By Sanderson “Snuffy” Smith
NEW ORLEANS – The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns return to the confines of the Caesars Superdome on Saturday afternoon when it battles Conference USA opponent Jacksonville State in the 23rd annual R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl.
Kickoff is slated for 1:15 p.m. The game will be televised live nationally on ESPN with Anish Shroff (pxp), Andre Ware (analyst) and Taylor Davis (sideline) providing the commentary.
Fans in the Lafayette area can listen to the call of Jay Walker (pxp), Gerald Broussard (analyst) and Cody Junot (sideline) on Hot 107.9 FM, 103.3 The Goat, KPEL 1420 AM or worldwide on the Varsity Network app.
Fans can also listen nationally on ESPN Radio with Marc Kestecher (pxp), Kelly Stouffer (analyst) and Ian Fitzsimmons (sideline) on the broadcast.
Louisiana, which finished 6-6 overall during the 2023 regular season, makes its school-record sixth consecutive bowl appearance and returns to New Orleans for the seventh time overall since 2011.
One of a Sun Belt Conference-record 12 teams competing in bowl games this season, the trip to the Superdome is the first for Louisiana since a 36-20 victory over Marshall on December 18, 2021. The Ragin’ Cajuns rallied from a 20-16 deficit after three quarters with a 20-point outburst to give Michael Desormeaux a win in his head coaching debut.
Making its first-ever bowl appearance in school history, JSU earned a bowl berth in its first season at the FBS level with an 8-4 record under head coach Rich Rodriguez. The Jacksonville, Alabama-based school was a Division II power before joining Division I in the mid-1990’s and moving to FBS and CUSA in July.
GAME 13 PREVIEW – Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (6-6) vs. Jacksonville State Gamecocks (8-4)
Stadium/Location: Caesars Superdome (73,208) / New Orleans, La.
Date/Time: Saturday, December 16 at 1:15 p.m.
TV/RADIO
TV: ESPN
Talent: Anish Shroff (PXP), Andre Ware (Analyst), Taylor Davis (Sideline)
Radio: Hot 107.9-FM, The GOAT 103.3, KPEL 1420 AM, Varsity Network
Talent: Jay Walker (PXP), Gerald Broussard (Analyst), Cody Junot (Sideline)
National Radio: ESPN Radio
Talent: Marc Kestecher (PXP), Kelly Stouffer (Analyst), Ian Fitzsimmons (Sideline)
SERIES HISTORY
Overall: Jax State leads, 1-0
In Lafayette: Jax State leads, 1-0
In Jacksonville: Never met
Neutral Sites: First meeting
Streak: Jax State +1
First Meeting: Jax State, 28-14 – 11/11/2000 in Lafayette
LOUISIANA TO PLAY IN SIXTH CONSECUTIVE BOWL GAME
• The Ragin’ Cajuns close out the 2023 season in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl as they take on Jacksonville State at 1:15 p.m. on ESPN.
• Louisiana is making its school-record, sixth consecutive bowl game after defeating ULM in the regular season finale on Nov. 25, 52-21.
• The game marks the second time the two teams have squared off with Jacksonville State winning the first matchup in 2000.
• Saturday’s game is the seventh appearance for Louisiana in the New Orleans Bowl as the Ragin’ Cajuns hold an official record of 3-1.
A LOOK AT THE RAGIN’ CAJUNS
• Louisiana’s defensive has been a force on opposing quarterbacks, as the Cajuns have recorded 32 sacks. The Ragin’ Cajuns are averaging 2.67 sacks per game, which ranks tied for 24th nationally.
• Louisiana’s offense has been equally as impressive as the Ragin’ Cajuns average 32.2 points per game, which ranks third in the Sun Belt.
• The Ragin’ Cajuns rushing attack ranks 31st in the country and second in the Sun Belt at 182.7 yards per game.
• Jacob Kibodi, who was put on scholarship following the win at UAB, leads the team in rushing with 729 yards to go along with seven touchdowns. Kibodi is averaging 5.7 yards per carry.
• Cameron Whitfield has made an impact defensively as he is the team’s leader in sacks with seven to go along with eight tackles for loss, which ranks third on the team. Whitfield was named the Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week following his performance at South Alabama in which he had 3.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.
• Chandler Fields, Louisiana’s third starting QB of the season, has thrown for 788 yards, seven touchdowns and completed 73.2% (71-of-97) of his passes in his three starts against Southern Miss, Troy and ULM.
• Over the last three weeks of the regular season (excluding championship weekend), Fields completion percentage ranks fifth nationally while he also ranked in the top 20 in passing touchdowns (7; t-15th) and passer rating (163.2; 16th).
• Kenneth Almendares has continued his stellar play from a year ago as he enters Saturday’s contest 13-for-14 on his field goal attempts and tied the school record for most consecutive field goals made at 18.
LOOKING BACK AT ULM
• Chandler Fields set the school’s single-game completion record after completing his last 15 passes to finish 18-of-20 to go along with 246 yards and two touchdowns.
• Louisiana’s 52 points were the most in a game at home against ULM and the 31-point margin of victory was the second largest in school history over the Warhawks.
• Neal Johnson registered his first multi-touchdown game of his career as he registered a pair of touchdowns on three catches for 67 yards.
• Elijah ‘Bill’ Davis ran for 109 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 14 carriers for his first career 100-yard performance.
• Jordan Lawson recorded a team-high 3.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks while Jalen Clark tallied a team-high eight tackles and an interception.
AGAINST THE GAMECOCKS
• Saturday’s meeting is the second meeting all-time with Jacksonville State leading the series 1-0.
• The two teams previously met on Nov. 11, 2000, with the Gamecocks winning, 28-14.
BOWL GAME HISTORY
• Louisiana is making its school record sixth consecutive bowl game and 13th all-time.
• Saturday’s game will be the seventh time in program history the Ragin’ Cajuns have played in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl.
• Louisiana has an official bowl record of 6-4.
CHANDLER TAKES OVER AS STARTING QB
• Chandler Fields became the third Louisiana starting quarterback this season after making the start against Southern Miss where he threw for 260 yards and two touchdowns while completing 24 of his 38 passes.
• Fields threw for 282 yards and three touchdowns at Troy against a defense that had only allowed nine passing touchdowns all season heading into the game. Fields spread the wealth as he completed a pass to 12 different receivers.
• In the win against ULM, Fields set the school record for completion percentage in a single game after completing 18 of his 20 attempts while throwing for a pair of touchdowns and running one in.
• Over the last three weeks of the regular season (excluding championship weekend), Fields completion percentage (73.2%) ranks fifth nationally while he also ranked in the top 20 in passing touchdowns (7; t-15th) and passer rating (163.2; 16th).
• No stranger to the starting role, Fields opened the 2022 season as the starter before suffering an injury and regained the starting role for the last three games of the season, leading the Ragin’ Cajuns to a bowl game with a win over Texas State in the regular season finale.
• Last season, Fields threw for 1,123 yards and 11 touchdowns and completed 106 of his 182 attempts.
• For his career, he has completed 201-of-321 passes for 2,159 yards and 19 touchdowns.
• The New Orleans native was one of the top quarterback prospects in the state of Louisiana and helped Archbishop Rummel to a 9-3 record his senior year and was the quarterback for NFL star Ja’Marr Chase.
OUR LADY OF LOURDES STADIUM COMING IN 2025
• Louisiana Athletics announced on November 16 its $65 million project to renovate the west side of the football stadium, the most significant improvement to the facility since its inception in 1971.
• The project will begin Dec. 11 and is anticipated to be completed before the 2025 season. The Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium west upper deck and lower bowl will be completely revitalized and create a modern gameday experience that embraces the rich history of festivity within the Cajun culture.
• ACSW & DLR Group Architects designed the project, and J.B. Mouton, LLC will serve as the builder.
• The new west side will feature 34 suites, 40 loge boxes, 524 club seats, an indoor club, five new chairback sections in the lower west bowl and enhanced amenities for all fans with a total capacity of more than 30,000.
• Premium seating opportunities in Lourdes Stadium will revolutionize the way Ragin’ Cajuns fans take in the action for every game. Each premium seating area from luxury suites, club seats and loge boxes offers something unique that has never been available at Cajun Field.
Fans are encouraged to stay engaged with the Ragin’ Cajuns by downloading the #GeauxCajuns app. Click here for iOS/Apple platforms and here for Android platforms.
Follow the Ragin’ Cajuns on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram (@RaginCajuns) to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Louisiana Athletics.
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