Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns
Sun Belt
Despite earning a share of the Sun Belt title, Louisiana had its eight-game winning streak snapped by Louisiana-Monroe. The Cajuns were not able to earn an outright title when they faced South Alabama to end the season. The team has accepted an invitation to the New Orleans Bowl, the third consecutive trip there. Both of those trips have ended in wins, so Louisiana will be looking for another win when it faces Tulane later this month.
2013 Record: 8-4. 5-2
Interim Head Coach: Mark Hudspeth
Coach Bowl Record: 2-0
Big Wins: 10/15 at Western Kentucky (37-20), 10/22 at Arkansas State (23-7)
Bad Losses: 11/30 Louisiana-Monroe (28-31), 12/7 South Alabama (8-30)
Strengths:
Louisiana-Lafayette's offense has been dynamic this year, especially in its eight-game winning streak. The Ragin' Cajuns averaged over 42 points per game in the streak and scored less than 28 points just once. Quarterback Terrence Broadway is ninth in the nation in yards per completion, with nearly 15 yards a catch. Alonzo Harris has been good on the ground as well, having rushed for 13 scores, which is 19th in the country. Justin Anderson has been an animal on defense for this year's Louisiana-Lafayette team. He is averaging over six solo tackles a game, which is ninth nationally and 15th nationally in total tackles a contest, with just over 10. If a person is looking for a team that is good at third down conversion percentage, this is the team to look at. The Cajuns are fourth in the country, converting on third down 55 percent of the time. They also hold onto the ball, having lost only six fumbles on the year.
Weaknesses:
One reason the offense has had to score so much is because the defense has been giving up a lot of points. Even during the record-setting winning streak, the defense allowed fewer than 20 points once. Included in that stretch are three games of giving up over 30 points. In the team's three losses, the fewest number of points they gave up was 31. The defense doesn't get much pressure on the opposing quarterbacks, averaging just over a sack and a half per game on the season. As good as Louisiana is on third down, it is just as bad on third down defense. Opposing teams are converting on 44 percent of their third downs, which is 94th in the country.
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Alonzo Harris, RB, 868 yards
Passing: Terrance Broadway, QB, 2,276 yards
Receiving: Jamal Robinson, WR, 812 yards
Tackles: Justin Anderson, LB, 123
Sacks: Justin Hamilton, DT, 3.0; Marvin Martin, DT, 3.0
Interceptions: Darius Barksdale, S, 2; T.J. Worthy, S, 2
2013 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 220.2 (20th in nation, 1st in conference)
Passing Offense: 223.5 (71, 5)
Total Offense: 443.7 (42, 3)
Scoring Offense: 37.0 (21, 1)
Rushing Defense: 151.4 (48, 2)
Pass Defense: 245.5 (86, 5)
Total Defense: 396.8 (60, 3)
Scoring Defense: 26.6 (63, 2)
Turnover Margin: 0.4 (37, 2)
Sacks: 1.64 (91, 5)
Sacks Allowed: 1.82 (52, 5)
Recent Bowl Appearances:
2012 New Orleans Bowl East Carolina (43-34)
2011 New Orleans Bowl San Diego State (32-30)
*all team stats through 11/30
