Cincinnati’s first play from scrimmage was a 25 yard run by Rian Robertson, a sign of things to come for the usually stout Louisiana defense. They did manage to stop that drive, dropping Robertson for a loss of five on a third down screen and forcing a punt.
Donatello Franz III found the endzone on the Cajuns ensuing possession, scoring on a ten yard run that he looked to be stopped on a few times.
“He’s a hard runner, doesn’t give up on a play and we love that about him.” Senior center Ryan Hoefeld said when asked about the powerful run.
Following punts by each team Cincinnati QB Javon Harrison sparked a scoring drive with a 33 yard run. A few plays later Nate Scott plunged into the endzone from a yard out.
D’Eriq Robinette scored on a 13 yard catch and run from Jordan McAlary early in the second quarter to make it 14-7 Cajuns.
Harrison knotted it back up a few minutes later with a one yard scoring run of his own. He picked up 22 on the ground and completed a 16 yard pass to Mark Barr to key the drive. Scott added a 15 yard run as well.
Louisiana’s next possession ended on a failed fake field goal when Robinette had to throw the ball away after backup tight end Bryan Benson II appeared to run the wrong route.
Delmond Boudreaux picked off a Harrison pass with 33 seconds left in the half, keeping the Bearkats from scoring and setting up a 25 yard McAlary touchdown pass to Mikey Porter Sr that made it 21-14 at the break.
After a punt ended Louisiana’s first possession of the second half Cincinnati cut into the lead with a 25 yard field goal by Antoine Hunter.
Louisiana botched a field goal attempt early in the fourth quarter when McAlary, in for a winded Robinette who had played QB on the possession, bobbled the snap and was tackled before he could do anything with the ball. The play had the look of another fake.
The next score didn’t come until there were six minutes left in the fourth quarter and Harrison put Cincinnati on top with an eight yard touchdown run. The drive covered 69 yards in eight plays with Harrison throwing for 29 and rushing for 27.
After a 27 yard run by Robinette McAlary completed a 14 yard pass to Joeseph Hollins III. McAlary then connected with Justin Carter for a gain of 15 before losing 12 on a sack. Backup RB Cristian Bradley then introduced himself to the Cincinnati crowd, catching a pass for a gain of 23 then another for a 19 yard touchdown with 3:38 left to play. Yatkowski’s kick made it 28-24 Cajuns.
Cincinnati was driving when Early Reid strip sacked Harrison and Curtis Bolden scooped the ball off the turf.
McAlary put the game away a few plays later with a 12 yard touchdown run. Hollins III picked up 28 yards on first down to start the drive.
Harrison moved the ball easily against a prevent defense but the Louisiana defense stepped up late to keep them out of the endzone and McAlary kneeled twice to end the game.
Porter Davis was asked about the fake field goals after the game.
“Those were both fakes.” He answered honestly. “Obviously we had some issues on them and they didn’t work. We don’t second guess that stuff. Those are the plays where if they don’t work we’re idiots and uf they do work you’re all (expletive) our (expletive). So, we don’t second guess those.”
Cincinnati totaled 449 yards of offense in the loss with 235 of that coming on the ground.
“We’re going to watch the film and it’s going to be painful but we’re going to watch it and learn and get better.” Davis said of the poor defensive performance.
Louisiana ran for 100 yards and threw for 362 with no turnovers.
“Nice balance, clean game. Offense was good today.” Davis explained.
When asked about the six sacks the offense absorbed: “That’s a problem. Has been. We’re going to have to address that for sure.
Louisiana will host South Florida next week.
Game Media

FRANZ III SCORES A FIRST QUARTER RUSHING TOUCHDOWN

HARRISON RUNS FOR A LONG GAIN

ROBINETTE FIGHTS HIS WAY INTO THE ENDZONE

BOUDREAUX PICKS OFF A HARRISON PASS

PORTER SR FIGHTS FOR A TD PASS

HARRISON SCORES A FOURTH QUARTER TD FOR CINCINNATI

CRISTIAN BRADLEY SCORES LATE, PUTTING LOUISIANA ON TOP BY FOUR

MCALARY SEALS THE DEAL WITH A RUSHING TOUCHDOWN
Scoring
ULL|07|14|00|14|
35
CIN|07|07|03|07|
24
1Q ULL Franz III 10 Yd run (Yatkowski kick)
1Q CIN Scott 1 Yd run (Hunter kick)
2Q ULL Robinette 13 Yd pass from McAlary (Yatkowski kick)
2Q CIN Harrison 1 Yd run (Hunter kick)
2Q ULL Porter Sr 25 Yd pass from McAlary (Yatkowski kick)
3Q CIN Hunter 25 Yd FG
4Q CIN Harrison 8 yd run (Hunter kick)
4Q ULL Bradley 19 Yd pass from McAlary (Yatkowski kick)
4Q ULL McAlary 12 Yd run (Yatkowski kick)
Key Player Stats

Passing: McAlary 24/35 333 3TD, Robinette 3/4 29
Rushing: Franz III 9/48 1TD, Hollins III 3/33, Robinette 7/32, Bradley 1/11, Porter Sr 1/5, McAlary 8/-29 1TD
Receiving: Porter Sr 4/67 1TD, Bradley 4/58 1TD, Carter 5/57, Palmero 4/50, Guerrero 2/49, Moody 3/31, Robinette 2/26, Hollins III 2/21
Tackles: Wilson 10, Barnette 8
Sacks: Bolden 1, Reid 1
Takeaways: Boudreaux 1 Int, Reid 1FF, Bolden 1FR
Special Teams: Yatkowski 5/5XP 6KO 6TB, Christodoulou 2Pt 66Yds, Greenwood 2KR 50Yds 1PR 6Yds, Browne 1KR 27Yds

Passing: Harrison 23/29 214 1Int
Rushing: Harrison 18/93 2TD, Scott 10/78 1TD, Robertson 8/43, Carter 1/13, Perry 1/8
Receiving: Barr 7/71, Scott 4/64, Wheatley 4/62, Ryan 1/13, Robertson 3/5, Robinson 1/3
Tackles: Beck 9, Hadley 6, Johnson 6, Rivas 6
Sacks: Barnes 1, Beck 1, Dowdell 1, Mendoza 1, Wilson 1
Takeaways: N/A
Special Teams: Hunter 1/1FG 3/3XP, Clemens 5KO 1TB 2Pt 69Yds, Carter 2PR 8Yds
Coach Davis' Players of the Game
QB Jordan McAlary | DE Early Reid
Next Game

3-3(1-1) | 5-1(2-0)
Saturday October 14th 2017 1:00PM