2021 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team explained
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
|}Source:[1]
Award watch lists
Listed in the order that they were released
Preseason
Sources:
[2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] 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.[17]
West Division1 | Louisiana | 49 (9) |
2 | Arkansas State | 38 (1) |
3 | South Alabama | 27 |
4 | Texas State | 25 |
5 | Louisiana–Monroe | 11 | |
East DivisionT1 | 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
Offense
1st team
2nd team
Defense
1st team
- Bralen Trahan – Defensive back, RS-JR
2nd team
- Zi'Yon Hill – Defensive lineman, RS-JR
- Lorenzo McCaskill – Linebacker, RS-JR
- Eric Garror – Defensive back, JR
Special teams
1st team
- Rhys Byrns – Punter, JR
- Chris Smith – Return Specialist, RS-SO
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.
[18] [19]
Game summaries
At Texas
See also: 2021 Texas Longhorns football team.
style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
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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 | | 11 carries, 54 yards, 1 TD |
Receiving | Jalen Williams | 5 receptions, 71 yards |
Texas | Passing | | 14/21, 224 yards, 2 TDs |
Rushing | | 20 carries, 103 yards, 1 TD |
Receiving | | 7 receptions, 113 yards, 1 TD | |
Nicholls
See also: 2021 Nicholls Colonels football team.
style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
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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 | | 26/37, 359 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT |
Rushing | Lindsey Scott Jr. | 18 carries, 121 yards |
Receiving | | 14 receptions, 198 yards, 2 TDs |
Louisiana | Passing | Levi Lewis | 19/33, 304 yards, 2 TDs |
Rushing | Chris Smith | 11 carries, 46 yards |
Receiving | | 3 receptions, 84 yards, 1 TD | |
Ohio
See also: 2021 Ohio Bobcats football team.
style= | Pregame line! | style= | 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 | | 12/22, 122 yards, 2 TDs |
Rushing | | 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 | | 13 carries, 84 yards, 4 TDs |
Receiving | Kaleb Carter | 3 receptions, 51 yards | |
At Georgia Southern
See also: 2021 Georgia Southern Eagles football team.
style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
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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
See also: 2021 South Alabama Jaguars football team.
style= | Pregame line! | style= | 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 | | 7 carries, 81 yards, 1 TD |
Receiving | Neal Johnson | 1 reception, 18 yards |
South Alabama | Passing | | 19/29, 243 yards |
Rushing | Bryan Hill | 22 carries, 81 yards, 2 TDs |
Receiving | | 6 receptions, 143 yards | |
Appalachian State
See also: 2021 Appalachian State Mountaineers football team.
style= | Pregame line! | style= | 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 | | 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 | | 2 receptions, 57 yards, 1 TD | |
At Arkansas State
See also: 2021 Arkansas State Red Wolves football team.
style= | Pregame line! | style= | 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 | | 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
See also: 2021 Texas State Bobcats football team.
style= | Pregame line! | style= | 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
See also: 2021 Georgia State Panthers football team.
style= | Pregame line! | style= | 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 | | 8/19, 98 yards, 1 TD |
Rushing | Tucker Gregg | 23 carries, 99 yards, 1 TD |
Receiving | | 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
See also: 2021 Troy Trojans football team.
style= | Pregame line! | style= | 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 | | 29/55, 350 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
Rushing | | 11 carries, 21 yards |
Receiving | | 6 receptions, 83 yards, 1 TD | |
At Liberty
See also: 2021 Liberty Flames football team.
style= | Pregame line! | style= | 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 | | 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
See also: 2021 Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks football team and Battle on the Bayou.
style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
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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)
See also: 2021 Appalachian State Mountaineers football team and 2021 Sun Belt Conference Football Championship Game.
style= | Pregame line! | style= | 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 | | 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)
See also: 2021 Marshall Thundering Herd football team and 2021 New Orleans Bowl.
style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
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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 | | 15/26, 99 yards, 1 INT |
Rushing | | 20 carries, 160 yards, 3 TDs |
Receiving | Corey Gammage | 9 receptions, 50 yards | |
Notes and References
- Web site: Louisiana Football Adds 12 to 2021 Signing Class . Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns . 23 April 2021 . en.
- Web site: Levi Lewis Named to 2021 Maxwell Award Watch List . Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns . 26 July 2021 . en.
- Web site: Bralen Trahan Earns Spot on 2021 Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List . Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns . 26 July 2021 . en.
- Web site: Levi Lewis Earns Spot on 2021 Davey O’Brien Award Preseason Watch List . Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns . 26 July 2021 . en.
- Web site: Chris Smith Named to 2021 Doak Walker Award Watch List . Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns . 26 July 2021 . en.
- Web site: Shane Vallot Named to Rimington Trophy Watch List . Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns . 26 July 2021 . en.
- Web site: Levi Lewis Nominated to 2021 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team . Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns . 26 July 2021 . en.
- Web site: Johnny Lumpkin Earns Spot on Mackey Award Watch List . Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns . 26 July 2021 . en.
- Web site: Bralen Trahan Named to Bronko Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List . Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns . 6 August 2021 . en.
- Web site: O’Cyrus Torrence Selected to Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List . Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns . 6 August 2021 . en.
- Web site: Rhys Byrns Selected to Ray Guy Award Preseason Watch List . Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns . 6 August 2021 . en.
- Web site: Levi Lewis Listed on Wuerffel Trophy Watch List . Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns . 6 August 2021 . en.
- Web site: Chris Smith Named to Paul Hornung Award Preseason Watch List . Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns . 6 August 2021 . en.
- Web site: Levi Lewis Lands on College Football Performer of the Year Watch List . Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns . 6 August 2021 . en.
- Web site: Levi Lewis Recognized on 2021 Manning Award Watch List . Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns . 6 August 2021 . en.
- Web site: Ken Marks Selected to Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Preseason Watch List . Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns . 6 August 2021 . en.
- Web site: Sun Belt Announces Football Preseason Awards & Poll . sunbeltsports.org . 26 July 2021 . en.
- Web site: 2021 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Football Schedule. 22 April 2021.
- Web site: Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns . ESPN . 22 April 2021.