Team: University of Louisiana at Lafayette (Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns)
Conference: Sun Belt
Game Date: November 20 (Week 12)
Location: Williams Stadium – Lynchburg, VA
Game History: Liberty and LA Lafayette have meet once before in 2019. The Flames traveled to Cajun Field where they lost 35-14.
Coach – Billy Napier
Napier moved to Lafayette at the end of 2017 for his first head coaching gig and has seen nothing but success since then. Under his leadership, Louisiana has experienced a number of recent successes including: three straight Sun Belt Championship appearances, a conference title, and a pair of bowl victories. Apart from these accomplishments, Napier has coached in a variety of offensive roles at Arizona State, Colorado State and also Alabama where he helped win a pair of national championships (’11, ’15).
2020 Record: 10-1. Last season was a historic one for Louisiana. They earned their first national ranking after upsetting No. 23 Iowa State to start the season. Their one loss came against Coastal Carolina in the closing seconds of the game. They ended the year with their highest-ever rankings in the AP (15th), coaches (16th), and CFB playoff polls (19th).
2021 Outlook:
Louisiana’s offensive output last year was impressive as they averaged 422 yards and 34 points per game. They return a healthy portion of their starters including QB Levi Lewis who we will discuss later. Their line will be one of the best in the Sun Belt with 2020 All-Sun Belt second teamers OT Max Mitchell and OG O’Cyrus Torrence back as well. Freshman receiver Kyren Lacy, who led the team with 364 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns, will be a steady threat along with No. 2 man Jalen Williams. The offensive backfield is the most uncertain piece of the Ragin’ Cajun offense. RB’s Elijah Mitchell and Trey Ragas, who combined for over 1,600 yards and 18 TDs, have moved on from the program leaving a younger group of rushers to carry the load.
Similar to that of the offense, things look pretty bright for the 2021 Ragin’ Cajun defense. They return their top two tacklers in LBs Lorenzo McCaskill and Ferrod Gardner, both of whom can also get after the QB. All-Sun Belt Junior DT Zi’Yon Hill is coming off a stellar season with 49 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, and 2 fumble recoveries. The secondary was one of the best in college football and they bring back junior S Bralen Trahan, junior CB Eric Garror and sophomore CB Mekhi Garner, who all combined for 10 INTs. This defense that returns so many important players ranked 4th in gained turnovers with 26, 33rd in total defense, and 6th is passing yards per game allowed. If you’re looking for a weakness, the rushing defense could be an achilles heel for an otherwise solid group.
Offensive Player To Watch – Senior QB Levi Lewis
2021 will be Lewis’ 5th year with LA-Lafayette. In that time, he is 24-4 as a starter and the 2nd all-time passing TD leader for the Ragin’ Cajun. The super senior’s 2020 performance of 2,274 passing yards, 19 passing TDs, 398 rushing yard, and 5 rushing TDs earned him second-team honors behind Coastal Carolina’s Grayson McCall. This season is sure to be a record-breaking one for Lewis.
Defensive Player To Watch – Senior DT Tayland Humphrey
Humphrey’s first full season as a starter with Louisiana resulted in All-Conference honors. While his stat line of 32 total tackles and a pair of tackles for loss isn’t eye-popping, he is a run-stuffer who solidifies the center of their defensive line. He will be an important piece in keeping Liberty’s rushing attack at bay.
