TXST FOOTBALL
The Sun Belt West Division lead is on the line as Texas State hosts the Ragin’ Cajuns in a Tuesday night showdown that will be broadcast on ESPN2.
The Bobcats and Head Coach G.J. Kinne will look to pull off their first win over the Cajuns that will create a five-way tie for first place in the West Division along with Arkansas State, Louisiana Monroe and South Alabama.
“[Cajuns] are probably the best team we will play all year,” Kinne said. “They are really talented and well coached. Their resume speaks for itself and who they have played with.”
The Cajuns are coming off a 34-24 win over the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers that clinch bowl eligibility for the program.
The Cajuns offensively are led by quarterback Ben Wooldridge who has passed for 1,785 yards and 15 touchdowns. In the win against Coastal Carolina, Wooldridge passed for a season high 373 yards along with three touchdowns. He also rushed for 124 yards and five touchdowns.
Wooldridge’s main targets in the passing game have been tight end Terrance Carter with 29 catches for 465 yards and four touchdowns along with wide receiver Lance LeGendre with 20 catches for 381 yards and four touchdowns.
In the run game, running back Bill Davis leads the team in rushing with 80 carries for 509 yards and three touchdowns. Running back Zylan Perry is second in rushing with 376 yards on 57 carries and one touchdowns.
Through seven games, the Cajuns are averaging 34.1 points per game.
“Their personnel really stand out to me,” Kinne said. “Last year when we played them, they were trying to find their offensive identity. They have found it, and they are efficient. Their quarterback is playing at a high level and their offensive line is big and is a real weapon. Their tight ends are dangerous both in the run and pass game. Their receivers are very solid and the running backs are special.”
On defense, the Cajuns are led by linebacker K.C. Ossao with 59 total tackles and 31 solo tackles. Linebacker Carmycah Glass is second with 38 total tackles and 22 solo tackles.
The Cajun defense has held opposing offenses to just 22.8 points per game.
The history of the Bobcat- Cajuns series dates back to 2013 when Texas State first joined the Sun Belt. Since joining the conference, the Bobcats and the Cajuns have played every year.
However, the series historically has been lopsided in favor of the Cajuns with the school down in Lafayette winning all ten games against the Bobcats. Between 20132022, the Cajuns have been victorious over the Bobcats by more than one possession.
In their last meeting, the Bobcats went up 3021 in the fourth quarter before the Cajuns scored two touchdowns in the final six minutes of the game to escape with a 3430 win.
Kickoff for the Bobcats- Ragin’ Cajuns is set for 6:30 p.m.
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The Bobcats will play their first Tuesday night game since 2014. Photo submitted by Texas State Athletics
