Ohio State's 10-2 season would be outstanding for most schools but coming off a national championship last season made this one a bit disappointing for the Buckeyes. A third loss to a "lowly" American Conference team would be a disaster.
Louisiana was able to keep the game reasonably close but just didn't have enough talent to come away with the win.
Jeffrey Yatkowski's 19 yard field goal gave Louisiana a 3-0 lead but Dontre Wilson ran in for an Ohio State touchdown just a couple minutes later.
Midway through the second quarter Donatello Franz III put the Cajuns back on top with a three yard TD run but Wilson answered with a 99 yard kick return score. Ohio State would not trail again.
Less than 30 seconds of game time would pass before Ohio State's next score, a short run by QB Robby Porter that followed an interception and long return by CB Charles Williams.
The teams exchanged turnovers as Justice Barnette and Brandon Wilson picked off passes by Ohio State backup QB Chad Barbour, who replaced Porter after an undisclosed injury. D'Eriq Robinette lost a fumble in between and each team's kicker hit a field goal to make the score 24-13 Ohio State going into the fourth quarter.
Despite having essentially no passing game after Porter's injury Barbour and Wilson kept the offense moving on the ground.
Franz III got it closer with a six yard TD run with 4:28 left in the game. The two point attempt was batted down.
Ohio State extended their lead shortly after when Barbour ran for a 58 yard score.
Louisiana's ensuing possession ended in the red zone with Jordan McAlary's fourth down pass being batted down.
Ohio State ran out the clock.
"Tough to end a season with a loss." Porter Davis said. "It's been a fun ride though."
Louisiana finishes the season 12-2 while Ohio State finishes 11-2.
Louisiana out-gained Ohio State 459 yards to 253 on offense and out-possessed them nearly two to one but couldn't overcome turnovers, Ohio State's big plays and their failures in the red zone.
Louisiana receiver Mikey Porter Sr. set the school record for receptions in a season with 86 during the game.
Scoring
ULL|03|10|00|06|
19
OSU|07|14|03|07|
31
1Q ULL Yatkowski 19 Yd FG
1Q OSU Wilson 2 Yd run (Carter kick)
2Q ULL Franz III 3 Yd run (Yatkowski kick)
2Q OSU Wilson 99 kick return (Carter kick)
2Q OSU Porter 1 Yd run (Carter kick)
2Q ULL Yatkowski 20 Yd FG
3Q OSU Carter 38 Yd FG
4Q ULL Franz III 6 Yd run (2-Pt failed)
4Q OSU Barbour 58 Yd run (carter kick)
Key Player Stats
Passing: McAlary 31/43 341 1Int, Robinette 2/4 19
Rushing: Franz III 10/51 2TD, Jones 6/37, Hollins III 2/6, Palmero 1/4, Robinette 2/2
Receiving: Porter Sr 11/139, Carter 5/59, Palmero 3/48, Hollins III 2/34, Guerrero 4/29, Moody 3/28, Franz III 2/15, Jones 3/8
Tackles: Thomas 4, Walker 4
Sacks: Miggins 1
Takeaways: Barnette 1Int, Wilson 1Int, Miggins 1FF
Special Teams: Yatkowski 2/2FG 1/1XP 5KO 4TB, Christodoulou 2Pt 74Yds, Greenwood 3KR 52Yds 1PR 4Yds, Browne 3KR 44Yds
Passing: Porter 3/3 41Yds, Barbour 7/12 19Yds 2Int
Rushing: Barbour 9/126 1TD, Wilson 11/62 1TD, Oliver 1/5, Porter 5/0 1TD
Receiving: Clark 3/34, Hollins 3/26, Franklin 1/3, Baugh 1/0, Wilson 2/-3
Tackles: Brown 12, Burrows 9, Gandy 8
Sacks: Fine 2
Takeaways: Williams 1Int, Sapp 1FF, Huston 1FR
Special Teams: Carter 1/1FG 4/4XP 6KO 0TB, Causey 2Pt 78Yds 1 in 20, Wilson 1KR 99Yds 1TD, Joseph 2PR 15Yds
Coach Davis' Players of the Game
RB Donatello Franz III | DE Courtney Miggins
Next Game
OFFSEASON