University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
5-3 , 2-2
Southern Miss
2-5 , 1-2
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 7 | 14 | 7 | 3 | 31 |
| Southern Miss. | 7 | 14 | 0 | 14 | 35 |
10/24/2026 9:22:00 PM | Football
Cajuns drop another heartbreaker to Golden Eagles in Hattiesburg; will face South Alabama on Nov. 7
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The Ragin' Cajuns (5-3, 2-2 Sun Belt) suffered their second heartbreaking loss in the final minute this month, following a 32-31 setback at Louisiana Tech on Oct. 10. The setback also prevented Louisiana's third-ever win in 27 tries against Southern Miss (2-5, 1-2 Sun Belt) in Hattiesburg.
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Louisiana took a 31-28 lead on Tony Sterner's 22-yard field goal with 2:51 remaining, capping a 17-play, 74-yard drive that consumed more than seven minutes. Southern Miss answered with an eight-play, 75-yard drive, taking the lead on Jamarice Wilder's 16-yard touchdown run with 58 seconds left.
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The Ragin' Cajuns had one final opportunity, but their ensuing possession ended on downs.
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Quarterback Lunch Winfield threw for a career-high 299 yards, completing 22 of 41 passes with two touchdowns and one interception. He also opened the scoring with a 5-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.
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JJ Garner continued his streak of finding the end zone on the ground, scoring a rushing touchdown for the fifth consecutive game. Garner broke free for a 42-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, tying the game at 14-14, and finished with 52 rushing yards on seven carries.
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Louisiana trailed 21-14 late in the first half before Winfield connected with Trenton Chaney on a 4-yard touchdown pass with 31 seconds remaining to even the score at halftime.
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The Ragin' Cajuns took control in the third quarter when Winfield found Anthony Reagan Jr. for a 31-yard touchdown, giving Louisiana a 28-21 advantage with 2:16 left in the period.
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Southern Miss tied the game early in the fourth quarter when Kolby Peavy returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown with 10:05 remaining.
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Louisiana outgained the Golden Eagles through the air, finishing with 417 yards of total offense, including 299 passing yards and 118 rushing yards. Southern Miss totaled 450 yards, led by its ground game, which produced 286 yards and four touchdowns.
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Steven Robinson rushed for 145 yards and three touchdowns for Southern Miss, while Wilder added 154 rushing yards and the decisive score.
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Jake St. Andre totaled 11 tackles with a sack to lead Louisiana with Lake Bates recording a career-high 10 stops. Kody Jackson had nine tackles and a fumble recovery for the Ragin' Cajuns while Micah Johnson and Maurion Eleam posted eight stops each.
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Louisiana will return to action on Saturday, November 7 when it hosts South Alabama in the annual Louisiana Salutes game at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium.
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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).
Players Mentioned
Team Stats
UL 7, USM 0
UL - Winfield,Lunch 5 yd run (Sterner,Tony kick), 13 plays, 75 yards, TOP 07:23
UL 7, USM 7
USM - Robinson,Steven 8 yd run (Wilbanks,Creighton kick), 7 plays, 67 yards, TOP 03:04
UL 7, USM 14
USM - Robinson,Steven 4 yd run (Wilbanks,Creighton kick), 10 plays, 50 yards, TOP 03:16
UL 14, USM 14
UL - Garner,JJ 42 yd run (Sterner,Tony kick), 1 plays, 42 yards, TOP 00:10
UL 14, USM 21
USM - Robinson,Steven 10 yd run (Wilbanks,Creighton kick), 10 plays, 66 yards, TOP 03:02
UL 21, USM 21
UL - Chaney,Trenton 4 yd pass from Winfield,Lunch (Sterner,Tony kick) 6 plays, 83 yards, TOP 01:04
UL 28, USM 21
UL - Reagan Jr.,Anthony 31 yd pass from Winfield,Lunch (Sterner,Tony kick) 8 plays, 76 yards, TOP 03:23
UL 28, USM 28
USM - Peavy,Kolby 30 yd interception (Wilbanks,Creighton kick)
UL 31, USM 28
UL - Sterner,Tony 22 yd field goal 17 plays, 74 yards, TOP 07:08
UL 31, USM 35
USM - Wilder,Jamarice 16 yd run (Wilbanks,Creighton kick), 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 01:53
