Saturday, Sept. 25, 2004

LAFAYETTE - Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns looked to win their first Sun Belt opener and first conference opener since 1994.

The Cajuns responded with a 24-17 victory over Sun Belt-rival Middle Tennessee. UL extended its home winning streak to five straight, and are now a perfect 3-0 at home under Bustle in ESPN Regional Television games.

The Cajuns opened the scoring with a touchdown drive off the opening kick-off. Starting from the 34 yard-line, Jerry Babb took the Cajuns 66 yards on seven plays. It was Babb's 33-yard scramble on third-and-nine that brought the Cajuns into Middle Tennessee territory. Chester Johnson followed with a 21-yard run, before Babb hit Lawrence Johnson with a five-yard pass and Dwight Lindon found the end zone on a five-yard sprint.

The Blue Raiders countered after the Cajuns turned the ball over following an unsuccessful attempt on fourth-and-2 from the MT 31-yard line. Middle Tennessee marched 70 yards on eight plays, scoring on a 15-yard touchdown pass from Clint Marks to Pierre Ingram.

Both teams traded missed field goals in the second quarter. Sean Comiskey's 48-yard attempt was blocked by Ingram, while his counterpart, Colby Smith, was wide-left from 40 yards.

Following the Blue Raiders missed field goal, UL marched 38 yards in five plays before Johnson fumbled at the MT 37 yard-line, turning the ball over to the visitors.

Twelve plays later, Eugene Gross rushed up the middle for a one-yard score to give Middle Tennessee a 14-7 advantage.

The Cajuns took their next drive 79 yards over 10 plays to score the equalizer. Babb connected with senior wide-out B.J. Crist (left) for the 10-yard score with 25 seconds left in the first half.

The touchdown marked the second straight game with a score for Crist, who hauled in a 39-yard toss from Babb last week at Kansas State.

The Cajuns scored in the third quarter thanks to a miscue by the Blue Raiders. David Schexnayder's punt hit a Middle Tennessee blocker and the loose ball was recovered by Kemmie Lewis.

The Cajuns gained only one yard on three plays and settled for a 31-yard field goal by Comiskey, but a personal foul penalty gave the Cajuns new life.

On the next play, Babb connected with Xavier Campbell on a seven-yard touchdown, giving the Cajuns a 21-14 lead with 7:30 left in the period. The score was Campbell's first career touchdown as a Ragin' Cajun.

The teams traded field goals early in the final quarter. Comiskey hit from 38 yards at 14:51 and Smith connected from 37 yards at 10:55.

The Cajuns were in position to increase their lead following a Blue Raiders turnover, but Comiskey missed his second field goal of the game.

Wes Simon recovered a Eugene Gross fumble at the MT 26 yard-line, but the Cajuns could not gain any yards. On third-and-10, Babb quick snapped the ball to catch the Blue Raiders off-side, but the officials ruled that there was no penalty on the play.

Comiskey's 44-yard miss was only the fifth miss in 27 career attempts shorter than 45 yards.

The Blue Raiders responded with a valiant march down the field in an attempt to tie the game. With 39 seconds remaining, Antwain Spann intercepted Marks at the Cajuns one yard-line.

Babb took a pair of kneel-downs to seal the victory for UL.

<a href='http://www.ragincajuns.com/football/Recaps/2004/092504vs.MT.htm' target='_blank'>LINK</a>