2021 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team

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2021 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns wordmark.svg
Sun Belt champion
Sun Belt West Division champion
New Orleans Bowl champion
Sun Belt Championship Game, W 24–16 vs. Appalachian State
New Orleans Bowl, W 36–21 vs. Marshall
ConferenceSun Belt Conference
DivisionWest Division
Ranking
CoachesNo. 17
APNo. 16
CFPNo. 23
2021 record13–1 (8–0 Sun Belt)
Head coach
Co-offensive coordinatorMichael Desormeaux (1st season)
Co-offensive coordinatorTim Leger (1st season)
Defensive coordinatorPatrick Toney (2nd season)
Home stadiumCajun Field
(Capacity: 41,426)
Seasons
← 2020
2022 →
2021 Sun Belt Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
East Division
Appalachian State xy   7 1     10 4  
Georgia State   6 2     8 5  
Coastal Carolina   6 2     11 2  
Troy   3 5     5 7  
Georgia Southern   2 6     3 9  
West Division
No. 23 Louisiana xy$   8 0     13 1  
Texas State   3 5     4 8  
Louisiana–Monroe   2 6     4 8  
South Alabama   2 6     5 7  
Arkansas State   1 7     2 10  
Championship: Louisiana 24, Appalachian State 16
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
As of December 26, 2021; Rankings from CFP Ranking

The 2021 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team represented the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Ragin' Cajuns played their home games at Cajun Field in Lafayette, Louisiana, and compete in the West Division of the Sun Belt Conference. They were led by fourth-year head coach Billy Napier. The Cajuns began the season with an away matchup against Big 12's Texas and concluded their regular season at conference and in-state rival Louisiana–Monroe.

Napier was named the head coach of the Florida Gators on November 28. He announced that he would coach in the Sun Belt Championship Game on December 4 before departing. Napier led the Ragin’ Cajuns to their first outright Sun Belt championship win, defeating the Appalachian State Mountaineers, and left the Ragin’ Cajuns on a victorious note. On December 5, the same date as Napier's departure, Louisiana announced that then-offensive coordinator Michael Desormeaux would be promoted to head coach for the team's bowl game and the 2022 season. In his first game, Desormeaux defeated Marshall in the 2021 New Orleans Bowl.

Previous season[]

The Ragin' Cajuns finished the 2020 season 10–1, 7–1 in Sun Belt play to finish in first place in the West Division for the third consecutive year in the Sun Belt Conference and Conference Co-Champions in arguably the best finish in the history of the program. The win over Iowa State marked the first victory against a ranked team on the road in team history, the second victory ever against a ranked team, and the highest ranked team ever defeated.[1] The following week, the Cajuns were nationally ranked for the first time since the 1940s, reaching 19th in the AP Poll.[2] During their Week 2 overtime victory against Georgia State, the Cajuns secured their first victory in overtime since the 2005 conference matchup against the Troy Trojans.[3] During Week 14, Louisiana was ranked for the first time ever in the College Football Playoff rankings, at No. 25. This was also the first time the Cajuns had been ranked in the three major college football rankings (No. in the 20 AP Poll, No. 21 in the Coaches Poll, and No. 25 in the CFP rankings).[4] During Week 14, the Cajuns defeated Appalachian State for the first time in school history, bringing their all-time record against the Mountaineers to 1–8.[5]

The Cajuns ended their season by defeating the UTSA Roadrunners in the 2020 First Responder Bowl. Senior RB Elijah Mitchell earned the bowl game MVP. This also marked the first time a Sun Belt team took part in that bowl game.

Shortly before the season began, Offensive Line Assistant Coach D. J. Looney, 31, died of a heart attack while at practice on August 1, 2020.[6] He was honored at the Week 9 matchup against UAB in his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, where players all wore Looney's name on their jerseys.

Preseason[]

Recruiting class[]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40 Commit date
Clinton Anokwuru
OLB
Richmond, TX Fort Bend Bush HS
Kansas
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 224 lb (102 kg) Feb 3, 2021 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Key'Savalyn Barnes
CB
Logansport, LA Logansport HS 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 188 lb (85 kg) Dec 16, 2020 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Jathan Caldwell
TE
Dickinson, TX Dickinson HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 214 lb (97 kg) Feb 3, 2021 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Cejae Ceasar
S
Iowa, LA Iowa HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 187 lb (85 kg) Dec 16, 2020 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Jalen Clark
S
New Orleans, LA Alabama Christian 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Feb 3, 2021 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
T. J. Fiailoa
OL
Lawton, OK MacArthur HS
Louisiana–Monroe
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Feb 3, 2021 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Kendre' Gant
ILB
Port St. Joe, FL Port St. Joe HS
Independence CC
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 290 lb (130 kg) Dec 16, 2020 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Cameron George
OLB
Lafayette, LA Acadiana HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 236 lb (107 kg) Feb 3, 2021 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Hunter Herring
QB
West Monroe, LA Ouachita Christian HS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 201 lb (91 kg) Dec 16, 2020 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
George Jackson
OL
Stone Mountain, GA Stephenson HS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 325 lb (147 kg) Feb 3, 2021 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Montrell Johnson
RB
New Orleans, LA De La Salle HS 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Feb 3, 2021 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Lance Legendre
QB
New Orleans, LA Warren Easton HS
Maryland
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Feb 3, 2021 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
Tyrone Lewis, Jr.
S
Hammond, LA Hammond HS
Kansas State
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Dec 16, 2020 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Mackey Maillho
OL
Covington, LA Mandeville HS 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 353 lb (160 kg) Dec 16, 2020 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Zy McDonald
QB
Ridgeland, MS Ridgeland HS 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 183 lb (83 kg) Dec 16, 2020 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
K. C. Ossai
ILB
Conroe, TX Oak Ridge HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 223 lb (101 kg) Feb 3, 2021 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Ja'Marian Peterson
OLB
New Orleans, LA De La Salle HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 235 lb (107 kg) Feb 3, 2021 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
John Stephens, Jr.
WR
Logansport, LA Logansport HS
TCU
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 226 lb (103 kg) Dec 16, 2020 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Dre'lyn Washington
RB
Hemphill, TX Hemphill HS 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Dec 16, 2020 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Cameron Whitfield
OLB
Houston, TX Dawson HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 245 lb (111 kg) Dec 16, 2020 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Kendrell Williams
RB
Carencro, LA Carencro HS 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 191 lb (87 kg) Feb 3, 2021 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Robert Williams
WR
Humble, TX Trinity Christian HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 170 lb (77 kg) Dec 16, 2020 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Terrence Williams
ATH
Many, LA Many HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 214 lb (97 kg) Feb 3, 2021 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars

Source:[7]

Award watch lists[]

Listed in the order that they were released

Preseason[]

Award Player Position Year
Maxwell Award Levi Lewis QB SR
Chuck Bednarik Award Bralen Trahan S RS-JR
Davey O'Brien Award Levi Lewis QB SR
Doak Walker Award Chris Smith RB RS-SO
Rimington Trophy Shane Vallot C RS-JR
Allstate AFCA Good Works Team Levi Lewis QB SR
Mackey Award Johnny Lumpkin TE RS-JR
Bronko Nargurski Trophy Bralen Trahan S RS-JR
Outland Trophy O'Cyrus Torrence OL SO
Ray Guy Award Rhys Byrns P JR
Wuerffel Trophy Levi Lewis QB SR
Paul Hornung Award Chris Smith RB RS-SO
College Football Performer of the Year Levi Lewis QB SR
Manning Award Levi Lewis QB SR
Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Ken Marks OL RS-SR

Sources:[8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]

Sun Belt coaches poll[]

The Sun Belt coaches poll was released on July 20, 2021. The Cajuns were picked to finish first in the West Division and first in the conference.[23]

West Division
Predicted finish Team Votes
1 Louisiana 49 (9)
2 Arkansas State 38 (1)
3 South Alabama 27
4 Texas State 25
5 Louisiana–Monroe 11
East Division
Predicted finish Team Votes
T1 Coastal Carolina 44 (6)
T1 Appalachian State 44 (4)
3 Georgia State 24
4 Georgia Southern 20
5 Troy 18

Sun Belt Preseason All-Conference teams[]

Personnel[]

2021 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
RB 0 Jacob Kibodi Redshirt.svg Jr
QB 1 Levi Lewis Sr
WR 2 Kyren Lacy Fr
WR 3 Golden Eke Redshirt.svg So
WR 4 Cassius Allen Redshirt.svg So
WR 6 Errol Rogers Jr. Fr
WR 7 Brian Smith Jr. Redshirt.svg Sr
WR 8 John Stephens Jr. Jr
QB 8 Zy McDonald Fr
QB 9 Lance Legendre Redshirt.svg Fr
QB 10 Ben Wooldridge Redshirt.svg So
WR 11 Calif Gossett Sr
WR 13 Dalen Cambre Redshirt.svg Fr
QB 15 Hunter Herring Fr
QB 16 Chandler Fields Redshirt.svg Fr
WR 17 Dontae Fleming Fr
WR 18 Jalen Williams Redshirt.svg Sr
WR 19 Jamal Bell Sr
RB 20 Emani Bailey Fr
RB 21 Chris Smith Redshirt.svg So
RB 23 T. J. Wisham Redshirt.svg Jr
TE 24 Pearse Migl Redshirt.svg So
WR 25 Quincy Curry Fr
WR 26 Kaleb Carter Redshirt.svg So
WR 27 Trevor Russell Redshirt.svg Jr
QB 28 Luke Bogan Fr
WR 29 Peter LeBlanc So
RB 30 Jordan Griffin Redshirt.svg So
RB 31 Michael Orphey Jr. Redshirt.svg So
WR 33 Pat Hughes Redshirt.svg Jr
RB 34 Mike Martin Fr
RB 37 Tyreese Jackson Redshirt.svg Fr
WR 38 Da'Jon Bonnee Redshirt.svg Fr
TE 41 Joe Lombardi Jr. Fr
TE 44 Christian Sabatini Fr
OL 50 Nathan Thomas Redshirt.svg Fr
OL 53 AJ Gillie Redshirt.svg Fr
OL 54 Tyler Brown Redshirt.svg Fr
OL 55 Landon Burton Redshirt.svg Fr
OL 58 O'Cyrus Torrence So
OL 64 Shane Vallot Redshirt.svg Jr
OL 65 Carlos Rubio Redshirt.svg Jr
OL 67 Ken Marks Redshirt.svg Sr
OL 68 T. J. Fiailoa Redshirt.svg Jr
OL 70 Jax Harrington Redshirt.svg Fr
OL 71 George Jackson Fr
OL 73 David Hudson Redshirt.svg Jr
OL 74 Max Mitchell Jr
OL 76 Matthew Anderson Redshirt.svg Fr
OL 77 King McGowen Redshirt.svg Fr
OL 78 Luke Junkunc Redshirt.svg So
OL 79 Logan Newell Redshirt.svg Fr
WR 80 Devon Pauley Redshirt.svg So
TE 82 Rhett Guidry Fr
TE 83 Damani Burrell Redshirt.svg So
WR 84 Leroy Franklin Redshirt.svg Sr
WR 85 Noah McCollum Fr
WR 86 Jacob Bernard Redshirt.svg Fr
TE 87 Neal Johnson So
TE 88 Johnny Lumpkin Redshirt.svg Jr
TE 89 Hunter Bergeron Redshirt.svg Jr
Defense
Pos. # Name Class
S 0 Kam Pedescleaux Redshirt.svg So
LB 2 Lorenzo McCaskill Redshirt.svg Jr
S 3 Tyrone Lewis Jr. Redshirt.svg Fr
DL 4 Zi'Yon Hill Redshirt.svg Jr
LB 6 Kris Moncrief Jr
LB 7 Ferrod Gardner Redshirt.svg Sr
DL 8 Kendall Wilkerson So
S 9 Percy Butler Jr
LB 10 Andre Jones Redshirt.svg Jr
CB 11 Caleb Anderson Fr
S 13 Patrick Mensah Redshirt.svg So
LB 15 Ja'Marian Peterson Fr
CB 16 AJ Washington Jr
LB 17 Chauncey Manac Redshirt.svg Sr
CB 18 Bobby Holmes Redshirt.svg Fr
CB 19 Eric Garror Jr
CB 20 Mekhi Garner Redshirt.svg So
CB 21 Trey Amos Fr
CB 22 Amir McDaniel Redshirt.svg Fr
CB 22 Jayrin Wilson Redshirt.svg Jr
CB 23 Courtline Flowers Fr
S 24 Bralen Trahan Redshirt.svg Jr
S 25 Brandon Bishop Redshirt.svg So
S 26 Blair Brooks Redshirt.svg Sr
S 27 Cameron Solomon Redshirt.svg Sr
S 28 Ja'Len Johnson Redshirt.svg Jr
CB 29 Korian Wilson Fr
S 30 Grid Isidore Jr. Redshirt.svg Jr
S 31 Tyree Skipper Fr
LB 33 Tyler Guidry So
S 34 Scottie Johnson Fr
LB 35 Ahmad Johnson Fr
LB 36 Clinton Anokwuru Fr
LB 38 Jasper Williams So
CB 39 Dabari Hawkins Fr
LB 40 Anthony Jordan Jr
S 41 Ty'Darien Quinney Redshirt.svg Fr
LB 43 Jourdon Quibodeaux Redshirt.svg Jr
LB 44 Tanner Wiggins Redshirt.svg Jr
LB 45 Caleb Kibodi Fr
DL 46 Jordan Lawson Fr
LB 48 Troy Krutchen Redshirt.svg Jr
DL 51 Lakeidrick George Jr. Redshirt.svg So
LB 52 Bralyn Richardson Fr
LB 80 Alex Self Redshirt.svg Fr
DL 90 Mason Narcisse Fr
DL 91 Sonny Hazard Fr
DL 92 Dominique Ratcliff Fr
DL 94 Dalvin Hutchinson So
LB 95 Andre Riley Redshirt.svg So
DL 96 Malcolm Rollins Redshirt.svg Jr
DL 97 Ja'Quane Nelson Redshirt.svg Jr
DL 98 Andre Landry Redshirt.svg Jr
DL 99 Tayland Humphrey Redshirt.svg Sr
Special teams
Pos. # Name Class
K 36 Nate Snyder Redshirt.svg Sr
K 40 Logan Klotz Fr
K 45 Kenneth Almendares Redshirt.svg So
P 47 Rhys Byrns Jr
LS 49 Paul Boudreaux Redshirt.svg Jr
LS 52 James Segrest Fr
K 84 Thomas Leo Redshirt.svg So
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
  • Michael Desormeaux (Louisiana)
    Co-Offensive Coordinator/TE
  • Tim Leger (McNeese State)
    Co-Offensive Coordinator/Recruiting Coordinator/WR
  • Patrick Toney (Southeastern Louisiana)
    Defensive Coordinator/OLB
  • Chris Couch (Georgia Southern)
    Special Teams Coordinator
  • Jabbar Juluke (Southern)
    Running Backs
  • Tim Leger (McNeese State)
    Recruiting Coordinator/WR
  • Rory Segrest (Alabama)
    Defensive Line
  • Jeff Burris (Notre Dame)
    Cornerbacks
  • Galen Scott (Illinois State)
    Inside Linebackers
  • Jeff Norrid (Arkansas)
    Offensive Linemen
  • Darnell Stapleton (Rutgers)
    Assistant OL
  • Wes Neighbors (Alabama)
    Safeties

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt Redshirt

Roster
Last update: 22 April 2021

Schedule[]

The 2021 schedule consists of 6 home and 6 away games in the regular season. The Ragin' Cajuns will travel to Sun Belt foes Georgia Southern, South Alabama, Arkansas State, and Troy. The Cajuns will play host to Sun Belt foes Appalachian State, Texas State, Georgia State, and Louisiana–Monroe.

The Ragin' Cajuns will host two of the three non-conference opponents at Cajun Field, Nicholls, from NCAA Division I FCS and Ohio of the Mid-American Conference, and will travel to Texas of the Big 12 and Liberty, a FBS Independent.

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 43:30 p.m.at No. 21 Texas*No. 23FOXL 18–3891,113
September 116:00 p.m.Nicholls*
  • Cajun Field
  • Lafayette, LA
ESPN3W 27–2425,417
September 167:00 p.m.Ohio*
  • Cajun Field
  • Lafayette, LA
ESPNW 49–1417,709
September 255:00 p.m.at Georgia Southern
  • Paulson Stadium
  • Statesboro, GA
ESPN+W 28–2017,522
October 27:00 p.m.at South AlabamaESPN+W 20–1816,764
October 126:30 p.m.Appalachian State
  • Cajun Field
  • Lafayette, LA
ESPN2W 41–1320,066
October 216:30 p.m.at Arkansas StateESPNUW 28–277,138
October 3011:00 a.m.Texas Statedagger
  • Cajun Field
  • Lafayette, LA
ESPNUW 45–028,794
November 46:30 p.m.Georgia State
  • Cajun Field
  • Lafayette, LA
ESPNW 21–1716,007
November 132:30 p.m.at Troy
  • Veterans Memorial Stadium
  • Troy, AL
ESPN+W 35–2124,738
November 203:00 p.m.at Liberty*
ESPNUW 42–1415,564
November 273:00 p.m.Louisiana–Monroe
  • Cajun Field
  • Lafayette, LA (Battle on the Bayou)
ESPNUW 21–1618,447
December 42:30 p.m.Appalachian StateNo. 24
ESPNW 24–1631,014
December 188:15 p.m.vs. Marshall*No. 23
ESPNW 36–2121,642
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll (and CFP Rankings, after November 2) - Released prior to game
  • All times are in Central time

[24][25]

Game summaries[]

at Texas[]

Louisiana at Texas
1 234Total
No. 23 Ragin' Cajuns 3 363 15
No. 21 Longhorns 7 71410 38
  • Date: September 4, 2021
  • Location: Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium
    Austin, TX
  • Game start: 3:35 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 23 minutes
  • Game attendance: 91,113
  • Game weather: Sunny
  • Referee: Tuta Salaam
  • TV announcers (FOX): Tim Brando (play-by-play) and Spencer Tillman (analyst)
      
Pregame line Over/under
UT –8.5 58
Statistics Louisiana Texas
First downs 22 21
Total yards 358 435
Rushing yards 76 170
Passing yards 282 265
Turnovers 1 0
Time of possession 26:47 33:13
Team Category Player Statistics
Louisiana Passing Levi Lewis 28/40, 282 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Chris Smith 11 carries, 54 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Jalen Williams 5 receptions, 71 yards
Texas Passing Hudson Card 14/21, 224 yards, 2 TDs
Rushing Bijan Robinson 20 carries, 103 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Jordan Whittington 7 receptions, 113 yards, 1 TD


Nicholls[]

Nicholls at Louisiana
1 234Total
RV (FCS) Colonels 7 3014 24
RV Ragin' Cajuns 10 773 27
  • Date: September 11, 2021
  • Location: Cajun Field
    Lafayette, LA
  • Game start: 6:04 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 15 minutes
  • Game attendance: 25,417
  • Game weather: 85 °F (29 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: NE 5 MPH
  • Referee: Trennis Livingston
  • TV announcers (ESPN3): Dan McDonald (play–by–play) and Scott Brazda (analyst)
     
Pregame line Over/under
LA –26.0 65
Statistics Nicholls Louisiana
First downs 24 20
Total yards 511 417
Rushing yards 152 113
Passing yards 359 304
Turnovers 1 1
Time of possession 33:12 26:48
Team Category Player Statistics
Nicholls Passing Lindsey Scott Jr. 26/37, 359 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing Lindsey Scott Jr. 18 carries, 121 yards
Receiving Dai'Jean Dixon 14 receptions, 198 yards, 2 TDs
Louisiana Passing Levi Lewis 19/33, 304 yards, 2 TDs
Rushing Chris Smith 11 carries, 46 yards
Receiving Michael Jefferson 3 receptions, 84 yards, 1 TD


Ohio[]

Ohio at Louisiana
1 234Total
Bobcats 0 770 14
Ragin' Cajuns 7 14721 49
  • Date: September 18, 2021
  • Location: Cajun Field
    Lafayette, LA
  • Game start: 7:05 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 32 minutes
  • Game attendance: 17,709
  • Game weather: 79 °F (26 °C) • Weather: Cloudy • Wind: S 9 MPH
  • Referee: Wayne Winkler
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Matt Barrie (play–by–play), Roddy Jones (analyst), and Harry Lyles Jr. (sideline reporter)
     
Pregame line Over/under
LA –19.0 57
Statistics Ohio Louisiana
First downs 17 33
Total yards 250 562
Rushing yards 112 312
Passing yards 138 250
Turnovers 1 1
Time of possession 26:46 33:14
Team Category Player Statistics
Ohio Passing Kurtis Rourke 12/22, 122 yards, 2 TDs
Rushing A Rogers 7 carries, 58 yards
Receiving Ty Walton 5 receptions, 50 yards, 1 TD
Louisiana Passing Levi Lewis 21/29, 212 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Montrell Johnson 13 carries, 84 yards, 4 TDs
Receiving Kaleb Carter 3 receptions, 51 yards


at Georgia Southern[]

Louisiana at Georgia Southern
1 234Total
Ragin' Cajuns 0 14140 28
Eagles 7 607 20
  • Date: September 25, 2021
  • Location: Paulson Stadium
    Statesboro, GA
  • Game start: 5:03 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 29 minutes
  • Game attendance: 17,522
  • Game weather: 59 °F (15 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: NW 3 MPH
  • Referee: Kyle Olson
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Matt Stewart (play–by–play) and Danny Waugh (analyst)
   
Pregame line Over/under
LA –14.5 55
Statistics Louisiana Georgia Southern
First downs 18 23
Total yards 378 453
Rushing yards 129 278
Passing yards 249 175
Turnovers 0 1
Time of possession 27:11 32:49
Team Category Player Statistics
Louisiana Passing Levi Lewis 17/28, 249 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing Montrell Johnson 13 carries, 61 yards
Receiving Dontae Fleming 4 receptions, 70 yards, 1 TD
Georgia Southern Passing Justin Tomlin 11/24, 175 yards, 1 INT
Rushing Gerald Green 18 carries, 186 yards, 3 TDs
Receiving Logan Wright 4 receptions, 85 yards


at South Alabama[]

Louisiana at South Alabama
1 234Total
Ragin' Cajuns 14 600 20
Jaguars 0 666 18
  • Date: October 2, 2021
  • Location: Hancock Whitney Stadium
    Mobile, AL
  • Game start: 7:00 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 11 minutes
  • Game attendance: 16,764
  • Game weather: Rainy • Wind: SE 6 MPH
  • Referee: Marshall Lewis
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): J. D. Byars (play–by–play) and Pat Greenwood (analyst)
  
Pregame line Over/under
LA –12.0 53
Statistics Louisiana South Alabama
First downs 17 18
Total yards 283 387
Rushing yards 225 144
Passing yards 58 243
Turnovers 1 0
Time of possession 23:13 36:47
Team Category Player Statistics
Louisiana Passing Levi Lewis 9/20, 49 yards
Rushing Emani Bailey 7 carries, 81 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Neal Johnson 1 reception, 18 yards
South Alabama Passing Jake Bentley 19/29, 243 yards
Rushing Bryan Hill 22 carries, 81 yards, 2 TDs
Receiving Jalen Tolbert 6 receptions, 143 yards


Appalachian State[]

Appalachian State at Louisiana
1 234Total
RV Mountaineers 3 370 13
Ragin' Cajuns 20 0714 41
  • Date: October 12, 2021
  • Location: Cajun Field
    Lafayette, LA
  • Game start: 6:35 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 19 minutes
  • Game attendance: 20,066
  • Game weather: 84 °F (29 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: S 9 MPH
  • Referee: Jeremy Parker
  • TV announcers (ESPN2): Chris Cotter (play-by-play) and Cole Cubelic (analyst)
     
Pregame line Over/under
APP –4.0 58
Statistics Appalachian State Louisiana
First downs 15 23
Total yards 211 455
Rushing yards 78 246
Passing yards 133 209
Turnovers 4 1
Time of possession 23:28 36:32
Team Category Player Statistics
Appalachian State Passing Chase Brice 15/26, 133 yards, 2 INTs
Rushing Nate Noel 17 carries, 44 yards
Receiving Malik Williams 6 receptions, 38 yards
Louisiana Passing Levi Lewis 15/25, 209 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Montrell Johnson 14 carries, 103 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Kyren Lacy 2 receptions, 57 yards, 1 TD


at Arkansas State[]

Louisiana at Arkansas State
1 234Total
RV Ragin' Cajuns 0 14140 28
Red Wolves 0 10170 27
  • Date: October 21, 2021
  • Location: Centennial Bank Stadium
    Jonesboro, AR
  • Game start: 6:33 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 30 minutes
  • Game attendance: 7,138
  • Game weather: 68 °F (20 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: NW 8 MPH
  • Referee: Kyle Olson
  • TV announcers (ESPNU): Lowell Galindo (play–by–play) and Rene Ingoglia (analyst)
       
Pregame line Over/under
LA –18.0 70
Statistics Louisiana Arkansas State
First downs 26 22
Total yards 546 413
Rushing yards 424 113
Passing yards 122 300
Turnovers 2 0
Time of possession 32:47 27:13
Team Category Player Statistics
Louisiana Passing Levi Lewis 11/20, 122 yards, 1 INT
Rushing Chris Smith 24 carries, 238 yards, 2 TDs
Receiving Dontae Fleming 2 receptions, 47 yards
Arkansas State Passing Layne Hatcher 16/31, 300 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing Lincoln Pare 11 carries, 52 yards
Receiving Te'Vailance Hunt 3 receptions, 83 yards, 1 TD


Texas State[]

Texas State at Louisiana
1 234Total
Bobcats 0 000 0
RV Ragin' Cajuns 0 171810 45
  • Date: October 30, 2021
  • Location: Cajun Field
    Lafayette, LA
  • Game start: 11:02 a.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 5 minutes
  • Game attendance: 28,794
  • Game weather: 65 °F (18 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: NW 9 MPH
  • Referee: Trennis Livingston
  • TV announcers (ESPNU): Kevin Brown (play–by–play) and Hutson Mason (analyst)
     
Pregame line Over/under
LA –21.0 58
Statistics Texas State Louisiana
First downs 10 24
Total yards 205 425
Rushing yards 163 165
Passing yards 42 260
Turnovers 3 0
Time of possession 28:47 31:13
Team Category Player Statistics
Texas State Passing Tyler Vitt 6/13, 42 yards, 1 INT
Rushing Tyler Vitt 15 carries, 94 yards
Receiving Marcell Barbee 1 reception, 17 yards
Louisiana Passing Levi Lewis 22/32, 228 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing Chris Smith 9 carries, 70 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Errol Rogers Jr. 3 receptions, 44 yards


Georgia State[]

Georgia State at Louisiana
1 234Total
Panthers 3 077 17
Ragin' Cajuns 0 0714 21
  • Date: November 4, 2021
  • Location: Cajun Field
    Lafayette, LA
  • Game start: 6:36 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 7 minutes
  • Game attendance: 16,007
  • Game weather: 54 °F (12 °C) • Weather: Cloudy • Wind: N 11 MPH
  • Referee: Marshall Lewis
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Matt Barrie (play–by–play), Roddy Jones (analyst) and Alex Chappell (sideline reporter)
   
Pregame line Over/under
LA –13.5 54
Statistics Georgia State Louisiana
First downs 20 21
Total yards 307 430
Rushing yards 209 143
Passing yards 98 287
Turnovers 0 1
Time of possession 28:46 31:14
Team Category Player Statistics
Georgia State Passing Darren Grainger 8/19, 98 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Tucker Gregg 23 carries, 99 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Roger Carter 3 receptions, 76 yards, 1 TD
Louisiana Passing Levi Lewis 19/34, 287 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Montrell Johnson 17 carries, 98 yards, 2 TDs
Receiving Peter LeBlanc 9 receptions, 118 yards, 1 TD


at Troy[]

Louisiana at Troy
1 234Total
Ragin' Cajuns 14 0147 35
Trojans 10 308 21
  • Date: November 13, 2021
  • Location: Veterans Memorial Stadium
    Troy, AL
  • Game start: 2:35 p.m. CST
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 34 minutes
  • Game attendance: 24,738
  • Game weather: 59 °F (15 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: SE 11 MPH
  • Referee: Kyle Olson
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Will Kollmeyer (play–by–play) and Ben Stanfield (analyst)
     
Pregame line Over/under
LA –6.5 48.0
Statistics Louisiana Troy
First downs 19 22
Total yards 370 391
Rushing yards 204 41
Passing yards 166 350
Turnovers 0 3
Time of possession 31:56 28:04
Team Category Player Statistics
Louisiana Passing Levi Lewis 14/22, 166 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing Chris Smith 15 carries, 102 yards
Receiving Michael Jefferson 2 receptions, 71 yards, 1 TD
Troy Passing Gunnar Watson 29/55, 350 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Kimani Vidal 11 carries, 21 yards
Receiving Tez Johnson 6 receptions, 83 yards, 1 TD


at Liberty[]

Louisiana at Liberty
1 234Total
Ragin' Cajuns 7 14714 42
Flames 0 770 14
  • Date: November 20, 2021
  • Location: Williams Stadium
    Lynchburg, VA
  • Game start: 3:02 p.m. CST
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 20 minutes
  • Game attendance: 15,564
  • Game weather: 48 °F (9 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: S 3 MPH
  • Referee: Wayne Winkler
  • TV announcers (ESPNU): Kevin Brown (play–by–play) and Hutson Mason (analyst)
    
Pregame line Over/under
LIB –4.0 53.5
Statistics Louisiana Liberty
First downs 17 16
Total yards 296 293
Rushing yards 130 87
Passing yards 166 206
Turnovers 0 6
Time of possession 30:49 28:01
Team Category Player Statistics
Louisiana Passing Levi Lewis 14/25, 166 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing Emani Bailey 13 carries, 60 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Peter LeBlanc 2 receptions, 38 yards
Liberty Passing Malik Willis 14/34, 162 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
Rushing T. J. Green 4 carries, 56 yards
Receiving Kevin Shaa 3 receptions, 72 yards, 2 TDs


Louisiana–Monroe[]

Louisiana–Monroe at Louisiana
1 234Total
Warhawks 3 706 16
Ragin' Cajuns 14 070 21
  • Date: November 27, 2021
  • Location: Cajun Field
    Lafayette, LA
  • Game start: 3:02 p.m. CST
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 6 minutes
  • Game attendance: 18,447
  • Game weather: 56 °F (13 °C) • Weather: Rain • Wind: NW 1 MPH
  • Referee: William Bonet
  • TV announcers (ESPNU): Clay Matvick (play–by–play), Rocky Boiman (analyst), and Tiffany Blackmon (sideline reporter)
  
Pregame line Over/under
LA –21.5 55
Statistics Louisiana–Monroe Louisiana
First downs 20 17
Total yards 325 382
Rushing yards 164 165
Passing yards 161 217
Turnovers 1 0
Time of possession 30:32 29:28
Team Category Player Statistics
Louisiana–Monroe Passing Rhett Rodriguez 11/24, 145 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Malik Jackson 23 carries, 112 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Boogie Knight 2 receptions, 47 yards, 1 TD
Louisiana Passing Levi Lewis 13/22, 163 yards
Rushing Montrell Johnson 5 carries, 62 yards
Receiving Neal Johnson 3 receptions, 80 yards

Appalachian State (SBC Championship)[]

Appalachian State at Louisiana
1 234Total
Mountaineers 0 736 16
No. 24 Ragin' Cajuns 7 1007 24
  • Date: December 4, 2021
  • Location: Cajun Field
    Lafayette, LA
  • Game start: 2:40 p.m. CST
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 45 minutes
  • Game attendance: 31,014
  • Game weather: 79 °F (26 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: NW 3 MPH
  • Referee: Kyle Olson
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Dave Pasch (play–by–play), Dusty Dvoracek (analyst), and Tom Luginbill (sideline reporter)
   
Pregame line Over/under
APP –2.5 52
Statistics Appalachian State Louisiana
First downs 18 20
Total yards 290 398
Rushing yards 171 188
Passing yards 119 210
Turnovers 1 0
Time of possession 27:23 32:37
Team Category Player Statistics
Appalachian State Passing Chase Brice 12/30, 119 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Camerun Peoples 8 carries, 61 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Thomas Hennigan 6 receptions, 71 yards, 1 TD
Louisiana Passing Levi Lewis 15/30, 210 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Emani Bailey 14 carries, 114 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Peter LeBlanc 4 receptions, 67 yards


vs. Marshall (New Orleans Bowl)[]

Marshall vs. Louisiana
1 234Total
No. 23 Ragin' Cajuns 10 6020 36
Thundering Herd 7 770 21
  • Date: December 18, 2021
  • Location: Caesars Superdome
    New Orleans, LA
  • Game start: 8:15 p.m. CST
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 33 minutes
  • Game attendance: 21,642
  • Game weather: N/A (indoors)
  • Referee: Mike Cuttone
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Anish Shroff (play–by–play), Mike Golic Jr. (analyst), and Taylor McGregor (sideline reporter)
      
Pregame line Over/under
LA –3.5 56
Statistics Louisiana Marshall
First downs 23 13
Total yards 498 286
Rushing yards 220 187
Passing yards 278 99
Turnovers 0 2
Time of possession 37:26 22:34
Team Category Player Statistics
Louisiana Passing Levi Lewis 19/31, 270 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Emani Bailey 17 carries, 94 yards, 2 TDs
Receiving Michael Jefferson 3 receptions, 108 yards
Marshall Passing Grant Wells 15/26, 99 yards, 1 INT
Rushing Rasheen Ali 20 carries, 160 yards, 3 TDs
Receiving Corey Gammage 9 receptions, 50 yards

Rankings[]

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
NR = Not ranked. RV = Received votes. т = Tied with team above or below. ( ) = First place votes.
Week
Poll Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Final 
AP 23 RV NR NR NR NR NR NR RV 24 24 22 23 20 16  
Coaches 23 RV RV RV RV RV RV RV RV RV 25 21 23 21 17  
CFP Not released NR NR NR NR 24 23 Not released

References[]

  1. ^ Logue, Andrew (12 September 2020). "Ragin' Cajuns beat No. 23 Iowa St 31-14; 1st Top 25 road win". AP NEWS. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  2. ^ Press, Associated (18 September 2020). "ICYMI: UL-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns ranked in AP Top 25 for first time since 1943". WDSU. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  3. ^ Adams, Madeline (20 September 2020). "Cajuns earn first overtime victory since 2005 with 34-31 win over Georgia State". KLFY. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  4. ^ Partsch III, Raymond. "Cajuns maintain position in CFP ranking". The Daily Iberian. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  5. ^ Selbe, Nick. "No. 25 Louisiana Edges Appalachian State Despite Special Teams Miscues". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  6. ^ Artemis Moshtaghian and Dakin Andone. "Louisiana-Lafayette assistant football coach D.J. Looney dies at 31". CNN. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  7. ^ "Louisiana Football Adds 12 to 2021 Signing Class". Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  8. ^ "Levi Lewis Named to 2021 Maxwell Award Watch List". Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  9. ^ "Bralen Trahan Earns Spot on 2021 Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List". Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  10. ^ "Levi Lewis Earns Spot on 2021 Davey O'Brien Award Preseason Watch List". Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  11. ^ "Chris Smith Named to 2021 Doak Walker Award Watch List". Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  12. ^ "Shane Vallot Named to Rimington Trophy Watch List". Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  13. ^ "Levi Lewis Nominated to 2021 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team". Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  14. ^ "Johnny Lumpkin Earns Spot on Mackey Award Watch List". Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  15. ^ "Bralen Trahan Named to Bronko Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List". Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  16. ^ "O'Cyrus Torrence Selected to Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List". Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  17. ^ "Rhys Byrns Selected to Ray Guy Award Preseason Watch List". Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  18. ^ "Levi Lewis Listed on Wuerffel Trophy Watch List". Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  19. ^ "Chris Smith Named to Paul Hornung Award Preseason Watch List". Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  20. ^ "Levi Lewis Lands on College Football Performer of the Year Watch List". Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  21. ^ "Levi Lewis Recognized on 2021 Manning Award Watch List". Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  22. ^ "Ken Marks Selected to Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Preseason Watch List". Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  23. ^ "Sun Belt Announces Football Preseason Awards & Poll". sunbeltsports.org. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  24. ^ "2021 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Football Schedule". Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  25. ^ "Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns". ESPN. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
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