https://www.acadiananewsfirst.com/2026/1...ul-mascot/

10 years since the mysterious disappearance of Cayenne the Pepper, UL is set to unveil a new mascot. The university hasn't announced much outside of some cryptic billboards showing a zoomed in eyeball around town. People immediately drew the conclusion that it's a Catahoula, which in my opinion is a beautiful dog. And the state dog of Louisiana.

I know some fans wanted to see the Albino Alligator adopted, but I think the Catahoula is a great idea. It's a really playful energetic breed and the kids will love it.

And of course, it's just a mascot. Ragin' Cajuns ain't going anywhere.

I once owned one ... the cur loves to roam...

(10-30-2026 01:17 PM)geaux.cajuns Wrote:  https://www.acadiananewsfirst.com/2026/1...ul-mascot/

10 years since the mysterious disappearance of Cayenne the Pepper, UL is set to unveil a new mascot. The university hasn't announced much outside of some cryptic billboards showing a zoomed in eyeball around town. People immediately drew the conclusion that it's a Catahoula, which in my opinion is a beautiful dog. And the state dog of Louisiana.

I know some fans wanted to see the Albino Alligator adopted, but I think the Catahoula is a great idea. It's a really playful energetic breed and the kids will love it.

And of course, it's just a mascot. Ragin' Cajuns ain't going anywhere.

Catahoula Dog is great as a live mascot. It's distinctly Louisianian. A white alligator would be much cooler, but I guess they aren't as easy to bring around to athletic events unfortunately. It would even work well as a costumed mascot, but I guess you have more reason to bring back Cayenne the pepper now. Please do.

So are you going to be the Louisiana Catahoula dogs or are you still Ragin Cajuns?

(10-30-2026 01:17 PM)geaux.cajuns Wrote:  https://www.acadiananewsfirst.com/2026/1...ul-mascot/

10 years since the mysterious disappearance of Cayenne the Pepper, UL is set to unveil a new mascot. The university hasn't announced much outside of some cryptic billboards showing a zoomed in eyeball around town. People immediately drew the conclusion that it's a Catahoula, which in my opinion is a beautiful dog. And the state dog of Louisiana.

I know some fans wanted to see the Albino Alligator adopted, but I think the Catahoula is a great idea. It's a really playful energetic breed and the kids will love it.

And of course, it's just a mascot. Ragin' Cajuns ain't going anywhere.

A Tech guy's opinion doesn't matter, but I like it. Never a fan of the pepper, but this works and is very unique to Louisiana.

Isn't this breed the "Catahoula Cur"?? Great hunting dogs. And I think many have one blue eye and one brown eye. Or, maybe that's just folk lore. Anyway, I am a HUGE dog lover, so kudos to ULL for adopting a dog as a mascot.

The Saints have "Gumbo" a St. Bernard...or did at one time.

(10-30-2026 03:12 PM)High Country Student Wrote:  So are you going to be the Louisiana Catahoula dogs or are you still Ragin Cajuns?

Still the Ragin’ Cajuns. Just like Tennessee and Smokey.

What happened to the pepper? Other teams have dogs. The pepper was unique.

Imagine if Western Kentucky got rid of Big Red for a dog.

(10-30-2026 04:16 PM)Yosef181 Wrote:  What happened to the pepper? Other teams have dogs. The pepper was unique.

Imagine if Western Kentucky got rid of Big Red for a dog.

We want kids to keep coming to games. Cayenne terrified kids lol.

Wish we would have went with the gator, since... we're in South Louisiana and have gators on our campus. Probably would have gotten push back for trying to be the Florida Gators, but we're still the Cajuns. Just with a costumed mascot for kids to take pictures with.

No one calls Miami the Miami Ibises. Or the Tulane Pelicans.

(10-30-2026 01:17 PM)geaux.cajuns Wrote:  https://www.acadiananewsfirst.com/2026/1...ul-mascot/

10 years since the mysterious disappearance of Cayenne the Pepper, UL is set to unveil a new mascot. The university hasn't announced much outside of some cryptic billboards showing a zoomed in eyeball around town. People immediately drew the conclusion that it's a Catahoula, which in my opinion is a beautiful dog. And the state dog of Louisiana.

I know some fans wanted to see the Albino Alligator adopted, but I think the Catahoula is a great idea. It's a really playful energetic breed and the kids will love it.

And of course, it's just a mascot. Ragin' Cajuns ain't going anywhere.

Perfect!!!! We always had bird dogs, Weimaraners.

That's awesome! I have a catahoula that's wild and crazy so we call her our Ragin' Cajun due to the Louisiana roots.

The nutria is more common in south Louisiana and would of been a very unique mascot. Missed opportunity there.

I will miss the Cayenne mascot! It's representative of your fiery fan base and competitive spirit. Dogs are cute and I understand making everything family friendly but the Pepper is cool...Is this some type of dig at the new dawg from Louisiana coming into the league or something the school's been considering for a while?

Cayenne was not remotely scary.

(10-31-2026 02:04 PM)LRdawg Wrote:  The nutria is more common in south Louisiana and would of been a very unique mascot. Missed opportunity there.

Two problems with that:

1) Who the hell would want to take a picture on the sideline with that?

2) Somebody would shoot it.

Or eat it. Nutria gumbo!

It's a delicacy in Rust-on!

One of the finest dogs I ever had was a Catahoula Cur...glass (blue) eye and all. Loved Ol' Snapper!

Good job, Cajuns, if this comes to pass. Uniquely Louisiana.

(10-31-2026 06:58 PM)LRdawg Wrote:  Or eat it. Nutria gumbo!

Justin “Does hawk make pretty good gumbo?”
Kid “oh, about like owl”

(11-02-2026 10:23 PM)Thegoldstandard Wrote:  

(10-31-2026 06:58 PM)LRdawg Wrote:  Or eat it. Nutria gumbo!

Justin “Does hawk make pretty good gumbo?”
Kid “oh, about like owl”

On a serious note, what meats typically not used in gumbo would be good?

Rabbit?
Lamb?
Frog Legs? (not a joke, I love frog legs. Our local grocery store serves them for lunch every Tuesday from the Deli).