2021 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team

2021 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football
2021 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football
Sun Belt champion; Sun Belt West Division champion; New Orleans Bowl champion
Sun Belt Championship Game, W 24–16 vs. Appalachian State
New Orleans Bowl, W 36–21 vs. Marshall
Conference	Sun Belt Conference
	West Division
Ranking
Coaches	No. 18
AP	No. 16
Record	13–1 (8–0 Sun Belt)
Head coach	Billy Napier (4th season; regular season); Michael Desormeaux (interim; bowl game);
Co-offensive coordinator	Michael Desormeaux (1st season)
Co-offensive coordinator	Tim Leger (1st season)
Offensive scheme	Spread
Defensive coordinator	Patrick Toney (2nd season)
Base defense	4–2–5
Home stadium	Cajun Field
	Seasons ← 2020 2022 →

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.

2021 Sun Belt Conference football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
East Division
Appalachian State xy	7	–	1	10	–	4
Georgia State	6	–	2	8	–	5
Coastal Carolina	6	–	2	11	–	2
Troy	3	–	5	5	–	7
Georgia Southern	2	–	6	3	–	9
West Division
No. 16 Louisiana xy$	8	–	0	13	–	1
Texas State	3	–	5	4	–	8
Louisiana–Monroe	2	–	6	4	–	8
South Alabama	2	–	6	5	–	7
Arkansas State	1	–	7	2	–	10
Championship: Louisiana 24, Appalachian State 16
$ – Conference champion x – Division champion/co-champions y – Championship game participant Rankings from AP Poll

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
Clinton Anokwuru OLB	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
Key'Savalyn Barnes CB	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
Jathan Caldwell TE	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
Cejae Ceasar S	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
Jalen Clark S	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
T. J. Fiailoa OL	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
Kendre' Gant ILB	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
Cameron George OLB	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
Hunter Herring QB	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
George Jackson OL	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
Montrell Johnson RB	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
Lance Legendre QB	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
Tyrone Lewis, Jr. S	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
Mackey Maillho OL	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
Zy McDonald QB	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
K. C. Ossai ILB	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
Ja'Marian Peterson OLB	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
John Stephens, Jr. WR	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
Dre'lyn Washington RB	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
Cameron Whitfield OLB	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
Kendrell Williams RB	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
Robert Williams WR	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
Terrence Williams ATH	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:

Source:^[1]

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:^[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 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

Personnel

2021 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team roster

Players

Coaches

Offense

Pos.	#	Name	Class
RB	`0`	Jacob Kibodi	Jr
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
WR	`7`	John Stephens Jr.	Jr
WR	`8`	Michael Jefferson	Jr
QB	`8`	Zy McDonald	Fr
QB	`9`	Lance Legendre	Fr
QB	`10`	Ben Wooldridge	So
WR	`11`	Calif Gossett	Sr
WR	`13`	Dalen Cambre	Fr
QB	`15`	Hunter Herring	Fr
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
RB	`23`	T. J. Wisham	Jr
TE	`24`	Pearse Migl	So
WR	`25`	Quincy Curry	Fr
WR	`26`	Kaleb Carter	So
WR	`27`	Trevor Russell	Jr
QB	`28`	Luke Bogan	Fr
WR	`29`	Peter LeBlanc	So
RB	`30`	Jordan Griffin	So
RB	`31`	Michael Orphey Jr.	So
WR	`33`	Pat Hughes	Jr
RB	`34`	Mike Martin	Fr
RB	`37`	Tyreese Jackson	Fr
WR	`38`	Da'Jon Bonnee	Fr
TE	`41`	Joe Lombardi Jr.	Fr
TE	`44`	Christian Sabatini	Fr
OL	`50`	Nathan Thomas	Fr
OL	`53`	AJ Gillie	Fr
OL	`54`	Tyler Brown	Fr
OL	`55`	Landon Burton	Fr
OL	`58`	O'Cyrus Torrence	So
OL	`64`	Shane Vallot	Jr
OL	`65`	Carlos Rubio	Jr
OL	`67`	Ken Marks	Sr
OL	`68`	T. J. Fiailoa	Jr
OL	`70`	Jax Harrington	Fr
OL	`71`	George Jackson	Fr
OL	`73`	David Hudson	Jr
OL	`74`	Max Mitchell	Jr
OL	`76`	Matthew Anderson	Fr
OL	`77`	King McGowen	Fr
OL	`78`	Luke Junkunc	So
OL	`79`	Logan Newell	Fr
WR	`80`	Devon Pauley	So
TE	`82`	Rhett Guidry	Fr
TE	`83`	Damani Burrell	So
WR	`84`	Leroy Franklin	Sr
WR	`85`	Noah McCollum	Fr
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
S	`3`	Tyrone Lewis Jr.	Fr
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
LB	`15`	Ja'Marian Peterson	Fr
CB	`16`	AJ 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`	Amir McDaniel	Fr
CB	`22`	Jayrin Wilson	Jr
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`	Korian Wilson	Fr
S	`30`	Grid Isidore Jr.	Jr
S	`31`	Tyree Skipper	Fr
LB	`33`	Tyler Guidry	So
S	`34`	Scottie Johnson	Fr
LB	`35`	Ahmad Johnson	Fr
LB	`36`	Clinton Anokwuru	Fr
LB	`38`	Jasper Williams	So
CB	`39`	Dabari Hawkins	Fr
LB	`40`	Anthony Jordan	Jr
S	`41`	Ty'Darien Quinney	Fr
LB	`43`	Jourdon Quibodeaux	Jr
LB	`44`	Tanner Wiggins	Jr
LB	`45`	Caleb Kibodi	Fr
DL	`46`	Jordan Lawson	Fr
LB	`48`	Troy Krutchen	Jr
DL	`51`	Lakeidrick George Jr.	So
LB	`52`	Bralyn Richardson	Fr
LB	`80`	Alex Self	Fr
DL	`90`	Mason Narcisse	Fr
DL	`91`	Sonny Hazard	Fr
DL	`92`	Dominique Ratcliff	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	Sr
K	`40`	Logan Klotz	Fr
K	`45`	Kenneth Almendares	So
P	`47`	Rhys Byrns	Jr
LS	`49`	Paul Boudreaux	Jr
LS	`52`	James Segrest	Fr
K	`84`	Thomas Leo	So

Head coach

Billy Napier (Furman)

Coordinators/assistant coaches

Michael Desormeaux (Louisiana)
Co-offensive coordinator/TE
Tim Leger (McNeese State)
Co-offensive coordinator/recruiting coordinator/WR
Patrick Toney (Southeastern Louisiana)
Defensive coordinator/OLB
Chris Couch (Georgia Southern)
Special teams coordinator
Jabbar Juluke (Southern)
Running backs
Tim Leger (McNeese State)
Recruiting coordinator/WR
Rory Segrest (Alabama)
Defensive line
Jeff Burris (Notre Dame)
Cornerbacks
Galen Scott (Illinois State)
Inside linebackers
Jeff Norrid (Arkansas)
Offensive linemen
Darnell Stapleton (Rutgers)
Assistant OL
Wes Neighbors (Alabama)
Safeties

Legend

(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible

Injured
Redshirt

Roster
Last update: 22 April 2021

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 Stadium Austin, TX	FOX	L 18–38	91,113
September 11	6:00 p.m.	Nicholls*		Cajun Field Lafayette, LA	ESPN3	W 27–24	25,417
September 16	7:00 p.m.	Ohio*		Cajun Field Lafayette, LA	ESPN	W 49–14	17,709
September 25	5:00 p.m.	at Georgia Southern		Paulson Stadium Statesboro, GA	ESPN+	W 28–20	17,522
October 2	7:00 p.m.	at South Alabama		Hancock Whitney Stadium Mobile, AL	ESPN+	W 20–18	16,764
October 12	6:30 p.m.	Appalachian State		Cajun Field Lafayette, LA	ESPN2	W 41–13	20,066
October 21	6:30 p.m.	at Arkansas State		Centennial Bank Stadium Jonesboro, AR	ESPNU	W 28–27	7,138
October 30	11:00 a.m.	Texas State		Cajun Field Lafayette, LA	ESPNU	W 45–0	28,794
November 4	6:30 p.m.	Georgia State		Cajun Field Lafayette, LA	ESPN	W 21–17	16,007
November 13	2:30 p.m.	at Troy		Veterans Memorial Stadium Troy, AL	ESPN+	W 35–21	24,738
November 20	3:00 p.m.	at Liberty*		Williams Stadium Lynchburg, VA	ESPNU	W 42–14	15,564
November 27	3:00 p.m.	Louisiana–Monroe		Cajun Field Lafayette, LA (Battle on the Bayou)	ESPNU	W 21–16	18,447
December 4	2:30 p.m.	Appalachian State	No. 24	Cajun Field Lafayette, LA (Sun Belt Championship Game)	ESPN	W 24–16	31,014
December 18	8:15 p.m.	vs. Marshall*	No. 23	Caesars Superdome New Orleans, LA (New Orleans Bowl)	ESPN	W 36–21	21,642
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll (and CFP Rankings, after November 2) - Released prior to game All times are in Central time

^[18]^[19]

Game summaries

At Texas

Louisiana at Texas

	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 23 Ragin' Cajuns	3	3	6	6	18
• No. 21 Longhorns	7	7	14	10	38

Date: September 4, 2021
Location: Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium
Austin, TX
Game start: 3:35 p.m. CDT
Elapsed time: 3 hours and 23 minutes
Game attendance: 91,113
Game weather: Sunny
Referee: Tuta Salaam
TV announcers (FOX): Tim Brando (play-by-play) and Spencer Tillman (analyst)

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
	Rushing	Chris Smith	11 carries, 54 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Jalen Williams	5 receptions, 71 yards
Texas	Passing	Hudson Card	14/21, 224 yards, 2 TDs
	Rushing	Bijan Robinson	20 carries, 103 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Jordan Whittington	7 receptions, 113 yards, 1 TD

Nicholls

Nicholls at Louisiana

	1	2	3	4	Total
RV (FCS) Colonels	7	3	0	14	24
• RV Ragin' Cajuns	10	7	7	3	27

Date: September 11, 2021
Location: Cajun Field
Lafayette, LA
Game start: 6:04 p.m. CDT
Elapsed time: 3 hours and 15 minutes
Game attendance: 25,417
Game weather: 85 °F (29 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: NE 5 MPH
Referee: Trennis Livingston
TV announcers (ESPN3): Dan McDonald (play–by–play) and Scott Brazda (analyst)

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
	Rushing	Lindsey Scott Jr.	18 carries, 121 yards
	Receiving	Dai'Jean Dixon	14 receptions, 198 yards, 2 TDs
Louisiana	Passing	Levi Lewis	19/33, 304 yards, 2 TDs
	Rushing	Chris Smith	11 carries, 46 yards
	Receiving	Michael Jefferson	3 receptions, 84 yards, 1 TD

Ohio

Ohio at Louisiana

	1	2	3	4	Total
Bobcats	0	7	7	0	14
• Ragin' Cajuns	7	14	7	21	49

Date: September 18, 2021
Location: Cajun Field
Lafayette, LA
Game start: 7:05 p.m. CDT
Elapsed time: 3 hours and 32 minutes
Game attendance: 17,709
Game weather: 79 °F (26 °C) • Weather: Cloudy • Wind: S 9 MPH
Referee: Wayne Winkler
TV announcers (ESPN): Matt Barrie (play–by–play), Roddy Jones (analyst), and Harry Lyles Jr. (sideline reporter)

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
	Rushing	Armani Rogers	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	Montrell Johnson	13 carries, 84 yards, 4 TDs
	Receiving	Kaleb Carter	3 receptions, 51 yards

At Georgia Southern

Louisiana at Georgia Southern

	1	2	3	4	Total
• Ragin' Cajuns	0	14	14	0	28
Eagles	7	6	0	7	20

Date: September 25, 2021
Location: Paulson Stadium
Statesboro, GA
Game start: 5:03 p.m. CDT
Elapsed time: 3 hours and 29 minutes
Game attendance: 17,522
Game weather: 59 °F (15 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: NW 3 MPH
Referee: Kyle Olson
TV announcers (ESPN+): Matt Stewart (play–by–play) and Danny Waugh (analyst)

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
	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

Louisiana at South Alabama

	1	2	3	4	Total
• Ragin' Cajuns	14	6	0	0	20
Jaguars	0	6	6	6	18

Date: October 2, 2021
Location: Hancock Whitney Stadium
Mobile, AL
Game start: 7:00 p.m. CDT
Elapsed time: 3 hours and 11 minutes
Game attendance: 16,764
Game weather: Rainy • Wind: SE 6 MPH
Referee: Marshall Lewis
TV announcers (ESPN+): J. D. Byars (play–by–play) and Pat Greenwood (analyst)

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
	Rushing	Emani Bailey	7 carries, 81 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Neal Johnson	1 reception, 18 yards
South Alabama	Passing	Jake Bentley	19/29, 243 yards
	Rushing	Bryan Hill	22 carries, 81 yards, 2 TDs
	Receiving	Jalen Tolbert	6 receptions, 143 yards

Appalachian State

Appalachian State at Louisiana

	1	2	3	4	Total
RV Mountaineers	3	3	7	0	13
• Ragin' Cajuns	20	0	7	14	41

Date: October 12, 2021
Location: Cajun Field
Lafayette, LA
Game start: 6:35 p.m. CDT
Elapsed time: 3 hours and 19 minutes
Game attendance: 20,066
Game weather: 84 °F (29 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: S 9 MPH
Referee: Jeremy Parker
TV announcers (ESPN2): Chris Cotter (play-by-play) and Cole Cubelic (analyst)

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
	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	Kyren Lacy	2 receptions, 57 yards, 1 TD

At Arkansas State

Louisiana at Arkansas State

	1	2	3	4	Total
• RV Ragin' Cajuns	0	14	14	0	28
Red Wolves	0	10	17	0	27

Date: October 21, 2021
Location: Centennial Bank Stadium
Jonesboro, AR
Game start: 6:33 p.m. CDT
Elapsed time: 3 hours and 30 minutes
Game attendance: 7,138
Game weather: 68 °F (20 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: NW 8 MPH
Referee: Kyle Olson
TV announcers (ESPNU): Lowell Galindo (play–by–play) and Rene Ingoglia (analyst)

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
	Rushing	Chris Smith	24 carries, 238 yards, 2 TDs
	Receiving	Dontae Fleming	2 receptions, 47 yards
Arkansas State	Passing	Layne Hatcher	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

Texas State at Louisiana

	1	2	3	4	Total
Bobcats	0	0	0	0	0
• RV Ragin' Cajuns	0	17	18	10	45

Date: October 30, 2021
Location: Cajun Field
Lafayette, LA
Game start: 11:02 a.m. CDT
Elapsed time: 3 hours and 5 minutes
Game attendance: 28,794
Game weather: 65 °F (18 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: NW 9 MPH
Referee: Trennis Livingston
TV announcers (ESPNU): Kevin Brown (play–by–play) and Hutson Mason (analyst)

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
	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

Georgia State at Louisiana

	1	2	3	4	Total
Panthers	3	0	7	7	17
• Ragin' Cajuns	0	0	7	14	21

Date: November 4, 2021
Location: Cajun Field
Lafayette, LA
Game start: 6:36 p.m. CDT
Elapsed time: 3 hours and 7 minutes
Game attendance: 16,007
Game weather: 54 °F (12 °C) • Weather: Cloudy • Wind: N 11 MPH
Referee: Marshall Lewis
TV announcers (ESPN): Matt Barrie (play–by–play), Roddy Jones (analyst) and Alex Chappell (sideline reporter)

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
	Rushing	Tucker Gregg	23 carries, 99 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Roger Carter	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

Louisiana at Troy

	1	2	3	4	Total
• Ragin' Cajuns	14	0	14	7	35
Trojans	10	3	0	8	21

Date: November 13, 2021
Location: Veterans Memorial Stadium
Troy, AL
Game start: 2:35 p.m. CST
Elapsed time: 3 hours and 34 minutes
Game attendance: 24,738
Game weather: 59 °F (15 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: SE 11 MPH
Referee: Kyle Olson
TV announcers (ESPN+): Will Kollmeyer (play–by–play) and Ben Stanfield (analyst)

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
	Rushing	Chris Smith	15 carries, 102 yards
	Receiving	Michael Jefferson	2 receptions, 71 yards, 1 TD
Troy	Passing	Gunnar Watson	29/55, 350 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
	Rushing	Kimani Vidal	11 carries, 21 yards
	Receiving	Tez Johnson	6 receptions, 83 yards, 1 TD

At Liberty

Louisiana at Liberty

	1	2	3	4	Total
• Ragin' Cajuns	7	14	7	14	42
Flames	0	7	7	0	14

Date: November 20, 2021
Location: Williams Stadium
Lynchburg, VA
Game start: 3:02 p.m. CST
Elapsed time: 3 hours and 20 minutes
Game attendance: 15,564
Game weather: 48 °F (9 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: S 3 MPH
Referee: Wayne Winkler
TV announcers (ESPNU): Kevin Brown (play–by–play) and Hutson Mason (analyst)

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
	Rushing	Emani Bailey	13 carries, 60 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Peter LeBlanc	2 receptions, 38 yards
Liberty	Passing	Malik Willis	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

Louisiana–Monroe at Louisiana

	1	2	3	4	Total
Warhawks	3	7	0	6	16
• Ragin' Cajuns	14	0	7	0	21

Date: November 27, 2021
Location: Cajun Field
Lafayette, LA
Game start: 3:02 p.m. CST
Elapsed time: 3 hours and 6 minutes
Game attendance: 18,447
Game weather: 56 °F (13 °C) • Weather: Rain • Wind: NW 1 MPH
Referee: William Bonet
TV announcers (ESPNU): Clay Matvick (play–by–play), Rocky Boiman (analyst), and Tiffany Blackmon (sideline reporter)

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
	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)

Appalachian State at Louisiana

	1	2	3	4	Total
Mountaineers	0	7	3	6	16
• No. 24 Ragin' Cajuns	7	10	0	7	24

Date: December 4, 2021
Location: Cajun Field
Lafayette, LA
Game start: 2:40 p.m. CST
Elapsed time: 3 hours and 45 minutes
Game attendance: 31,014
Game weather: 79 °F (26 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: NW 3 MPH
Referee: Kyle Olson
TV announcers (ESPN): Dave Pasch (play–by–play), Dusty Dvoracek (analyst), and Tom Luginbill (sideline reporter)

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
	Rushing	Camerun Peoples	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)

Marshall vs. Louisiana

	1	2	3	4	Total
• No. 23 Ragin' Cajuns	10	6	0	20	36
Thundering Herd	7	7	7	0	21

Date: December 18, 2021
Location: Caesars Superdome
New Orleans, LA
Game start: 8:15 p.m. CST
Elapsed time: 3 hours and 33 minutes
Game attendance: 21,642
Game weather: N/A (indoors)
Referee: Mike Cuttone
TV announcers (ESPN): Anish Shroff (play–by–play), Mike Golic Jr. (analyst), and Taylor McGregor (sideline reporter)

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
	Rushing	Emani Bailey	17 carries, 94 yards, 2 TDs
	Receiving	Michael Jefferson	3 receptions, 108 yards
Marshall	Passing	Grant Wells	15/26, 99 yards, 1 INT
	Rushing	Rasheen Ali	20 carries, 160 yards, 3 TDs
	Receiving	Corey Gammage	9 receptions, 50 yards

Rankings

Ranking movements
**Legend:** ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
	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									—	—	—	—	24	23	Not released

References

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Search

2021 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team

Contents

Preseason

Recruiting class

Award watch lists

Preseason

Sun Belt coaches poll

Sun Belt Preseason All-Conference teams

Personnel

Schedule

Game summaries

At Texas

Nicholls

Ohio

At Georgia Southern

At South Alabama

Appalachian State

At Arkansas State

Texas State

Georgia State

At Troy

At Liberty

Louisiana–Monroe

Appalachian State (SBC Championship)

Vs. Marshall (New Orleans Bowl)

Rankings

References

2021 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football

Sun Belt champion Sun Belt West Division champion New Orleans Bowl champion
Sun Belt Championship Game, W 24–16 vs. Appalachian State
New Orleans Bowl, W 36–21 vs. Marshall
Conference	Sun Belt Conference
Division	West Division
Ranking
Coaches	No. 18
AP	No. 16
Record	13–1 (8–0 Sun Belt)
Head coach	Billy Napier (4th season; regular season) Michael Desormeaux (interim; bowl game)
Co-offensive coordinator	Michael Desormeaux (1st season)
Co-offensive coordinator	Tim Leger (1st season)
Offensive scheme	Spread
Defensive coordinator	Patrick Toney (2nd season)
Base defense	4–2–5
Home stadium	Cajun Field
Seasons ← 2020 2022 →