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Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (UL) (3-1) run over Ohio (1-3) in the second half to win 45-25.
Ohio and UL played a close game in the first half with a halftime score of 10-6, UL.
The big play in the first half was a fumble by Ohio which was recovered by UL inside Ohio’s five yard line. UL took advantage by scoring on a two-yard run. Ohio’s Jerome Buckner fumbled the punt after a questionable attempt to field the bouncing ball.
Ohio committed five turnovers on the day, getting just one from UL for a -4 turnover differential.
Credit the Ragin’ Cajuns, who came into Peden Stadium with a good game plan and executed it well. The Ragin’ Cajun defense’s main goal was to make Ohio a passing team by taking away the run. Ohio, unable to run in the first half, went to the pass but the passing game was unable to execute consistently and Ohio did not get its first touchdown until the end of the third quarter.
Ohio’s tackling issues resurfaced in the second half and UL’s offensive line created regular running lanes. UL ran up and down the field in the second half, finishing the game with 285 yards rushing and four rushing touchdowns. In one stretch in the second half, UL had a chance for points on five of six drives, scoring four touchdowns and missing a 37-yard field goal attempt.
Ragin’ Cajuns RBs’ Elijah Mitchell and Trey Ragas dropped a thunder-and-lighting routine on Ohio’s defense, combining for 272 yards and four touchdowns.
Ohio’s offense could not find any consistency in the running or passing game and finished the game with four turnovers.
Ohio’s fourth-team running back, JaVahri Portis, came off the bench in the second half and had some nice moments including two rushing touchdowns.
Ohio’s WR Shane Hooks had perhaps his best day as a Bobcat, with three catches for 96 yards and a touchdown.
Ohio is on a bye next week which could probably not come at a better time. Ohio will kickoff MAC play with a game against Buffalo on October 5th at 3:30 pm ET.