2021 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team

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2021 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football
Sun Belt champion
Sun Belt West Division champion
New Orleans Bowl champion
New Orleans Bowl, W 36–21 vs. Marshall
ConferenceSun Belt Conference
DivisionWest Division
Ranking
CoachesNo. 18
APNo. 16
Record13–1 (8–0 Sun Belt)
Head coach
Co-offensive coordinatorMichael Desormeaux (1st season)
Co-offensive coordinatorTim Leger (1st season)
Offensive schemeSpread
Defensive coordinatorPatrick Toney (2nd season)
Base defense4–2–5
Home stadiumCajun Field
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. 16 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
Rankings from AP Poll

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.

Preseason[edit]

Recruiting class[edit]

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:[1]

Award watch lists[edit]

Listed in the order that they were released

Preseason[edit]

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:[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]

Sun Belt coaches poll[edit]

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.[17]

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[edit]

Personnel[edit]

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

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

Roster
Last update: 22 April 2021

Schedule[edit]

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*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 SouthernESPN+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 TroyESPN+W 35–2124,738
November 203:00 p.m.at Liberty*ESPNUW 42–1415,564
November 273:00 p.m.Louisiana–Monroe
ESPNUW 21–1618,447
December 42:30 p.m.Appalachian StateNo. 24
ESPNW 24–1631,014
December 188:15 p.m.vs. Marshall*No. 23ESPNW 36–2121,642

[18][19]

Game summaries[edit]

At Texas[edit]

Louisiana at Texas
1 234Total
No. 23 Ragin' Cajuns 3 366 18
No. 21 Longhorns 7 71410 38
      
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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

Louisiana–Monroe at Louisiana
1 234Total
Warhawks 3 706 16
Ragin' Cajuns 14 070 21
  
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)[edit]

Appalachian State at Louisiana
1 234Total
Mountaineers 0 736 16
No. 24 Ragin' Cajuns 7 1007 24
   
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)[edit]

Marshall vs. Louisiana
1 234Total
No. 23 Ragin' Cajuns 10 6020 36
Thundering Herd 7 770 21
      
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[edit]

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
AP23RVRV24242223201616
Coaches23RVRVRVRVRVRVRVRVRV252123211718
CFPNot released2423Not released

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Louisiana Football Adds 12 to 2021 Signing Class". Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  2. ^ "Levi Lewis Named to 2021 Maxwell Award Watch List". Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  3. ^ "Bralen Trahan Earns Spot on 2021 Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List". Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  4. ^ "Levi Lewis Earns Spot on 2021 Davey O'Brien Award Preseason Watch List". Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  5. ^ "Chris Smith Named to 2021 Doak Walker Award Watch List". Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  6. ^ "Shane Vallot Named to Rimington Trophy Watch List". Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  7. ^ "Levi Lewis Nominated to 2021 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team". Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  8. ^ "Johnny Lumpkin Earns Spot on Mackey Award Watch List". Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  9. ^ "Bralen Trahan Named to Bronko Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List". Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  10. ^ "O'Cyrus Torrence Selected to Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List". Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  11. ^ "Rhys Byrns Selected to Ray Guy Award Preseason Watch List". Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  12. ^ "Levi Lewis Listed on Wuerffel Trophy Watch List". Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  13. ^ "Chris Smith Named to Paul Hornung Award Preseason Watch List". Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  14. ^ "Levi Lewis Lands on College Football Performer of the Year Watch List". Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  15. ^ "Levi Lewis Recognized on 2021 Manning Award Watch List". Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  16. ^ "Ken Marks Selected to Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Preseason Watch List". Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  17. ^ "Sun Belt Announces Football Preseason Awards & Poll". sunbeltsports.org. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  18. ^ "2021 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Football Schedule". Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  19. ^ "Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns". ESPN. Retrieved April 22, 2021.