University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Saturday, November 7
Lafayette, La.
4:00 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
vs
South Alabama
11/6/2026 11:55:00 AM | Football
Cajuns host Jaguars in "Blackout Game" for Louisiana Salutes
LAFAYETTE – The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Football team returns to Sun Belt Conference play after an open date when it plays host to West Division rival South Alabama on Saturday in the annual "Louisiana Salutes" game at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium.
Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.
The game will be available on ESPN+ with Dan McDonald (pxp), Steve Peloquin (color) and Ben Schafer (sideline) providing commentary. Fans can also listen on the Ragin' Cajuns Radio Network and Varsity Sports Network, with Jay Walker (pxp), Cody Junot (color) and Dawson Eiserloh (sideline) on the call.
Tickets are available and can be purchased through RaginCajuns.com.
Louisiana (5-3, 2-2 SBC) looks to extend its streak of achieving bowl eligibility to nine consecutive years – the ninth-longest active streak in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) – as it faces South Alabama (4-4, 2-2 SBC) for the 15th time. The Ragin' Cajuns hold a 10-4 lead in the series, with the road team claiming the last five meetings.
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).
GAME 9 PREVIEW – Louisiana (5-3, 2-2 SBC) vs. South Alabama (4-4, 2-2 SBC)
Location: Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium (30,932) | Lafayette, La.
Date/Time: Saturday, November 7 | 4:00 p.m.
TV/RADIO
TV: ESPN+
Talent: Dan McDonald (play-by-play), Steve Peloquin (analyst), Ben Schafer (sideline)
Radio: Lafayette – Hot 107.9 FM; 103.3 The Goat, 1420 AM; New Orleans/Slidell – WGSO 990 AM; Worldwide – Varsity Network powered by Learfield
Talent: Jay Walker (play-by-play), Cody Junot (analyst), Dawson Eiserloh (sideline)
TICKETS
Single-game tickets are available and can be purchased through RaginCajuns.com
LIVE STATS
Available at CajunStats.StatBroadcast.com
SERIES RECORD
Overall – Louisiana leads, 10-4
In Lafayette – Louisiana leads, 5-2
In Mobile – Louisiana leads, 5-2
Last 10 Meetings – Louisiana, 8-2
Streak – Louisiana +1
KICKING OFF
• Louisiana looks to achieve bowl eligibility for the ninth consecutive season when returns to action for the first time since October 24 when it hosts South Alabama in the annual "Louisiana Salutes" game.
LOUISIANA STORYLINES
• With his next victory, head coach Michael Desormeaux will move into sole possession of sixth place on the school's all-time list - and five wins behind his predecessor, Billy Napier, who won 40 games from 2018-21.
• Desormeaux is currently tied with Clement J. McNaspy (34 wins - 1908-11, 1913, 1917-18) on the program's all-time list.
• The Ragin' Cajuns return 41 letterwinners and 15 starters from the 2025 season.
• With a win, Louisiana will extend an eight-year active streak of competing in a bowl game, currently the ninth-longest streak in the FBS.
• The visiting team has secured the win in the last five meetings in the series dating back to 2020 (a 38-10 Louisiana win at Cajun Field).
• Redshirt freshman JJ Garner (Timpson, Texas) has scored a rushing touchdown in five consecutive games (Charlotte, Arkansas State, Louisiana Tech, Troy, Southern Miss).
• Four players - Lunch Winfield, JJ Garner, Steven Blanco, and Anthony Reagan Jr. - have accounted for 1,258 (83%) of Louisiana's 1,520 yards rushing and 21 of 24 rushing TDs (88%) on the season.
• Seven different receivers have recorded 11 or more catches on the season with Russell Babineaux and Trenton Chaney leading the team with 17.
• Sixty-eight players on the current Ragin' Cajuns roster hail from the state of Louisiana.
• Ninety-three of Louisiana's 108 players on the 2026 roster were recruited as high school products, with the remaining 15 coming through the transfer portal or junior college.
• Former Louisiana Assistant O-Line coach Bryant Ross is the current O-Line coach for the Jags
• Seven players on the Louisiana roster are from the state of Alabama: Conor McPherson (Montgomery), Kevin Malone (Prichard), Edrick Williams (Daphne), Jai'Vale Mays-Hudson (Daphne), Michael Bowens Jr. (Brewton), Chase Howard (Mobile) and Ashton Wright (Mobile).
"SHOW ME MY OPPONENT"
• South Alabama is playing its fifth opponent from the state of Louisiana. The Jaguars have gone 2-2 against Southeastern (W), Tulane (L), ULM (W), and Louisiana Tech (L).
• The South Alabama offensive line was named to the Joe Moore Midseason Honor Roll on Oct. 14, which highlights the top offensive line units in the country. The Jags were the only Sun Belt school on the 25-team list and only one of five Group of 6 programs.
• The South Alabama offense exploded for 50-plus points in back-to-back games against ULM (52) and Arkansas State (56). The 56 points against Arkansas State was the most by the program in a Sun Belt league game.
• It was the third time South Alabama scored 50-plus in back-to-back games and the first time since scoring 55 in games against Southern Miss and ULM in 2023. The Jags' other time was during the 2009 season.
• South Alabama has scored on its opening possession in five of its seven games, including a touchdown in four of those contests.
• Keenan Phillips, PJ Martin and Trae'von Dunbar have combined for 1,423 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns this season. Against Louisiana Tech, Martin led the bunch with 82 yards on the ground and Phillips scored the lone rushing touchdown.
• Cole Blaylock leads South Alabama with 46 tackles, including 11 tackles at Kentucky and 10 at Arkansas State.
• The Jaguar defense has forced 11 turnovers, including two interceptions and a fumble recovery against Arkansas State. Masey Lewis, who recovered a fumble against ULM, had an interception and a forced fumble in the Arkansas State game.
• South Alabama has scored on 28 of its 31 trips to the red zone for an 90 percent clip.
THE SOUTH ALABAMA SERIES
• Louisiana and South Alabama meet on the gridiron for the 15th time in program history with the Cajuns holding a 10-4 lead.
• UL is 5-2 against the Jaguars in both Lafayette and Mobile.
• The last five meetings have seen the visiting team come away with a win, including Louisiana's 31-22 victory last season in Mobile.
• The last time the home team held serve was in 2020 when Louisiana claimed a 38-10 win.
GORDON NAMED THORPE AWARD SEMIFINALIST
• Louisiana defensive back Brent Gordon Jr. was one of 15 players nationally named as a semifinalist for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and Jim Thorpe Association announced.
• Gordon, a Breaux Bridge, La., native and former Cecilia High product, has recorded 46 tackles on the season with 5.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, 12 pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery through eight games for the Ragin' Cajuns.
• The list includes 15 of the nation's best defensive backs, representing six conferences and one independent university. The semifinalists are selected by a screening committee whose members compile a list of up to 15 players based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character.
TEAM NOTES
• The Cajuns have converted on 29 of 30 trips (.967) to the red zone with 22 resulting in TDs.
Louisiana quarterbacks are completing 67 percent of their passes to rank fourth in the Sun Belt Conference and 31st among FBS programs.
• The Ragin' Cajuns are second in the SBC in total defense, allowing 317.3 yards per game to rank 31st nationally.
• The Cajuns' 190.3 passing yards per game tops the Sun Belt Conference and ranks 38th in the country.
• The Ragin' Cajuns allow 21.3 points per game to rank 45th nationally and fourth in the SBC.
• Louisiana's 137 yards allowed against Charlotte on Sept. 26 currently ranks among the 10 fewest total yards allowed by an FBS team in a single game during the 2026 season.
• UL leads the Sun Belt Conference and is sixth nationally in average time of possession (33:33)
The Cajuns' 15 turnovers gained are second in the SBC and ninth among FBS programs.
• Louisiana is holding opponents to 7-for-22 (.318) on fourth down to rank 16th nationally.
• Louisiana's 347 yards in penalties are the fewest in the Sun Belt and 16th in FBS.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
• Lunch Winfield's 16.25 completions per game are sixth in the SBC.
• Winfield's nine rushing touchdowns on the season are 16th among all FBS players and tied with Southern Miss' Steven Robinson for the SBC lead.
• Winfield enters the South Alabama game seventh in the SBC in rushing yards (470).
• Winfield (90) and Tony Sterner (61) are fifth and 14th in the Sun Belt Conference in points responsible for.
• Sterner (61) and Winfield (54) are third and 10th in the SBC in points scored.
• Sterner leads the SBC and is 11th in the country in field goal percentage (.917).
• Brent Gordon Jr. leads all FBS players in passes defended per game (1.75).
• Micah Johnson's two fumble recoveries on the season are tied for first in the league and tied for fourth among FBS players.
EIGHT STRAIGHT BOWL GAMES
• Since the 2018 season, Louisiana has appeared in a bowl game, setting a school-record for most consecutive bowl appearances.
• The list of Louisiana bowl game appearances since 2018 is listed below:
2018 – AutoNation Cure Bowl (Tulane)
2019 – LendingTree Bowl (Miami [Ohio])
2020 – SERVPRO First Responder Bowl (UTSA)
2021 – R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl (Marshall)
2022 – Radiance Independence Bowl (Houston)
2023 – R+L Carrriers New Orleans Bowl (Jax State)
2024 – Isleta New Mexico Bowl (TCU)
2025 – 68 Ventures Bowl (Delaware)
THE LONGEST ACTIVE BOWL STREAKS
• Louisiana's eighth consecutive bowl appearance places the Ragin' Cajuns in some illustrious FBS company for active postseason streaks.
• Below are the schools with the longest active streaks in reaching the postseason.
School Year Started (Bowl)
Georgia – 1997 (Outback Bowl)
Oklahoma – 1999 (Independence Bowl)
Alabama – 2004 (Music City Bowl)
Clemson – 2005 (Champs Sports Bowl)
Iowa – 2013 (Outback Bowl)
Ohio State – 2013 (Orange Bowl)
Memphis – 2014 (Miami Beach Bowl)
Oregon – 2017 (Las Vegas Bowl)
LOUISIANA – 2018 (Cure Bowl)
THE MOST UNIQUE NICKNAME IN COLLEGIATE ATHLETICS
• Referred to as the Ragin' Cajuns, the University of Louisiana has perhaps the most unique and fitting nickname in all of collegiate athletics.
• In 1921, the University adopted the nickname and mascot Bulldogs.
• Beginning in 1963, Louisiana's (then Southwestern Louisiana) football team were dubbed the "Raging Cajuns" by then-Sports Information Director Bob Henderson and head football coach Russ Faulkinberry.
• In addition, the team switched from gold helmets to white helmets with an Acadian flag. At the time, more than 90 percent of Faulkinberry's teams were composed of Louisiana high school players, many with French-speaking Acadian backgrounds.
• The nickname stuck, and in 1967 the second 'g' was dropped to make Ragin'.
• In the early 70's other sports teams began to adopt the Ragin' Cajuns nickname.
• The University's full switch to Ragin' Cajuns was part of "Operation Turnaround" during the 1974-75 school year.
• In fact, the Ragin' Cajuns were voted as the best collegiate team nickname by Sporting News in 1998 and by an ESPN SportsNation survey in 2006.
Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.
The game will be available on ESPN+ with Dan McDonald (pxp), Steve Peloquin (color) and Ben Schafer (sideline) providing commentary. Fans can also listen on the Ragin' Cajuns Radio Network and Varsity Sports Network, with Jay Walker (pxp), Cody Junot (color) and Dawson Eiserloh (sideline) on the call.
Tickets are available and can be purchased through RaginCajuns.com.
Louisiana (5-3, 2-2 SBC) looks to extend its streak of achieving bowl eligibility to nine consecutive years – the ninth-longest active streak in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) – as it faces South Alabama (4-4, 2-2 SBC) for the 15th time. The Ragin' Cajuns hold a 10-4 lead in the series, with the road team claiming the last five meetings.
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).
GAME 9 PREVIEW – Louisiana (5-3, 2-2 SBC) vs. South Alabama (4-4, 2-2 SBC)
Location: Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium (30,932) | Lafayette, La.
Date/Time: Saturday, November 7 | 4:00 p.m.
TV/RADIO
TV: ESPN+
Talent: Dan McDonald (play-by-play), Steve Peloquin (analyst), Ben Schafer (sideline)
Radio: Lafayette – Hot 107.9 FM; 103.3 The Goat, 1420 AM; New Orleans/Slidell – WGSO 990 AM; Worldwide – Varsity Network powered by Learfield
Talent: Jay Walker (play-by-play), Cody Junot (analyst), Dawson Eiserloh (sideline)
TICKETS
Single-game tickets are available and can be purchased through RaginCajuns.com
LIVE STATS
Available at CajunStats.StatBroadcast.com
SERIES RECORD
Overall – Louisiana leads, 10-4
In Lafayette – Louisiana leads, 5-2
In Mobile – Louisiana leads, 5-2
Last 10 Meetings – Louisiana, 8-2
Streak – Louisiana +1
KICKING OFF
• Louisiana looks to achieve bowl eligibility for the ninth consecutive season when returns to action for the first time since October 24 when it hosts South Alabama in the annual "Louisiana Salutes" game.
LOUISIANA STORYLINES
• With his next victory, head coach Michael Desormeaux will move into sole possession of sixth place on the school's all-time list - and five wins behind his predecessor, Billy Napier, who won 40 games from 2018-21.
• Desormeaux is currently tied with Clement J. McNaspy (34 wins - 1908-11, 1913, 1917-18) on the program's all-time list.
• The Ragin' Cajuns return 41 letterwinners and 15 starters from the 2025 season.
• With a win, Louisiana will extend an eight-year active streak of competing in a bowl game, currently the ninth-longest streak in the FBS.
• The visiting team has secured the win in the last five meetings in the series dating back to 2020 (a 38-10 Louisiana win at Cajun Field).
• Redshirt freshman JJ Garner (Timpson, Texas) has scored a rushing touchdown in five consecutive games (Charlotte, Arkansas State, Louisiana Tech, Troy, Southern Miss).
• Four players - Lunch Winfield, JJ Garner, Steven Blanco, and Anthony Reagan Jr. - have accounted for 1,258 (83%) of Louisiana's 1,520 yards rushing and 21 of 24 rushing TDs (88%) on the season.
• Seven different receivers have recorded 11 or more catches on the season with Russell Babineaux and Trenton Chaney leading the team with 17.
• Sixty-eight players on the current Ragin' Cajuns roster hail from the state of Louisiana.
• Ninety-three of Louisiana's 108 players on the 2026 roster were recruited as high school products, with the remaining 15 coming through the transfer portal or junior college.
• Former Louisiana Assistant O-Line coach Bryant Ross is the current O-Line coach for the Jags
• Seven players on the Louisiana roster are from the state of Alabama: Conor McPherson (Montgomery), Kevin Malone (Prichard), Edrick Williams (Daphne), Jai'Vale Mays-Hudson (Daphne), Michael Bowens Jr. (Brewton), Chase Howard (Mobile) and Ashton Wright (Mobile).
"SHOW ME MY OPPONENT"
• South Alabama is playing its fifth opponent from the state of Louisiana. The Jaguars have gone 2-2 against Southeastern (W), Tulane (L), ULM (W), and Louisiana Tech (L).
• The South Alabama offensive line was named to the Joe Moore Midseason Honor Roll on Oct. 14, which highlights the top offensive line units in the country. The Jags were the only Sun Belt school on the 25-team list and only one of five Group of 6 programs.
• The South Alabama offense exploded for 50-plus points in back-to-back games against ULM (52) and Arkansas State (56). The 56 points against Arkansas State was the most by the program in a Sun Belt league game.
• It was the third time South Alabama scored 50-plus in back-to-back games and the first time since scoring 55 in games against Southern Miss and ULM in 2023. The Jags' other time was during the 2009 season.
• South Alabama has scored on its opening possession in five of its seven games, including a touchdown in four of those contests.
• Keenan Phillips, PJ Martin and Trae'von Dunbar have combined for 1,423 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns this season. Against Louisiana Tech, Martin led the bunch with 82 yards on the ground and Phillips scored the lone rushing touchdown.
• Cole Blaylock leads South Alabama with 46 tackles, including 11 tackles at Kentucky and 10 at Arkansas State.
• The Jaguar defense has forced 11 turnovers, including two interceptions and a fumble recovery against Arkansas State. Masey Lewis, who recovered a fumble against ULM, had an interception and a forced fumble in the Arkansas State game.
• South Alabama has scored on 28 of its 31 trips to the red zone for an 90 percent clip.
THE SOUTH ALABAMA SERIES
• Louisiana and South Alabama meet on the gridiron for the 15th time in program history with the Cajuns holding a 10-4 lead.
• UL is 5-2 against the Jaguars in both Lafayette and Mobile.
• The last five meetings have seen the visiting team come away with a win, including Louisiana's 31-22 victory last season in Mobile.
• The last time the home team held serve was in 2020 when Louisiana claimed a 38-10 win.
GORDON NAMED THORPE AWARD SEMIFINALIST
• Louisiana defensive back Brent Gordon Jr. was one of 15 players nationally named as a semifinalist for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and Jim Thorpe Association announced.
• Gordon, a Breaux Bridge, La., native and former Cecilia High product, has recorded 46 tackles on the season with 5.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, 12 pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery through eight games for the Ragin' Cajuns.
• The list includes 15 of the nation's best defensive backs, representing six conferences and one independent university. The semifinalists are selected by a screening committee whose members compile a list of up to 15 players based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character.
TEAM NOTES
• The Cajuns have converted on 29 of 30 trips (.967) to the red zone with 22 resulting in TDs.
Louisiana quarterbacks are completing 67 percent of their passes to rank fourth in the Sun Belt Conference and 31st among FBS programs.
• The Ragin' Cajuns are second in the SBC in total defense, allowing 317.3 yards per game to rank 31st nationally.
• The Cajuns' 190.3 passing yards per game tops the Sun Belt Conference and ranks 38th in the country.
• The Ragin' Cajuns allow 21.3 points per game to rank 45th nationally and fourth in the SBC.
• Louisiana's 137 yards allowed against Charlotte on Sept. 26 currently ranks among the 10 fewest total yards allowed by an FBS team in a single game during the 2026 season.
• UL leads the Sun Belt Conference and is sixth nationally in average time of possession (33:33)
The Cajuns' 15 turnovers gained are second in the SBC and ninth among FBS programs.
• Louisiana is holding opponents to 7-for-22 (.318) on fourth down to rank 16th nationally.
• Louisiana's 347 yards in penalties are the fewest in the Sun Belt and 16th in FBS.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
• Lunch Winfield's 16.25 completions per game are sixth in the SBC.
• Winfield's nine rushing touchdowns on the season are 16th among all FBS players and tied with Southern Miss' Steven Robinson for the SBC lead.
• Winfield enters the South Alabama game seventh in the SBC in rushing yards (470).
• Winfield (90) and Tony Sterner (61) are fifth and 14th in the Sun Belt Conference in points responsible for.
• Sterner (61) and Winfield (54) are third and 10th in the SBC in points scored.
• Sterner leads the SBC and is 11th in the country in field goal percentage (.917).
• Brent Gordon Jr. leads all FBS players in passes defended per game (1.75).
• Micah Johnson's two fumble recoveries on the season are tied for first in the league and tied for fourth among FBS players.
EIGHT STRAIGHT BOWL GAMES
• Since the 2018 season, Louisiana has appeared in a bowl game, setting a school-record for most consecutive bowl appearances.
• The list of Louisiana bowl game appearances since 2018 is listed below:
2018 – AutoNation Cure Bowl (Tulane)
2019 – LendingTree Bowl (Miami [Ohio])
2020 – SERVPRO First Responder Bowl (UTSA)
2021 – R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl (Marshall)
2022 – Radiance Independence Bowl (Houston)
2023 – R+L Carrriers New Orleans Bowl (Jax State)
2024 – Isleta New Mexico Bowl (TCU)
2025 – 68 Ventures Bowl (Delaware)
THE LONGEST ACTIVE BOWL STREAKS
• Louisiana's eighth consecutive bowl appearance places the Ragin' Cajuns in some illustrious FBS company for active postseason streaks.
• Below are the schools with the longest active streaks in reaching the postseason.
School Year Started (Bowl)
Georgia – 1997 (Outback Bowl)
Oklahoma – 1999 (Independence Bowl)
Alabama – 2004 (Music City Bowl)
Clemson – 2005 (Champs Sports Bowl)
Iowa – 2013 (Outback Bowl)
Ohio State – 2013 (Orange Bowl)
Memphis – 2014 (Miami Beach Bowl)
Oregon – 2017 (Las Vegas Bowl)
LOUISIANA – 2018 (Cure Bowl)
THE MOST UNIQUE NICKNAME IN COLLEGIATE ATHLETICS
• Referred to as the Ragin' Cajuns, the University of Louisiana has perhaps the most unique and fitting nickname in all of collegiate athletics.
• In 1921, the University adopted the nickname and mascot Bulldogs.
• Beginning in 1963, Louisiana's (then Southwestern Louisiana) football team were dubbed the "Raging Cajuns" by then-Sports Information Director Bob Henderson and head football coach Russ Faulkinberry.
• In addition, the team switched from gold helmets to white helmets with an Acadian flag. At the time, more than 90 percent of Faulkinberry's teams were composed of Louisiana high school players, many with French-speaking Acadian backgrounds.
• The nickname stuck, and in 1967 the second 'g' was dropped to make Ragin'.
• In the early 70's other sports teams began to adopt the Ragin' Cajuns nickname.
• The University's full switch to Ragin' Cajuns was part of "Operation Turnaround" during the 1974-75 school year.
• In fact, the Ragin' Cajuns were voted as the best collegiate team nickname by Sporting News in 1998 and by an ESPN SportsNation survey in 2006.
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