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2020 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team

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2020 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football
Sun Belt Conference co-champion
Sun Belt West Division champion
First Responder Bowl champion
First Responder Bowl, W 31–24 vs. UTSA
ConferenceSun Belt Conference
DivisionWest Division
Ranking
CoachesNo. 16
APNo. 15
Record10–1 (7–1 Sun Belt)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorRob Sale (3rd season)
Offensive schemePro-style
Defensive coordinatorPatrick Toney (1st season)
Base defense4–2–5
Home stadiumCajun Field
Seasons
← 2019
2021 →
2020 Sun Belt Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
East Division
No. 14 Coastal Carolina xy+   8 0     11 1  
Appalachian State   6 2     9 3  
Georgia Southern   4 4     8 5  
Georgia State   4 4     6 4  
Troy   3 4     5 6  
West Division
No. 15 Louisiana xy+   7 1     10 1  
South Alabama   3 5     4 7  
Arkansas State   2 6     4 7  
Texas State   2 6     2 10  
Louisiana–Monroe   0 7     0 10  
Championship: Louisiana at Coastal Carolina (Canceled)
  • + – Conference co-champions
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2020 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team represented the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Ragin' Cajuns played their home games at Cajun Field in Lafayette, Louisiana, and competed in the West Division of the Sun Belt Conference. They were led by third-year head coach Billy Napier. The Cajuns began the season with an away matchup against a preseason top-25 Iowa State and concluded their regular season at conference and in-state rival Louisiana–Monroe.

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.[1] 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.

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.[2] The following week, the Cajuns were nationally ranked for the first time since the 1940s, reaching 19th in the AP Poll.[3] 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.[4] 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).[5] 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.[6]

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.

Preseason

[edit]

Recruiting class

[edit]
US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40 Commit date
Trenayvian "Trey" Amos
CB
New Iberia, LA Catholic HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Caleb Anderson
CB
Clinton, LA East Feliciana HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Emani Bailey
RB
Denton, TX Denton Ryan HS 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Dontae Fleming
WR
LaPlace, LA East St. John HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 165 lb (75 kg) Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Courtline Flowers
CB
Dallas, TX South Oak Cliff HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Dabari Hawkins
CB
Missouri City, TX Stafford HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Sonny Hazard
DL
New Orleans, LA Jesuit HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 290 lb (130 kg) Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:2/5 stars
Reginald Johnson
WR
Baton Rouge, LA Southern Lab 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Feb 5, 2020 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Ahmad Johnson
LB
Pelahatchie, MS Pelahatchie Attendance Center 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Kyren Lacy
WR
Thibodaux, LA Thibodaux HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Jordan Lawson
DL
Branson, MS Brandon HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 270 lb (120 kg) Feb 5, 2020 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Cory Marshall
OL
Shreveport, LA Northwood HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 330 lb (150 kg) Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Jack McKenzie
OL
McComb, MS Parklane Academy 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 330 lb (150 kg) Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Andray Pope
RB
Evergreen, AL Hillcrest HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Dominique Ratcliff
DL
Conroe, TX Conroe HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 270 lb (120 kg) Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Errol Rogers Jr.
WR
Lafayette, LA Lafayette Christian Academy 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Christian Sabatini
TE
Plano, TX Plano Senior HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 245 lb (111 kg) Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:2/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Tyree Skipper
S
New Orleans, LA Sophie B. Wright Charter 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars

Award watch lists

[edit]

Listed in the order that they were released

Preseason

[edit]
Award Player Position Year
Davey O'Brien Award Levi Lewis QB Senior
Doak Walker Award Elijah Mitchell RB Senior
Doak Walker Award Trey Ragas RB Senior
Outland Trophy O'Cyrus Torrence OL Sophomore
Ray Guy Award Rhys Burns P Junior
Wuerffel Trophy Jalen Williams WR R-Senior
Maxwell Award Levi Lewis QB Senior

References:[7][8][9][10][11][12]

Season/Postseason

[edit]
Award Player Position Year
Rimington Trophy Shane Vallot OL R-Junior
FWAA Freshman-All American Kyren Lacy WR Freshman
Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year Ken Marks OL R-Senior

References:[13][14][15]

Sun Belt coaches poll

[edit]

The Sun Belt coaches poll was released on August 25, 2020. The Cajuns were picked to finish first in the West with 47 votes and second in the conference behind Appalachian State.

West Division
Predicted finish Team Votes
1 Louisiana 47 (7)
2 Arkansas State 40 (2)
3 South Alabama 22 (1)
4 Texas State 21
5 Louisiana–Monroe 20
East Division
Predicted finish Team Votes
1 Appalachian State 49 (9)
2 Georgia Southern 36
3 Troy 32 (1)
4 Georgia State 20
5 Coastal Carolina 13

Sun Belt Preseason All-Conference teams

[edit]

Athlon Sports Sun Belt Preseason All-Conference teams

[edit]

References:[16]

Lindy's Sports Sun Belt Preseason All-Conference teams

[edit]

During the announcement, Lindy's also picked the Cajuns to win their third-consecutive Sun Belt West Division Championship as well as named Senior running back Elijah Mitchell to the Preseason Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year.[17]

References':[18]

Personnel

[edit]
2020 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
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
QB 8 Jai'Ave Magalei  Jr
RB 9 Trey Ragas  Sr
QB 10 Clifton McDowell  Fr
WR 11 Calif Gossett  Jr
WR 13 Dalen Cambre  Fr
RB 15 Elijah Mitchell Sr
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
WR 22 Amir McDaniel  Fr
RB 23 T. J. Wisham  Jr
TE 24 Pearse Migl  So
QB 25 Beau Kalbacher  Sr
WR 26 Kaleb Carter  So
WR 27 Trevor Russell  Jr
WR 29 Peter LeBlanc So
RB 30 Jordan Griffin  So
RB 31 Michael Orphey Jr.  So
RB 33 Andray Pope Fr
RB 34 Mike Martin Fr
TE 40 Dravyn Guilbeau Fr
TE 41 Joe Lombardi Jr. Fr
TE 44 Christian Sabatini Fr
OL 50 Nathan Thomas  Fr
OL 51 Landon Burton  Fr
OL 53 AJ Gillie  Fr
OL 54 Tyler Brown  Fr
OL 55 Zach Robertson Sr
OL 58 O'Cyrus Torrence So
OL 61 Cole Prudhomme  Sr
OL 63 Spencer Gardner  Jr
OL 64 Shane Vallot  Jr
OL 65 Carlos Rubio  Jr
OL 67 Ken Marks  Sr
OL 69 Jack McKenzie Fr
OL 70 Jax Harrington  Fr
OL 71 Masry Mapieu Jr
OL 72 Max Yarbrough  So
OL 73 David Hudson  Jr
OL 74 Max Mitchell Jr
OL 75 Cory Marshall Fr
OL 77 King McGowen  Fr
OL 78 Luke Junkunc  So
OL 79 Logan Newell  Fr
WR 80 Devon Pauley  So
WR 81 Reginald Johnson Jr. Fr
TE 83 Damani Burrell  So
WR 84 Leroy Franklin  Sr
TE 85 Peyton Aucoin  Sr
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
LB 3 Joe Dillon  Sr
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
S 15 Tyree Skipper Fr
CB 16 Asjlin 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 Korian Wilson Fr
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 Dabari Hawkins Fr
LB 31 Brontre' Griffin Fr
LB 33 Tyler Guidry So
S 34 Scottie Johnson Fr
LB 35 Ahmad Johnson Fr
LB 37 Jordan Anthony Fr
DL 38 Dominique Ratcliff Fr
CB 39 Jayrin Wilson  Jr
CB 40 Patrick Marshall Fr
S 41 Ty'Darien Quinney  Fr
LB 43 Jourdon Quibodeaux  Jr
LB 44 Tanner Wiggins  Jr
CB 45 Caleb Glenn  Jr
DL 46 Jordan Lawson Fr
LB 48 Troy Krutchen  Jr
LB 51 Lakeidrick George Jr.  So
LB 52 Cooper LeBlanc  So
LB 53 Kyle Pierre  Jr
LB 56 Terrence Jones  Sr
LB 57 La'Kamion Franklin  Fr
DL 90 Mason Narcisse Fr
DL 91 Sonny Hazard Fr
DL 93 Quintlan Cobb  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  Jr
K 45 Kenneth Almendares  So
P 47 Rhys Byrns Jr
LS 49 Paul Boudreaux  Jr
K 84 Thomas Leo Fr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches

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

Roster
Last update: July 4, 2020

Schedule

[edit]

The 2020 schedule consists of 6 home and 6 away games in the regular season. The Ragin' Cajuns will travel to Sun Belt foes Appalachian State, Georgia State, Texas State and Louisiana–Monroe. The Cajuns will play host to Sun Belt foes Georgia Southern, Coastal Carolina, Arkansas State, and South Alabama.

The Ragin' Cajuns will host one of the three non-conference opponents at Cajun Field, Central Arkansas, from NCAA Division I FCS, and will travel to Iowa State of the Big 12 and UAB of the C-USA.

Louisiana had a game against Missouri and Wyoming, which were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[19]

On August 12, the Cajuns and Iowa State reached an agreement to play each other. This game will replace the Cajuns' Wyoming game that was canceled.[20]

On August 13, New Mexico State decided to postpone all their fall sports to the spring.[21] This canceled their October 23 contest with Louisiana.

On August 17, McNeese pulled out of the agreement to play Louisiana in the Herbert Heymann Classic on September 5.[22]

On August 20, the Cajuns reached agreements with UAB and Central Arkansas to play them away on October 23 and home on November 21, respectively.[23]

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 1211:00 a.m.at No. 23 Iowa State*ESPNW 31–140 [1]
September 1911:00 a.m.at Georgia StateNo. 19ESPN2W 34–31 OT4,126
September 2611:00 a.m.Georgia SouthernNo. 19ESPN2W 20–185,585
October 146:30 p.m.Coastal CarolinaNo. 21
  • Cajun Field
  • Lafayette, LA
ESPNL 27–305,585
October 237:00 p.m.at UAB*CBSSNW 24–2011,610
October 317:00 p.m.at Texas StateESPNUW 44–347,500
November 711:00 a.m.Arkansas Statedagger
  • Cajun Field
  • Lafayette, LA
ESPNUW 27–205,585
November 141:00 p.m.South AlabamaNo. 25
  • Cajun Field
  • Lafayette, LA
ESPN+W 38–105,585
November 282:00 p.m.at Louisiana–MonroeESPN3W 70–203,132
December 47:00 p.m.at Appalachian StateNo. 25ESPN2W 24–212,170
December 193:30 p.m.at No. 12 Coastal CarolinaNo. 19ESPNNo Contest[24][25]
December 262:30 p.m.vs. UTSA*No. 19ABCW 31–243,512
Schedule Source:[26][27]

Game summaries

[edit]

At Iowa State

[edit]
Louisiana at Iowa State
1 234Total
Ragin' Cajuns 0 10714 31
No. 23 Cyclones 0 1400 14
  • Date: September 12, 2020
  • Location: Jack Trice Stadium
    Ames, IA
  • Game start: 11:02 a.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 16 minutes
  • Game attendance: 0
  • Game weather: 63 °F (17 °C) • Weather: Mostly Cloudy • Wind: Light
  • Referee: Tuta Salaam
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Tom Hart (play–by–play), Mike Golic (analyst), and Cole Cubelic (sideline reporter)
    
Pregame line Over/under
ISU −11.5 58[28]
Statistics Louisiana Iowa State
First downs 14 18
Total yards 272 303
Rushing yards 118 158
Passing yards 154 145
Turnovers 0 2
Time of possession 27:41 32:19
Team Category Player Statistics
Louisiana Passing Levi Lewis 13/21, 154 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Trey Ragas 14 carries, 49 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Peter LeBlanc 5 receptions, 82 yards, 1 TD
Iowa State Passing Brock Purdy 16/35, 145 yards, 1 INT
Rushing Breece Hall 20 carries, 103 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Xavier Hutchinson 4 receptions, 43 yards

At Georgia State

[edit]
Louisiana at Georgia State
1 234OTTotal
No. 19 Ragin' Cajuns 0 71476 34
Panthers 7 7773 31
  • Date: September 19, 2020
  • Location: Center Parc Stadium
    Atlanta, GA
  • Game start: 11:01 a.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 43 minutes
  • Game attendance: 4,126
  • Game weather: 71 °F (22 °C) • Weather: Cloudy • Wind: 13 E MPH
  • Referee: Kyle Olson
  • TV announcers (ESPN2): Wes Durham (play–by–play), Roddy Jones (analyst), and Paul Carcaterra (sideline reporter)
     
Pregame line Over/under
LA −17 58.5 [29]
Statistics Louisiana Georgia State
First downs 23 26
Total yards 519 419
Rushing yards 240 223
Passing yards 279 196
Turnovers 2 2
Time of possession 28:44 30:10
Team Category Player Statistics
Louisiana Passing Levi Lewis 21/37, 279 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
Rushing Elijah Mitchell 16 carries, 164 yards, 2 TDs
Receiving Dontae Fleming 4 receptions, 81 yards
Georgia State Passing Cornelius Brown IV 22/39, 196 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Destin Coates 34 carries, 150 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Roger Carter 2 receptions, 53 yards, 1 TD

Georgia Southern

[edit]
Georgia Southern at Louisiana
1 234Total
Eagles 0 738 18
No. 19 Ragin' Cajuns 0 7310 20
  • Date: September 26, 2020
  • Location: Cajun Field
    Lafayette, LA
  • Game start: 11:01 a.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 19 minutes
  • Game attendance: 5,585
  • Game weather: 79 °F (26 °C) • Weather: Sunny, Humid • Wind: Calm
  • Referee: Wayne Winkler
  • TV announcers (ESPN2): Beth Mowins (play–by–play), Kirk Morrison (analyst), and Dawn Davenport (sideline reporter)
    
Pregame line Over/under
LA −13.5 52.5[30]
Statistics Georgia Southern Louisiana
First downs 21 18
Total yards 447 438
Rushing yards 192 148
Passing yards 255 290
Turnovers 2 1
Time of possession 35:14 24:46
Team Category Player Statistics
Georgia Southern Passing Shai Werts 11/18, 255 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing J. D. King 24 carries, 100 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Wesley Kennedy III 2 receptions, 105 yards
Louisiana Passing Levi Lewis 18/32, 290 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Chris Smith 4 carries, 54 yards
Receiving Peter LeBlanc 3 receptions, 64 yards

Coastal Carolina

[edit]
Coastal Carolina at Louisiana
1 234Total
Chanticleers 7 6710 30
No. 21 Ragin' Cajuns 7 677 27
  • Date: October 14, 2020
  • Location: Cajun Field
    Lafayette, LA
  • Game start: 6:35 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 21 minutes
  • Game attendance: 5,585
  • Game weather: 81 °F (27 °C) • Weather: Clear • Wind: SSW 4 MPH
  • Referee: Jeremy Parker
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Chris Cotter (play–by–play), Eric MacLain (analyst), Lericia Harris (sideline reporter)
     
Pregame line Over/under
LA −8 58.5[31]
Statistics Coastal Carolina Louisiana
First downs 23 19
Total yards 414 413
Rushing yards 212 240
Passing yards 202 173
Turnovers 0 1
Time of possession 38:11 21:49
Team Category Player Statistics
Coastal Carolina Passing Grayson McCall 17/24, 202 yards, 2 TDs
Rushing C. J. Marable 17 carries, 73 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Jaivon Heiligh 8 receptions, 108 yards, 1 TD
Louisiana Passing Levi Lewis 14/24, 173 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Levi Lewis 6 carries, 84 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Jalen Williams 4 receptions, 89 yards, 1 TD

At UAB

[edit]
Louisiana at Alabama–Birmingham
1 234Total
RV Ragin' Cajuns 0 1077 24
RV Blazers 3 1070 20
    
Pregame line Over/under
LA −2.5 50.5[32]
Statistics Louisiana UAB
First downs 17 17
Total yards 286 285
Rushing yards 134 175
Passing yards 152 110
Turnovers 0 2
Time of possession 30:37 29:23
Team Category Player Statistics
Louisiana Passing Levi Lewis 12/20, 152 yards, 2 TDS
Rushing Elijah Mitchell 21 carries, 67 yards
Receiving Kyren Lacy 2 receptions, 43 yards
UAB Passing Bryson Lucero 10/23, 110 yards, 2 INTs
Rushing Spencer Brown 28 carries, 128 yards, 2 TDs
Receiving Ryan Davis 2 receptions, 34 yards

At Texas State

[edit]
Louisiana at Texas State
1 234Total
RV Ragin' Cajuns 14 2037 44
Bobcats 14 767 34
  • Date: October 31, 2020
  • Location: Bobcat Stadium
    San Marcos, TX
  • Game start: 7:02 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 33 minutes
  • Game attendance: 7,500
  • Game weather: 69 °F (21 °C) • Weather: Clear Skies • Wind: S 6 MPH
  • Referee: Marshall Lewis
  • TV announcers (ESPNU): Mike Couzens (play–by–play) and Rene Ingoglia (analyst)
        
Pregame line Over/under
LA −16.5 56.5[33]
Statistics Louisiana Texas State
First downs 31 26
Total yards 614 382
Rushing yards 282 204
Passing yards 332 178
Turnovers 4 3
Time of possession 33:06 26:54
Team Category Player Statistics
Louisiana Passing Levi Lewis 22/32, 332 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing Trey Ragas 19 carries, 131 yards, 3 TDs
Receiving Jalen Williams 3 receptions, 85 yards
Texas State Passing Brady McBride 14/32, 166 yards, 1 TD, 3 TDs
Rushing Brock Sturges 17 carries, 128 yards, 2 TDs
Receiving Marcell Barbee 2 receptions, 62 yards, 1 TD

Arkansas State

[edit]
Arkansas State at Louisiana
1 234Total
Red Wolves 3 3014 20
RV Ragin' Cajuns 0 01413 27
  • Date: November 7, 2020
  • Location: Cajun Field
    Lafayette, LA
  • Game start: 11:02 a.m. CST
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 22 minutes
  • Game attendance: 5,585
  • Game weather: 76 °F (24 °C) • Weather: Mostly Cloudy • Wind: ENE 6 MPH
  • Referee: Kyle Olson
  • TV announcers (ESPNU): Dave Neal (play–by–play) and DJ Shockley (analyst)
     
Pregame line Over/under
LA −14.5 68.5[34]
Statistics Arkansas State Louisiana
First downs 24 19
Total yards 423 440
Rushing yards 199 196
Passing yards 224 244
Turnovers 2 1
Time of possession 31:45 28:15
Team Category Player Statistics
Arkansas State Passing Logan Bonner 16/30, 127 yards, 2 INTs
Rushing Lincoln Pare 22 carries, 121 yards
Receiving Jonathan Adams Jr. 8 receptions, 95 yards
Louisiana Passing Levi Lewis 17/29, 244 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Elijah Mitchell 16 carries, 90 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Neal Johnson 5 receptions, 68 yards

South Alabama

[edit]
South Alabama at Louisiana
1 234Total
Jaguars 3 700 10
No. 25 Ragin' Cajuns 14 1437 38
  • Date: November 14, 2020
  • Location: Cajun Field
    Lafayette, LA
  • Game start: 1:06 p.m. CST
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 9 minutes
  • Game attendance: 5,585
  • Game weather: 79 °F (26 °C) • Weather: Mostly Cloudy • Wind: S 10 MPH
  • Referee: Jeremy Parker
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Dan McDonald (play–by–play) and Chris Lanaux (analyst)
    
Pregame line Over/under
LA −14.5 53[35]
Statistics South Alabama Louisiana
First downs 19 23
Total yards 268 506
Rushing yards 123 254
Passing yards 145 252
Turnovers 2 2
Time of possession 31:47 28:13
Team Category Player Statistics
South Alabama Passing Desmond Trotter 15/28, 133 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Terrion Avery 14 carries, 62 yards
Receiving Jalen Tolbert 5 receptions, 64 yards
Louisiana Passing Levi Lewis 21/31, 252 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing Chris Smith 7 carries, 99 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Neal Johnson 3 receptions, 40 yards

At Louisiana–Monroe

[edit]
Louisiana at Louisiana–Monroe
1 234Total
Ragin' Cajuns 21 28714 70
Warhawks 14 006 20
  • Date: November 28, 2020
  • Location: Malone Stadium
    Monroe, LA
  • Game start: 2:05 p.m. CST
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 13 minutes
  • Game attendance: 3,132
  • Game weather: 53 °F (12 °C) • Weather: Cloudy • Wind: NE 11 MPH
  • Referee: Kyle Olson
  • TV announcers (ESPN3): Chris Harris (play–by–play) and Mike Hammett (analyst)
         
Pregame line Over/under
LA −29.5 58[36]
Statistics Louisiana Louisiana–Monroe
First downs 26 14
Total yards 511 247
Rushing yards 344 125
Passing yards 167 122
Turnovers 1 3
Time of possession 31:54 28:06
Team Category Player Statistics
Louisiana Passing Levi Lewis 18/25, 147 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing Trey Ragas 11 carries, 95 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Kyren Lacy 5 receptions, 48 yards, 1 TD
Louisiana–Monroe Passing Jeremy Hunt 14/32, 121 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Kadyn Roach 7 carries, 65 yards
Receiving Jonathan Hodoh 1 reception, 43 yards

At Appalachian State

[edit]
Louisiana at Appalachian State
1 234Total
No. 25 Ragin' Cajuns 0 9150 24
Mountaineers 7 3011 21
  • Date: December 4, 2020
  • Location: Kidd Brewer Stadium
    Boone, NC
  • Game start: 7:40 p.m. CST
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 22 minutes
  • Game attendance: 2,170
  • Game weather: 42 °F (6 °C) • Weather: Rainy and Wet • Wind: Light
  • Referee: Wayne Winkler
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Jason Benetti (play–by–play), Andre Ware (analyst), and Marty Smith (sideline reporter)
     
Pregame line Over/under
APST –3 52.5[37]
Statistics Louisiana Appalachian State
First downs 18 19
Total yards 227 290
Rushing yards 126 198
Passing yards 101 92
Turnovers 0 3
Time of possession 24:17 35:43
Team Category Player Statistics
Louisiana Passing Levi Lewis 8/23, 101 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Elijah Mitchell 12 carries, 95 yards
Receiving Jalen Williams 2 receptions, 39 yards
Appalachain State Passing Zac Thomas 10/21, 92 yards, 2 INTs
Rushing Camerun Peoples 21 carries, 99 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Thomas Hennigan 4 receptions, 44 yards

Vs. UTSA (first responder bowl)

[edit]
Texas–San Antonio vs. Louisiana
1 234Total
Roadrunners 0 7143 24
No. 19 Ragin' Cajuns 7 1077 31
     
Pregame line Over/under
LA –14 55[38]
Statistics UTSA Louisiana
First downs 27 23
Total yards 431 411
Rushing yards 223 223
Passing yards 208 208
Turnovers 2 1
Time of possession 27:23 32:37
Team Category Player Statistics
UTSA Passing Frank Harris 13/21, 208 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing Sincere McCormick 23 carries, 122 yards
Receiving Zakhari Franklin 5 receptions, 115 yards, 1 TD
Louisiana Passing Levi Lewis 12/22, 146 yards, 2 TDs
Rushing Elijah Mitchell 19 carries, 127 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Elijah Mitchell 2 receptions, 45 yards

Postseason Accolade

[edit]
Accolade Recipient
2021 Reese's Senior Bowl participant Elijah Mitchell, RB
2021 East-West Shrine Game participant Trey Ragas, RB
Davy O'Brien Award Great 8 Levi Lewis, QB
Davy O'Brien Quarterback Class of 2020 Levi Lewis, QB
AFCA 35 under 35 coaches Leadership Institute Robby Discher
Burlsworth Trophy nominee Shane Vallot, OL
Broyles Award nominee Patrick Toney
Joe Moore Award semifinalist Louisiana OL
All-Sun Belt First Team Offense Elijah Mitchell, RB
All-Sun Belt First Team Specialists Chris Smith, RS
All-Sun Belt Second Team Offense Levi Lewis, QB
Trey Ragas, RB
O'Cyrus Torrence, OL
Max Mitchell, OL
All-Sun Belt Second Team Defense Zi'Yon Hill, DL
Bralen Trahan, DB
All-Sun Belt Second Team Specialists Rhys Burns, P
All-Sun Belt Third Team Offense Ken Marks, OL
Shane Vallot, OL
All-Sun Belt Third Team Defense Lorenzo McCaskill, LB
Eric Garror, DB
All-Sun Belt Third Team Specialists Chris Smith, AP
All-Sun Belt Honorable Mentioned Ferrod Gardner, OL
Tayland Humphrey, DL
Mekhi Garner, CB
Percy Butler, S
Pro Focus Football First Team All-American Chris Smith, RS
Pro Focus Football Third Team All-American Bralen Trahan, S
Pro Focus Football Honorable Mentioned All-American Zi'Yon Hill, DL
Pro Focus Football First Team All-Sun Belt Trey Ragas, RB
Max Mitchell, OL
Zi'Yon Hill, DL
Bralen Trahan, S
Chris Smith, RS
Pro Focus Football Second Team All-Sun Belt Eric Garror, CB
Mekhi Garner, CB
Cameron Soloman, S
Percy Butler, S
Pro Focus Football Third Team All-Sun Belt Levi Lewis, QB
Elijah Mitchell, RB
O'Cyrus Torrence, OL
Carlos Rubio, OL
Pro Focus Football Honorable Mentioned All-Sun Belt Shane Vallot, OL
Tayland Humphrey, DL
AJ Washington, CB
CBS Sports First Team All-American Chris Smith, RS
247Sports First Team All-American Chris Smith, RS
FWAA Second Team All-American Chris Smith, RS
FootballScoop offensive line coaches of the Year Rob Sale
D. J. Looney

Rankings

[edit]
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314151617Final
AP—*RV1919RV2321RVRVRV2524232017171715
CoachesRVRV*RV2125RV2321RVRVRVRV25242117181816
CFPNot released25191919Not released

Players drafted into the NFL

[edit]
Round Pick Player Position NFL Club
6 194 Elijah Mitchell RB San Francisco 49ers

Notes

[edit]
1.^ Many games during the 2020 season denoted “0” in attendance due to COVID-19 pandemic regulations. See Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Artemis Moshtaghian and Dakin Andone. "Louisiana-Lafayette assistant football coach D.J. Looney dies at 31". CNN. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  2. ^ Logue, Andrew (September 12, 2020). "Ragin' Cajuns beat No. 23 Iowa St 31-14; 1st Top 25 road win". AP NEWS. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  3. ^ "ICYMI: UL-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns ranked in AP Top 25 for first time since 1943". WDSU. Associated Press. September 18, 2020. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  4. ^ Adams, Madeline (September 20, 2020). "Cajuns earn first overtime victory since 2005 with 34-31 win over Georgia State". KLFY. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  5. ^ Partsch III, Raymond. "Cajuns maintain position in CFP ranking". The Daily Iberian. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  6. ^ Selbe, Nick. "No. 25 Louisiana Edges Appalachian State Despite Special Teams Miscues". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  7. ^ "Levi Lewis Named to Davey O'Brien Preseason Watch List". KATC. July 14, 2020. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  8. ^ Faust, George (July 16, 2020). "Louisiana's Mitchell, Ragas named to Doak Walker watch list". KLFY. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  9. ^ "O'Cyrus Torrence Selected to Outland Trophy Watch List". Louisiana Athletics. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  10. ^ "Rhys Byrns Lands on Ray Guy Award Watch List". Louisiana Athletics. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  11. ^ "Jalen Williams named on Wuerffel Trophy watch list". KLFY. July 25, 2020. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  12. ^ "Lewis Adds Name to Maxwell Award Preseason Watch List". Louisiana Athletics. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  13. ^ "Shane Vallot Named to Rimington Trophy Watch List". Louisiana Athletics. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  14. ^ "Kyren Lacy Named to 2020 FWAA Freshman All-America Watch List". Louisiana Athletics. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  15. ^ "Ken Marks Named to 2020 Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year Award Watch List". Louisiana Athletics. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  16. ^ "Louisiana Tops Athlon Sports' Preseason All-Sun Belt Teams With Seventeen Selections". Louisiana Athletics. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  17. ^ Faust, George (July 7, 2020). "Senior running back Elijah Mitchell tabbed as Preseason Offensive Player of the Year". KLFY. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  18. ^ "Louisiana Lands Six on 2020 Lindy's All-Sun Belt Preseason Teams". Louisiana Athletics. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  19. ^ Talty, John. "SEC moves to conference-only 2020 schedule, pushes back start of season". AL.com. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  20. ^ "Iowa State adds the UL-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns as non-conference opponent". www.msn.com. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  21. ^ "Independent N.M. State moves football to spring". ESPN.com. August 13, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  22. ^ "McNeese AD explains decision to not play the Cajuns". www.msn.com. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  23. ^ Buckley, Tim. "Cajuns add UAB, Central Arkansas to their 2020 schedule". The Daily Advertiser.
  24. ^ "Sun Belt Conference Championship Football Game Canceled". sunbeltsports.org. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  25. ^ Selbe, Nick. "Sun Belt Title Game Canceled Due to Positive COVID-19 Test". Sports Illustrated.
  26. ^ "2020 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Football Schedule". Retrieved February 28, 2020.
  27. ^ "Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns". ESPN. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
  28. ^ "Louisiana, Iowa State Could Be Ready To Light It Up". Odds Shark. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  29. ^ "Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns vs Georgia State Panthers". Odds Shark. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  30. ^ "Georgia Southern Eagles vs Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns". Odds Shark. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  31. ^ "Coastal Carolina Chanticleers vs Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns". Odds Shark. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  32. ^ "Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns vs UAB Blazers". Odds Shark. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  33. ^ "Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns vs Texas State Bobcats". Odds Shark. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  34. ^ "Arkansas State Red Wolves vs Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns". Odds Shark. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  35. ^ "South Alabama Jaguars vs Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns". Odds Shark. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  36. ^ "Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns vs Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks". Odds Shark. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  37. ^ "Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns vs Appalachian State Mountaineers". Odds Shark. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  38. ^ "Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns vs UTSA Roadrunners". Odds Shark. Retrieved December 27, 2020.