
S
/ Football
K
/ FootballQB
/ FootballMichael Desormeaux Media Availability (Oct 27, 2025)
Monday, October 27
Michael Desormeaux Media Availability (Oct 20, 2025)
Monday, October 20
Jaden Dugger Media Availability (Oct 18, 2025)
Sunday, October 19
Lunch Winfield Media Availability (Oct 18, 2025)
Sunday, October 19
