No. 23 ULL beats Warhawks to go unbeaten in Sun Belt play

Updated Nov. 27, 2021 7:59 p.m. ET

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LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) — Emani Bailey scored on a 2-yard run to give No. 23 Louisiana-Lafayette a double-digit lead in the third quarter, and the Ragin’ Cajuns held off Louisiana-Monroe for a 21-16 victory Saturday.

The Ragin’ Cajuns (11-1, 8-0) won their school-record 11th straight game after a season-opening loss at Texas and went unbeaten in Sun Belt Conference play for the first time. Lafayette will host Appalachian State in the conference championship game next Saturday.

The Ragin' Cajuns also extended their win streak against Sun Belt West Division opponents to 17 games under fourth-year coach Billy Napier.

ULL jumped to an early 14-3 lead and was up 21-10 after Bailey’s touchdown ended a four-play, 85-yard drive with 5:01 left in the third.

But the Warhawks (4-8, 2-6) made it a one-score game with 1:35 left when Malik Jackson, who ran for 112 yards, broke up the middle for a 12-yard touchdown. But a two-point pass fell incomplete and ULL recovered the ensuing onside kick.

The Ragin' Cajuns scored on their first two possessions. Levi Lewis hit Neal Johnson for 55 yards one play after the opening kickoff and then scored on a 20-yard keeper. On their next series, running back Chris Smith connected with Kyren Lacy on a 37-yard scoring pass to make it 14-3.

The Warhawks cut the margin to 14-10 early in the second quarter when Rhett Rodriguez hit Boogie Knight over the middle for a 46-yard score.

Both teams missed opportunities the rest of the way, with both coming up short on three fourth-down chances.

Lewis finished 13 of 22 for 163 yards along with his rushing touchdown. Rodriguez was 11 of 24 for 145 yards and he ran for 39 yards.

Montrell Johnson and Bailey had 62 and 61 rushing yards, respectively, for the Ragin' Cajuns.

THE TAKEAWAY

Louisiana-Monroe: The Warhawks, who were 0-10 last season, improved their win total by four games under first-year coach Terry Bowden. But ULM, which was 4-3 in late October, ended the season on a five-game losing streak.

Louisiana-Lafayette: The Cajuns improved to 32-5 since the start of the 2019 season. ULL is also 15-1 in November games since Napier took over. The 11 wins also tied the school record for victories in a season with the Sun Belt championship game and a bowl game still to come.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

The Ragin’ Cajuns figure to remain in the poll for a fifth straight week. ULL had been ranked No. 23 in the preseason but dropped out after its opening loss at Texas.

UP NEXT

Louisiana-Monroe: Completed season.

Louisiana-Lafayette: Hosts Appalachian State in the Sun Belt Conference championship game next Saturday.

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Levi Lewis

Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns