Cajuns Fall Seconds Short of a Game-Winning Score and 2-0 Start
Saturday, Sept. 11, 2004
RUSTON - Louisiana Tech's Ryan Moats proved to be too much for Nevada on Monday, rushing for 257 yards and three scores. Moats was too much for Louisiana-Lafayette on Saturday as well.
His 258-yard performance and a touchdown prevented the Cajuns from getting their second win of the season.
Moats also added 13 receiving yards in the Bulldogs (2-0) 24-20 victory over the Cajuns (1-1) at Joe Aillet Stadium in Ruston.
His 258-yard ground game is the fourth highest total by an opponent in Cajuns history. Tech's Jason Davis and Bobby Ray Tell rushed for 302 and 264 yards, respectively. Auburn's Bo Jackson also had 290 yards rushing against the Cajuns.
Despite Moat's performance, the Cajuns were still in position to win the game.
The defense stopped Tech on the UL 33 and the Bulldogs elected to punt. Louisiana-Lafayette gained possession, down four, on its own 11 yard-line with one timeout and 4:18 to play.
Jerry Babb, who earlier led the Cajuns to a 20-17 lead, began the Cajuns march toward the win.
Babb threw 14 times, completing nine. He also rushed three times, twice picking-up first downs on fourth down plays. The final pass was a completion to Dwight Lindon for six yards to the Tech seven yard-line.
Time expired before the Cajuns could spike the ball for one last shot at the end zone.
Babb completed 32-of-54 passes for 327 yards and a touchdown, and rushed 10 times for 33 yards and a score. Bill Sampy collected the fourth 100-yard receiving game of his career with eight catches for 107 yards. He was the recipient of a 59-yard bomb from Babb.
After falling behind 17-0, it appeared the Cajuns would be to far behind to be in position for a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter. In fact, if not for the Cajuns defense early, UL would have been in a deeper hole.
The Cajuns dodged a bullet on Louisiana Tech's first three possessions. The Bulldogs drove inside the Cajuns 10 yard-line three straight times only to come away empty handed.
C.C. Brown forced a fumble after Tech's Erick Newman picked-up a 15-yard reception. Terryl Fenton hopped on the loose ball at the Cajuns three yard-line to stop the series.
Following a punt by the Cajuns, Tech moved downfield quickly. Ricky Thomas ended the drive with an interception on the Cajuns eight-yard line.
Following another punt by the Cajuns, Moats helped the Bulldogs penetrate the Cajuns red zone again. It was Moats' fumble, though, that led to a third Cajuns takeaway. Anthony Hills forced the fumble, and then came away with the loose ball to thwart yet another threat.
After a nine-yard punt by the Bulldogs, the Cajuns offense took over on the 25 yard-line. UL mounted a drive into Tech territory with several completions by Babb. Babb's crucial third-and-10 pass to B.J. Crist for 18 yards brought the Cajuns to the Tech 30-yard line at the close of the first quarter.
The start of the second quarter saw Babb's pass go through the hands of Travis Smothers and intercepted by Michael Johnson.
Moats erupted for a 52-yard touchdown at 13:26 of the second quarter; however, the play was brought back after a penalty was called on Tech for an illegal block. The Tech drive continued, but stalled at the Cajuns four yard-line. Brad Osteicher converted the short field goal to put Tech on the board.
Tech put two second quarter touchdowns on the board very quickly.
Three plays netted 47 yards and a score. Donald Allen connected on a 29-yard pass to Freddie King, before hitting Erick Franklin with a 19-yard touchdown pass.
The following drive saw Moats set-up his own 13-yard touchdown run with a 13-yard reception. Tech needed six plays and 2:37 to cover 41 yards for the score.
The Cajuns tried to salvage the first half with a long drive late in the second quarter. Babb led the Cajuns on an 11-play, 69-yard scoring drive in 2:24 seconds.
The drives key play came on fourth-and-five from the 27 yard-line. Babb avoided a sack deep in the backfield and scrambled to his right, finding Chester Johnson for seven yards and a first down.
Babb completed seven-of-eight passes for 72 yards, but it was his one-yard diving touchdown which closed the Tech lead to 17-7 at the half.
The Cajuns took the opening kick-off of the second half 58 yards on 12 plays. The 3:58 drive ended on a successful 41-yard field goal by Sean Comiskey. Comiskey's first triple of the season closed the Tech lead to 17-10.
Louisiana's drive was aided by the ground attack. Through the first half, the Cajuns had just 18 yards rushing on 12 carries. To open the second half, UL rushed for 35 yards, including a 15-yard dash by Chester Johnson and an 11-yard scramble by Babb.
The Cajuns stormed back on their next possession to tie the game. Louisiana traveled 84 yards on five plays in 1:46.
Babb completed three passes, with his last connection a 59-yard touchdown strike to Sampy.
Momentum was clearly in the Cajuns favor and the large gathering of Cajuns fans inspired the team. The section of Cajuns faithful cheered loudly and helped the team comeback.
The Bulldogs intercepted Babb at the Cajuns 20-yard line and appeared to be headed toward another score, but the Cajuns defense allowed only five yards in three downs.
Osteicher's 42-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Ken Haynes and returned by Antwain Spann 57 yards to the Bulldogs 13-yard line.
UL lost two yards on three plays and settled for Comiskey's second field goal, a 33-yard conversion, to take their first lead of the game, 20-17.
Tech responded with a long drive to regain the lead. Moats carried the ball six times on the Cajuns 13-play, 86-yard scoring drive. Back-up quarterback Matt Kubik scored on a three-yard run at 10:49 to give Tech a 24-20 lead.
<a href='http://www.ragincajuns.com/football/Recaps/2004/091104atLaTech.htm' target='_blank'>LINK</a>
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