University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
2-1 , 0-0
UAB
1-2 , 0-0
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAB | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| Louisiana | 7 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
Louisiana Stands Tall Late to Secure Win Over UAB
9/19/2026 11:17:00 PM | Football
Cajuns build two-touchdown halftime lead, deliver key defensive stops in second half
The Ragin' Cajuns (2-1) built a 21-7 halftime lead and held off the Blazers (1-2) before an announced crowd of 18,216. Louisiana finished with a 335-218 advantage in total offense, including 225 rushing yards, and controlled possession for 35:23.
Louisiana limited UAB to 74 yards rushing and two conversions in 12 third-down attempts. The Blazers failed on all four fourth-down tries, including two in the final quarter as the Ragin' Cajuns protected their lead despite being held scoreless after halftime.
Winfield led UL with 91 yards on 19 carries and completed 15-of-20 passes for 110 yards. Steven Blanco added 55 yards and a touchdown on 11 attempts, while Anthony Reagan Jr. contributed 48 rushing yards.
Blanco capped Louisiana's opening 14-play possession with a 1-yard touchdown run at the 8:52 mark of the first quarter. Winfield extended the advantage to 14-0 with a 9-yard scoring run nine seconds into the second period.
UAB cut the margin in half when Chris Burge returned a fumble 13 yards for a touchdown with 7:56 remaining before halftime.
The Ragin' Cajuns answered late in the half, covering 75 yards in seven plays and just 1:09. Winfield finished the march with an 11-yard touchdown run with 44 seconds remaining, restoring Louisiana's two-touchdown cushion.
Micah Johnson stopped Braylon McReynolds for no gain on fourth-and-1 at the UL 4-yard line early in the fourth quarter. UAB later capitalized on a 42-yard punt return, pulling within 21-14 on Nate Rogers' 11-yard touchdown run with 8:59 left.
After a Louisiana fumble gave UAB another opportunity, Collin Jacob forced a Ryder Burton fumble on fourth-and-2 near midfield, resulting in a 16-yard loss and returning possession to the Ragin' Cajuns with 1:54 remaining. Blanco then converted fourth-and-1 with a 2-yard run, allowing Louisiana to run out the clock.
Conor McPherson paced the defense with 11 tackles, including two for loss and a sack. Jacob added six tackles, an interception and the pivotal forced fumble. Jake St. Andre and Maurion Eleam each recorded five tackles.
Landon Strother led Louisiana's receivers with five catches for 41 yards. Mason Golding averaged 41.7 yards on six punts, placing four inside the 20.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Louisiana has a road date with Charlotte on Saturday, September 26, meeting the 49ers at 5:30 p.m. (CDT) at Jerry Richardson Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The game, which marks the first time the two programs meet on the gridiron, will be available on ESPN+ and the Ragin' Cajuns Radio Network and Varsity Sports Network.
FOLLOW THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
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).
Single-game tickets are available for as low as $30 and can be purchased through RaginCajuns.com/Tickets.
-- RaginCajuns.com --
Players Mentioned
Team Stats
UAB 0, UL 7
UL - Blanco,Steven 1 yd run (Sterner,Tony kick), 13 plays, 80 yards, TOP 06:01
UAB 0, UL 14
UL - Winfield,Lunch 9 yd run (Sterner,Tony kick), 7 plays, 40 yards, TOP 02:21
UAB 7, UL 14
UAB - Burge,Chris 13 yd fumble recovery (Delange,Jonah kick)
UAB 7, UL 21
UL - Winfield,Lunch 11 yd run (Sterner,Tony kick), 7 plays, 75 yards, TOP 01:09
UAB 14, UL 21
UAB - Rogers,Nate 11 yd run (Delange,Jonah kick), 2 plays, 13 yards, TOP 00:39
