Louisiana’s offense racked up 505 total yards and the defense held South Florida to just 225 total yards as the Cajuns improved to 6-1 overall with a 38-17 win in Lafayette.
South Florida managed just 11 first downs while Louisiana picked up 20. USF’s biggest offensive threats, QB Michael Davis (15/22 183Yds 1TD 1Int) and WR Ardarius Stewart (2Rec 61Yds 1TD) were mostly held in check. Stewart did add 166 yards in the return game, nearly scoring on a kick return.
After forcing USF to punt on their first possession Jordan McAlary led out the offense after the punt rolled out of bounds at the one yard line. The Cajuns were up to the task, putting together an 11 play, 99 yard drive and topped it off with a two yard touchdown run by Donatello Franz III. McAlary was 4/4 on the drive and also ran for 10 yards.
Stewart returned the ensuing kickoff 97 yards to the ULL three yard line, setting up his offense for a game tying TD. It wasn’t met to be as Early Reid popped RB Rocky Watkins who coughed up the ball, allowing Tracy Walker to scoop it up.
The teams exchanged punts before the Cajuns increased their lead to 14-0 via a 25 yard McAlary to Justin Carter touchdown pass midway through the second quarter.
Jeffrey Yatkowski made it 17-0 with a 42 yard field goal late in the half.
USF was able to strike quickly before halftime with Davis connecting with Stewart on a 15 yard score with three seconds left before the break. A 46 yard Davis to Stewart pass set up the score.
Louisiana was able to extend their lead on their first possession of the second half when D’Eriq Robinette lined up at QB and ran in for an eight yard score. Robinette caught a 17 yard pass from McAlary on the previous play.
USF made it 24-10 with a 28 yard field goal by freshman kicker Tyler Lane.
Things got a bit nutty after that.
McAlary was picked off by USF sophomore CB Matt Johnson who returned it for a touchdown. On the next offensive play for Louisiana Johnson got McAlary again. On the next play Delmond Boudreaux took the ball back, picking off Davis on the right sideline.
Three plays later McAlary hooked up with Mikey Porter Sr for a 44 yard touchdown pass, putting Louisiana up 31-17 with under a minute left in the third quarter.
After stopping USF on fourth down to start the fourth quarter Louisiana extended their lead on a three yard TD run by Joeseph Hollins III.
Another fourth down stop allowed the Cajuns to run out the clock and close out a 38-17 win.
McAlary threw for 408 with a pair of TDs and a pair of picks in the win. Seth Palmero (4/95) and Mikey Porter Sr (5/82/1TD) were the top receivers.
The running game was split up between Franz III (6/31/1TD), Robinette (7/27/1TD) and Hollins III (5/27/1TD).
“Nice, complete game. All phases and whatnot. A few big plays we gave up and a couple turnovers but good game overall.” Porter Davis said following the Cajuns win.
Game Media
FRANZ III SCORES A FIRST QUARTER RUSHING TOUCHDOWN
STEWART IS SHOVED OUT OF BOUNDS JUST SHORT OF A KICK RETURN TD
REID FORCES A FUMBLE
CARTER FIGHTS INTO THE ENDZONE FOR A TD
STEWART BREAKS FREE FOR A SCORE
JOHNSON SCORES ON A PICK SIX FOR USF
JOHNSON PICKS OFF MCALARY A SECOND TIME
BOUDREAUX GETS THE BALL BACK FOR THE CAJUNS
PORTER SR FINDS THE ENDZONE
ROBINETTE SLIDES TO RUN OUT THE CLOCK
Scoring
USF|00|07|10|00|
17
ULL|07|10|14|07|
38
1Q ULL Franz III 2 Yd run (Yatkowski kick)
2Q ULL Carter 25 Yd TD pass from McAlary (Yatkowski kick)
2Q ULL Yatkowski 41 Yd FG
2Q USF Stewart 15 Yd pass from Davis (Lane kick)
3Q ULL Robinette 8 Yd run (Yatkowski kick)
3Q USF Lane 28 Yd FG
3Q USF Johnson 22 Yd pick six (Lane kick)
3Q ULL Porter Sr 44 Yd pass from McAlary (Yatkowski kick)
4Q ULL Hollins III 3 Yd run (Yatkowski kick)
Key Player Stats
Passing: McAlary 21/29 408 2TD 2Int
Rushing: Franz III 6/31 1TD, Robinette 7/27 1TD, Hollins III 5/27 1TD, Beach 2/8, McAlary 4/4
Receiving: Palmero 4/95, Porter Sr 5/82 1TD, Guerrero 2/51, Moody 3/51, Hollins III 2/42, Franz III 2/36, Carter 2/34 1TD, Robinette 1/17
Tackles: Walker 6, Miggins 5
Sacks: Miggins 2
Takeaways: Boudreaux 1 Int, Reid 1FF, Walker 1FR
Special Teams: Yatkowski 1/1FG 5/5XP 7KO 5TB, Christodoulou 1Pt 40Yds, Greenwood 3KR 66Yds 1PR 7Yds, Browne 1KR 12Yds, Walker 1PR 28Yds
Passing: Davis 15/22 183 1TD 1Int
Rushing: Tice 13/25, Watkins 3/13, Davis 6/4
Receiving: Stewart 2/61 1TD, Richardson 5/52, Marshall 2/31, Benjamin 4/28, Tice 1/8, Ricks 1/3
Tackles: Childs 5, Godwin 5, Hawkins 5, Myrick 5
Sacks: Godwin 1, Webb 1
Takeaways: Johnson 2 Int (1TD)
Special Teams: Lane 1/1FG 2/2XP 4KO 0TB, Moore 4T 187Yds, Stewart 2KR 153Yds 1PR 13Yds
Coach Davis' Players of the Game
QB Jordan McAlary | FS Tracy Walker
Next Game
6-1(3-0) | 5-1(2-0)
Saturday October 21st 2017 1:00PM 
