Louisiana Dominates ULM 30-3, Punches Ticket To Bowl

Louisiana's Ragin' Cajun football team went into Monroe Saturday needing to beat ULM to punch their ticket to the New Orleans Bowl. They did more than win. They dominated, winning the contest 30-3.

Playing under a hard, cold rain, Louisiana's defense outscored ULM's offense with two defensive touchdowns of their own.

"It's nothing but liquid sunshine out here," said a smiling coach Mark Hudspeth after the win. "We've been improving. This is just another step in our improvement."

An early interception by Cajuns cornerback Savion Brown gave Louisiana the ball on the ULM side of midfield, leading to an Elijah McGuire 1 yard touchdown.

Once Louisiana had the lead, they never looked back.

Louisiana linebacker Otha Peters forced a fumble in the second quarter that sat on the wet turf of Malone Stadium. Ragin' Cajun defensive lineman Trev Miller scooped it up for a 73 yard defensive touchdown.

With a 14-3 lead, Otha Peters made another big play, scoring a 29 yard fumble return for a touchdown after defensive lineman Karmichael Dunbar forced a Warhawk fumble.

In total, the Cajun defense forced 5 ULM turnovers, holding the Warhawks to 147 total yards.

"I'm proud of the kids to come out here like this and play so well in these conditions," said Hudspeth. "I'm proud of this team."

Louisiana's offense finished with 240 total yards, all rushing.

McGuire eclipsed the century mark, rushing for 110 yards on 28 carries. He also surpassed 1,000 rushing yards on the season, the third straight year he's done so.

Neither team had success throwing the ball in the weather conditions, as the Warhawks only finished with 31 passing yards, all of which came in the final 5 minutes of regulation.

Perhaps the most important aspect of the victory is the number 6. With their 6th win, Louisiana is going to a Bowl game, presumably the R&L Carrier's New Orleans Bowl to face Southern Miss (6-6).

The New Orleans Bowl can't officially announce their matchup until tomorrow, but multiple sources confirm the Cajuns will play the Golden Eagles in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Saturday, December 17th.