# 2021 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team

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
### 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: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| 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: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| 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: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| 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: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| 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: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| 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: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| 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: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Cameron George OLB | Lafayette, LA | Acadiana HS | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 236 lb (107 kg) | – | Feb 3, 2021 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| 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: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| 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: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| 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: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| 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: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| 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: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| 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: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| 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: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| 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: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| 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: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| 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: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| 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: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| 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: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| 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: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| 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: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| 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: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
Source:

### 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:

### 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.
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
## 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.
| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 4 | 3:30 p.m. | at No. 21 Texas* | No. 23 | Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial StadiumAustin, TX | FOX | L 18–38 | 91,113 |
| September 11 | 6:00 p.m. | Nicholls* | | Cajun FieldLafayette, LA | ESPN3 | W 27–24 | 25,417 |
| September 16 | 7:00 p.m. | Ohio* | | Cajun FieldLafayette, LA | ESPN | W 49–14 | 17,709 |
| September 25 | 5:00 p.m. | at Georgia Southern | | Paulson StadiumStatesboro, GA | ESPN+ | W 28–20 | 17,522 |
| October 2 | 7:00 p.m. | at South Alabama | | Hancock Whitney StadiumMobile, AL | ESPN+ | W 20–18 | 16,764 |
| October 12 | 6:30 p.m. | Appalachian State | | Cajun FieldLafayette, LA | ESPN2 | W 41–13 | 20,066 |
| October 21 | 6:30 p.m. | at Arkansas State | | Centennial Bank StadiumJonesboro, AR | ESPNU | W 28–27 | 7,138 |
| October 30 | 11:00 a.m. | Texas State | | Cajun FieldLafayette, LA | ESPNU | W 45–0 | 28,794 |
| November 4 | 6:30 p.m. | Georgia State | | Cajun FieldLafayette, LA | ESPN | W 21–17 | 16,007 |
| November 13 | 2:30 p.m. | at Troy | | Veterans Memorial StadiumTroy, AL | ESPN+ | W 35–21 | 24,738 |
| November 20 | 3:00 p.m. | at Liberty* | | Williams StadiumLynchburg, VA | ESPNU | W 42–14 | 15,564 |
| November 27 | 3:00 p.m. | Louisiana–Monroe | | Cajun FieldLafayette, LA (Battle on the Bayou) | ESPNU | W 21–16 | 18,447 |
| December 4 | 2:30 p.m. | Appalachian State | No. 24 | Cajun FieldLafayette, LA (Sun Belt Championship Game) | ESPN | W 24–16 | 31,014 |
| December 18 | 8:15 p.m. | vs. Marshall* | No. 23 | Caesars SuperdomeNew Orleans, LA (New Orleans Bowl) | ESPN | W 36–21 | 21,642 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecomingRankings from AP Poll (and CFP Rankings, after November 2) - Released prior to gameAll times are in Central time ||||||||

## Game summaries
### At Texas

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 23 Ragin' Cajuns | 3 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 18 |
| • No. 21 Longhorns | 7 | 7 | 14 | 10 | 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 |
| Louisiana | Rushing | Chris Smith | 11 carries, 54 yards, 1 TD |
| Louisiana | Receiving | Jalen Williams | 5 receptions, 71 yards |
| Texas | Passing | Hudson Card | 14/21, 224 yards, 2 TDs |
| Texas | Rushing | Bijan Robinson | 20 carries, 103 yards, 1 TD |
| Texas | Receiving | Jordan Whittington | 7 receptions, 113 yards, 1 TD |

### Nicholls

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| RV (FCS) Colonels | 7 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 24 |
| • RV Ragin' Cajuns | 10 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 27 |
| 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 |
| Nicholls | Rushing | Lindsey Scott Jr. | 18 carries, 121 yards |
| Nicholls | Receiving | Dai'Jean Dixon | 14 receptions, 198 yards, 2 TDs |
| Louisiana | Passing | Levi Lewis | 19/33, 304 yards, 2 TDs |
| Louisiana | Rushing | Chris Smith | 11 carries, 46 yards |
| Louisiana | Receiving | Michael Jefferson | 3 receptions, 84 yards, 1 TD |

### Ohio

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bobcats | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
| • Ragin' Cajuns | 7 | 14 | 7 | 21 | 49 |
| 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 |
| Ohio | Rushing | Armani Rogers | 7 carries, 58 yards |
| Ohio | Receiving | Ty Walton | 5 receptions, 50 yards, 1 TD |
| Louisiana | Passing | Levi Lewis | 21/29, 212 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Louisiana | Rushing | Montrell Johnson | 13 carries, 84 yards, 4 TDs |
| Louisiana | Receiving | Kaleb Carter | 3 receptions, 51 yards |

### At Georgia Southern

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Ragin' Cajuns | 0 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 28 |
| Eagles | 7 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 20 |
| 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 |
| Louisiana | Rushing | Montrell Johnson | 13 carries, 61 yards |
| Louisiana | Receiving | Dontae Fleming | 4 receptions, 70 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia Southern | Passing | Justin Tomlin | 11/24, 175 yards, 1 INT |
| Georgia Southern | Rushing | Gerald Green | 18 carries, 186 yards, 3 TDs |
| Georgia Southern | Receiving | Logan Wright | 4 receptions, 85 yards |

### At South Alabama

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Ragin' Cajuns | 14 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Jaguars | 0 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 18 |
| 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 |
| Louisiana | Rushing | Emani Bailey | 7 carries, 81 yards, 1 TD |
| Louisiana | Receiving | Neal Johnson | 1 reception, 18 yards |
| South Alabama | Passing | Jake Bentley | 19/29, 243 yards |
| South Alabama | Rushing | Bryan Hill | 22 carries, 81 yards, 2 TDs |
| South Alabama | Receiving | Jalen Tolbert | 6 receptions, 143 yards |

### Appalachian State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| RV Mountaineers | 3 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 13 |
| • Ragin' Cajuns | 20 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 41 |
| 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 |
| Appalachian State | Rushing | Nate Noel | 17 carries, 44 yards |
| Appalachian State | Receiving | Malik Williams | 6 receptions, 38 yards |
| Louisiana | Passing | Levi Lewis | 15/25, 209 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Louisiana | Rushing | Montrell Johnson | 14 carries, 103 yards, 1 TD |
| Louisiana | Receiving | Kyren Lacy | 2 receptions, 57 yards, 1 TD |

### At Arkansas State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • RV Ragin' Cajuns | 0 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 28 |
| Red Wolves | 0 | 10 | 17 | 0 | 27 |
| 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 |
| Louisiana | Rushing | Chris Smith | 24 carries, 238 yards, 2 TDs |
| Louisiana | Receiving | Dontae Fleming | 2 receptions, 47 yards |
| Arkansas State | Passing | Layne Hatcher | 16/31, 300 yards, 3 TDs |
| Arkansas State | Rushing | Lincoln Pare | 11 carries, 52 yards |
| Arkansas State | Receiving | Te'Vailance Hunt | 3 receptions, 83 yards, 1 TD |

### Texas State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bobcats | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| • RV Ragin' Cajuns | 0 | 17 | 18 | 10 | 45 |
| 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 |
| Texas State | Rushing | Tyler Vitt | 15 carries, 94 yards |
| Texas State | Receiving | Marcell Barbee | 1 reception, 17 yards |
| Louisiana | Passing | Levi Lewis | 22/32, 228 yards, 3 TDs |
| Louisiana | Rushing | Chris Smith | 9 carries, 70 yards, 1 TD |
| Louisiana | Receiving | Errol Rogers Jr. | 3 receptions, 44 yards |

### Georgia State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Panthers | 3 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 17 |
| • Ragin' Cajuns | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 21 |
| 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 |
| Georgia State | Rushing | Tucker Gregg | 23 carries, 99 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia State | Receiving | Roger Carter | 3 receptions, 76 yards, 1 TD |
| Louisiana | Passing | Levi Lewis | 19/34, 287 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Louisiana | Rushing | Montrell Johnson | 17 carries, 98 yards, 2 TDs |
| Louisiana | Receiving | Peter LeBlanc | 9 receptions, 118 yards, 1 TD |

### At Troy

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Ragin' Cajuns | 14 | 0 | 14 | 7 | 35 |
| Trojans | 10 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 21 |
| 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 |
| Louisiana | Rushing | Chris Smith | 15 carries, 102 yards |
| Louisiana | Receiving | Michael Jefferson | 2 receptions, 71 yards, 1 TD |
| Troy | Passing | Gunnar Watson | 29/55, 350 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Troy | Rushing | Kimani Vidal | 11 carries, 21 yards |
| Troy | Receiving | Tez Johnson | 6 receptions, 83 yards, 1 TD |

### At Liberty

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Ragin' Cajuns | 7 | 14 | 7 | 14 | 42 |
| Flames | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
| 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 |
| Louisiana | Rushing | Emani Bailey | 13 carries, 60 yards, 1 TD |
| Louisiana | Receiving | Peter LeBlanc | 2 receptions, 38 yards |
| Liberty | Passing | Malik Willis | 14/34, 162 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs |
| Liberty | Rushing | T. J. Green | 4 carries, 56 yards |
| Liberty | Receiving | Kevin Shaa | 3 receptions, 72 yards, 2 TDs |

### Louisiana–Monroe

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Warhawks | 3 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 16 |
| • Ragin' Cajuns | 14 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 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 |
| Louisiana–Monroe | Rushing | Malik Jackson | 23 carries, 112 yards, 1 TD |
| Louisiana–Monroe | Receiving | Boogie Knight | 2 receptions, 47 yards, 1 TD |
| Louisiana | Passing | Levi Lewis | 13/22, 163 yards |
| Louisiana | Rushing | Montrell Johnson | 5 carries, 62 yards |
| Louisiana | Receiving | Neal Johnson | 3 receptions, 80 yards |

### Appalachian State (SBC Championship)

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Mountaineers | 0 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 16 |
| • No. 24 Ragin' Cajuns | 7 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 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 |
| Appalachian State | Rushing | Camerun Peoples | 8 carries, 61 yards, 1 TD |
| Appalachian State | Receiving | Thomas Hennigan | 6 receptions, 71 yards, 1 TD |
| Louisiana | Passing | Levi Lewis | 15/30, 210 yards, 1 TD |
| Louisiana | Rushing | Emani Bailey | 14 carries, 114 yards, 1 TD |
| Louisiana | Receiving | Peter LeBlanc | 4 receptions, 67 yards |

### Vs. Marshall (New Orleans Bowl)

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • No. 23 Ragin' Cajuns | 10 | 6 | 0 | 20 | 36 |
| Thundering Herd | 7 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 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 |
| Louisiana | Rushing | Emani Bailey | 17 carries, 94 yards, 2 TDs |
| Louisiana | Receiving | Michael Jefferson | 3 receptions, 108 yards |
| Marshall | Passing | Grant Wells | 15/26, 99 yards, 1 INT |
| Marshall | Rushing | Rasheen Ali | 20 carries, 160 yards, 3 TDs |
| Marshall | Receiving | Corey Gammage | 9 receptions, 50 yards |

## Rankings

Ranking movements Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking — = Not ranked RV = Received votes :
| | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week |
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Final |
| AP | 23 | RV | — | — | — | — | — | — | RV | 24 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 20 | 16 | 16 |
| Coaches | 23 | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | 25 | 21 | 23 | 21 | 17 | 18 |
| CFP | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | — | — | — | — | 24 | 23 | Not released |