What the Cajuns must do to avoid upset to hungry Warhawks | UL Ragin’ Cajuns

1. Pass game again

That may sound like a broken record by now, but an offense and play-caller much more comfortable controlling the clock with a punishing rushing attack just doesn’t seem to have that luxury these days. Troy’s flooded the box and paid for it with a 323-yard passing day from quarterback Chandler Fields. But if UL’s backfield isn’t healthier this week, the Cajuns will have no choice but to lean heavily on the passing game again.

2. Content of the race

Look, if UL’s defense can find a way to shut down ULM’s running game, definitely go for it. But as good as ULM workhorse running back Ahmad Hardy has been this season with 1,179 yards and 12 touchdowns, the Cajuns’ defense would need only to avoid being mauled by Hardy to prevail. Along with that goal comes avoiding the temptation to be too aggressive against the run and get beat over the top by a wide receiver. Making the Warhawks earn their points is key.

3. Avoid turnovers

This match is about not opening a window of opportunity for the motivated Warhawks. In UL’s loss here two years ago, a botched punt played a crucial role in the Warhawks’ upset win. For some teams, it’s about a passing game that is good enough to take advantage of turnovers. In this case, a running back is more likely to be strong enough to keep the ball away from UL’s offense if turnovers occur, or even on normal drives for that matter.

4. Quick start

It’s no secret the Warhawks have lost five straight games since an encouraging 5-1 start. After UL beat Arkansas State 55-19, the first quarter the next week was a disaster. A week after beating Troy 51-30, it’s important that UL doesn’t give the Warhawks any reason to believe early. Sometimes it takes something to motivate the Cajuns, like Troy, who celebrated way too early last week, but there’s too much at stake in this one to relinquish that early momentum.

FORECAST

UL 37, ULM 17

Even as the Cajuns won the 2021 Sun Belt crown, ULM edged UL in a 21-16 Cajuns’ win at Cajun Field. Perceptions aside, this series is full of barnburners. While it’s certainly possible that injuries at running back and in the secondary will prove too impactful for UL to handle for the Warhawks, this team has developed a pretty good tendency to respond to challenges. On the line is a trip to the Sun Belt championship game and possibly hosting that game. A win would also result in the first undefeated road season in school history. UL coach Michael Desormeaux said he challenged his team to play extra hard in this contest with so much at stake. Last week he took the receivers to task and that group responded. The carrot dangles for the Cajuns to grab.

ULM (5-6, 3-4)

Urgent offense (per) 169.9

Passing 131.7

Rushing Defense 198.0

Pass defense 183.5

Third down conversions 30.7

Third down defense 43-3

Turnover margin Minus-1

Penalties (per) 44.0

Leaders

Passed

Aidan Armenta 89-159-7, 1124 yds, 8 TDs

Hating

Ahmad Hardy 209-1179, 12 TDs

James Jones 76-331, 1 TD

Taven Curry 32-153, 0 TD

Receiver

Jake Godfrey 22-259, 2 TDs

Davon Wells 27-259, 2 TDs

Javon Campbell 7-176, 1 TD

Tyler Griffin 6-156, 0 TD

Defense

Wydett Williams 91 tackles, 3 ints, 2 FRs

Carl Glass 76 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 3 FFs

Travor Randle 58 tackles, 6 PBUs

Schedule

August

29 Jackson State, W 30-14

September

7 UAB, W 32-6

21 in Texas, L 51-3

28 at Troy, W 13-9

October

5 James Madison, W 21-19

12 South Miss, W 38-21

26 at South Alabama, L 46-17

November

2 in Marshall, L 28-23

9 Texas State, L 38-17

16 at Auburn, L 48-14

23 at Arkansas State, L 28-21

30 Louisiana, at 11 a.m

CAJUNS (9-2, 6-1)

Rushing offense 176.8

Passed offense 272.7

Rushing defense 151.4

Passing Defense 191.0

Third down conversions 45.8

Third down defense 44.5

Turnover margin Plus-11

Penalties 46.3

Leaders

Passed

Chandler Fields 24-29-0, 282 yds, 1 TD

Hating

Bill Davis 133-699, 8 TDs

Zylan Perry 76-471, 2 TDs

Dre’lyn Washington 65-459, 5 TDs

Receiver

Lance LeGendre 40-699, 5 TDs

Terrance Carter 46-662, 4 TDs

Harvey Broussard 25-374, 3 TDs

Jacob Bernard 23-302, 0 TD

Defense

KC Ossai 90 tackles, 3 PBUs, 2 hurries

Carmycah Glass 63 tackles, 2 hurries

Tyrone Lewis 55 tackles, 4 ints, 2 PBUs

Keyon Martin 40 tackles, 5 PBUs, 2 ints

Schedule

August

31 Grambling, W 40-10

September

7 at Kennesaw State, W 34-10

21 Tulane, L 41-33

28 At Wake Forest, W 41-38

October

5 At Southern Miss, W 23-13

12 Appalachian State, W 34-24

19 At Coastal Carolina, W 34-24

29 at Texas State, W 23-17

November

9 Arkansas State, W 55-19

16 South Alabama, L 24-22

23 Troy, 4 p.m

30 at UL Monroe, at 11 a.m